On Tuesday 26 May, Carmel School celebrated the graduation of its 14th Diploma Programme cohort, with students, faculty, parents and distinguished guests in attendance in the auditorium. Two of our graduating class, Annabelle and Lili, acted as Masters of Ceremony, adding personal touches and humour throughout the proceedings. Aviad, also a graduate, delivered a particularly pertinent D’var Torah message, reminding us all that G-d’s greatest gift to humanity is relationships – both with Him and with each other. Our Vice Principal, Mr. Kyle Ford, hosted the event with his usual flair and aplomb.
Our valued Chair of the Carmel School Board of Directors, Mr. Jonathan Zeman, began proceedings with some thought provoking opening remarks and then our special guest speaker – respected Historian and Scholar, Mr. Necati Bahadir Yahyagil – delivered a heartfelt, uplifting, and stimulating address, urging our students to follow in the footsteps of historical Jewish communities who have influenced the world despite the stacked odds. We are blessed by our involved and engaged community, without whom these important events would feel much smaller.
The Elsa High School Orchestra provided delightful music as the guests took their seats before the proceedings. Between the speeches the cast of the Elsa High School Musical performed alongside Casey as she took her final bow on the Carmel Stage.
This year’s graduate speeches were delivered by Sadie, Angus, Liora, and Nili. Sadie’s delightfully humorous recountings of her time at Carmel reminded us that she was a part of our community almost before birth. As perhaps our most thoroughly “Carmel” student, her insights into this school and learning environment were incredibly valuable and endearing. Our best is, indeed, good enough. Angus then had the auditorium in stitches as he reminded us that the most unlikely of people can end up mattering in our lives, and that a rocky start can sometimes evolve into something meaningful when we least expect it. Nili and Liora cemented Aviad’s message about relationships, focusing on how the people in our lives will help determine our next steps as we prepare for the future.
We then heard an address by our Principal Mrs. Friedmann who focused on the steadfast “grit” and resilience of this class of graduates. In her message Mrs. Friedmann reiterated how proud we are of this cohort or graduates, not only for their academic achievements but also for who they are as people and the joy their grade has brought to our school and community. She reminded us all that recognising and appreciating goodness - a core Jewish concept - involved actively paying back, or as we say today, “paying it forward”.
Our final graduate speakers were Maya and Ethan, also from the Class of 2026, offering a touching vote of thanks to the parents of this cohort. The heartfelt gratitude expressed by our graduates was shared by the entire class, who all acknowledged that their parents have been an integral part of their journey and achievements.
As a surprise right before conferment, Rabbi Avtzon presented the graduating class with individual copies of his newly completed Siddur La-am.
To the families, friends, and stakeholders who joined us for the ceremony, thank you for continuing to champion our school and celebrate our graduates.
Congratulations once again to our Class of 2026!