On Thursday 22 May, Carmel School celebrated the graduation of its 13th Diploma Programme cohort, with students, faculty, parents and distinguished guests in attendance in the auditorium. Two of our graduating class, Tamir Razon and Jack Diestel, acted as Masters of Ceremony, adding personal touches and humour throughout the proceedings. Luca Cohen-Dumani, also a graduate, delivered a particularly pertinent D’Var Torah message, reminding us all that life comes in cycles of work and rest – both equally important if we are to be successful. Our Vice Principal, Mr Kyle Ford, hosted the event with his usual flair and aplomb.
Our respected 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 and Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Hong Kong University, Brian Wong, delivered an impactful, passionate and inspiring address. We are grateful to these members of our community in Hong Kong who make such generous contributions to our school through their time and care.
The Grade 5 Choir entertained us with a moving and endearing performance during the ceremony while Hugo Yu and Rachelle Cheong provided delightful music as the guests took their seats before the proceedings. Special thanks must go to Ms Celia and Ms Yvonne for their help in preparing students for this ceremony.
This year’s graduate speeches were delivered by Tali Meoded, Ella Goldberg, Hinako Nishi and Alex Wigisser. Tali and Ella, as students who have been at Carmel school since the very beginning of their education, reflected on what school has meant to them and how it has provided them with a toolbox of skills for the future. Continuing on this theme, Hinako and Alex mused about the world their class will be entering into and the challenges they might face. The overall message was one of hope and determination – not just for their own futures but for the impact they might make and the ways in which they can help.
We then heard an address by Principal Mrs. Friedmann, who focused on the wonderful unity and resilience of this class of graduates. Her message dovetailed wonderfully with everything that all of the previous speakers had said, which really resonated with the audience. This entirely unplanned synthesis made for a cohesive and thought-provoking theme for the entire event. There is hope – despite the challenges the world faces – but we need to prioritise our humanity, integrity and communities to ensure that we are able to go forward into an uncertain future. 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.
Our last speaker was Aarussh Banerjee, also from the Class of 2025, offering a touching vote of thanks to the parents of this cohort. His heart-felt and genuine gratitude was echoed by the rest of the class, who all agree that their parents are a very large part of their success. This was made even more evident by the efforts of a small group of graduates' parents who organised the decor and delicious spread of food, for both the pre and post graduation celebrations.
Many thanks must go to Anna Wong and the whole Carmel School support staff for ensuring the success of this event, as well as to the Board of Directors and Parent Teacher Association members. Getting students to this point in their education is a joint effort that would not be possible without all of you. To all those families, friends and stakeholders who attended the ceremony, we thank you for your continued celebration of our school and our graduates.
Congratulations once again to our Class of 2025!
Miss Robyn Humphreys, DP Coordinator