St. George's School proudly celebrated 85 years of establishment, as well as education and curricular excellence on the 17th November 2022. This momentous occasion was marked at the school's Graduation Ceremony.
The morning buzzed with excitement from as early as 6 o' clock, as performers and graduating students prepared for the programme.Excited parents then started arriving to the International Convention Center (ICC) within the hour. As guests made their way to the Main Conference Hall, they were greeted with students' art pieces displayed for sale.
The event then began with the arrival of the guest of honour for the morning, Her Excellency Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines. To receive her were Mr. Janidi Jingan, the principal of St. George's School, along with Mr. NM Mubarak and other members of the school management team. As Her Excellency made her way to her seat, the audience stood at respectful attention, while onstage, the school choir was ready to begin the programme with the singing of the national anthem and the school song.
Following that, St. George's School then revealed its 85th Anniversary digital logo. The logo, which was created by our talented secondary student, Sarah Ehyam Enopia Ancero from Year 10B, was chosen as the winning logo for the 85th Anniversary logo competition held in September. The hand drawn logo was digitalized by the secondary section's art teacher, Cikgu Afiqah Hanum.
It was then time for the opening act. A medley of traditional dances were performed by students of the school, which left the audience oohing and aahing. The dances were a showcase of the multicultural wealth that have defined the school since its beginnings, paying tribute to Chinese, Malays, Indians and Filipinos, as just a few races that make up the student population. Then, the principal of St. George's School, Mr. Janidi Jingan, took to the podium to deliver his welcoming remarks and vote of appreciation towards parents and students who had supported the school through the pandemic and online learning months. Mr. Janidi also promised, on behalf of teachers and staff of the school, that St. George's would continue to strive to produce dutiful children of this nation. At the conclusion of his speech, the principal then confirmed our Year 6 and Year 11 students graduates. Graduating students roared as the moment they had joyously anticipated had arrived!
The principal of the school then presented a souvenir to the guest of honour for the day, Her Excellency Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines. Once pictures were taken, words of thanks exchanged, and all were seated, it was time for the kindergarten students to shine! Each kindergarten class presented cute dance numbers, earning themselves generous applause from the audience for the little ones' brave display of talent.
Graduation certificates were also presented to the Kindergarten 3A and 3B classes, as well as the seniors of the primary section, Year 6A and Year 6B, and to the seniors of the secondary section, Year 11A and Year 11B. The school did not forget high achievers from the graduating classes and presented merit awards to students who managed to place 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their respective classes.
As we came to the end of the ceremony, the graduating classes from each level went onstage. Heartfelt speeches were delivered by Hannah Isabelle Gordovez Rodil and Alayna Naira bte Azzulfa representing Kindergarten 3, Riczanne Nicole Dela Vega Rabano representing Year 6, and Van Persie Ferdinand, our Head Boy for the year, representing Year 11. Graduands then sang the concluding graduation song 'How Time Flies', a St. George's School original. However, a final performance caught the audience by surprise as Kool and the Gang's 'Celebration' blared from speakers and dancers once again took the stage! Those who could not fit on stage spilled out onto the floor, where they swayed side by side without missing a beat, successfully ending the morning on a high note.
Students, parents, and all in attendance were wished a blessed rest of the year. The celebration officially closed with the singing of St. George's School's school song, which stood as a reminder for all graduates to carry with them to the next chapter of their lives: that as forever St. Georgians, they should strive to be of service to all, with honour and love as their goal.
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