Signs of Graduation Week

Hi, it’s Charles Nolan here as we enter into Graduation week at your American International School.

It’s very much concentration not consternation as students sit exams, and everyone readies themselves for the big day on Thursday. The day begins at School with moving up celebrations on Thursday morning, and concludes with the formal Graduation ceremony and dinner at 7PM, at The American Club. It looks like a great day for all the American International School community, whereby we all get to celebrate the successes of the year together, both at school and the Graduation. I personally will be there all day and half the night – it’s a great sense of pride in the achievements of all our community. From the pre-schoolers entering into Elementary, Elementary to Middle School formative years, and High Schoolers moving towards and into Graduation, it’s all there to see on one day at your American International School.

Further sign of the New Year is our new sign outside on Pennant Hills Road. With a bit of late night activity, we erected the new sign at 7PM on Sunday evening, ready for both the last week and the New Year. Various local “artists” had “appended” our sign previously, but now it is up with our new Globe” logo. A further changing banner is to be added to the bottom, which will promote various opportunities and activities from time-to-time. The style and theme will be reflected throughout the school grounds, buildings and rooms in the New Year for a universal look-and-feel across the Carlingford campus. Just one visible sign to “ See the difference, that is your American International School”.

And an international graduation it is for the class of 2007 – coming from five countries, including Australia, and our first scholarship pupil graduates towards a College (and onwards) basketball career in the US. Jessica Payne, one of our “graduating parents” put together a Press Release for the school on graduation – just one of the many unheralded activities that our parents provide to their school, each and every day. Thanks to Jessica, I have attached it here; and thanks to all those other parents, students and community members that perform extra-curricula activities enriching all our lives here at school.
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International Students Graduate Thursday 31 May
Thursday 31 May marks the end of High School and the beginning of adult life for six international students at the American International School, Sydney. Graduates from Brazil, China, Egypt, Sudan and Australia celebrate this week which is the end of the Northern Hemisphere School Calendar.

- Gordon resident, Daniel Emsermann is the only graduate born in Australia. At 12, his family moved to Sweden then to Japan where he studied at International Schools teaching International and American Curricula. Upon returning to Sydney mid-2006, Daniel continued his international studies completing his American Diploma this week. Daniel expects to continue his studies at university next year with his sights on ANU in Canberra or UNSW here in Sydney.

- Castle Cove resident, Julia Oliveira moved to Sydney with her family from Brazil in 2006. Julia hopes to continue her studies at TAFE before moving on to Macquarie University.

- Carlingford resident, Alexi Wolff, formerly a citizen of Tonga has recently become an Australian Citizen. Alexi has attended the AIS since 2003, the longest of the graduates.

- Blacktown resident, Ater Majok is originally from the Sudan. He has been earning his American Diploma while training for a U.S. basketball scholarship. A promising athlete, Ater is part of the IPASS (International Postgraduate Academic Sport Scholarship System) which currently helps future basketball stars earn the educational requirements needed to attain scholarships to American and International Universities. Ater heads to America in July to play basketball at university in Fairfield, Connecticut.

- Kellyville resident, Omar Zaher came to Sydney from Egypt. Omar is earning his Diploma with plans to apply for local and International University acceptance.

- Ryde resident, Angran Cui originally from China completed his graduation requirements in December 2006 and is currently working in Real Estate. Angran returns Thursday to receive formal recognition for his academic accomplishments at AIS.

The formal Graduation Ceremony and Dinner Thursday at the American Club at Circular Quay is preceded by a moving up celebration on Thursday morning at the American International School in Carlingford.
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Still plenty of opportunity to reschedule that workday to make the school ceremonies, and space still available for the Graduation Ceremony and Dinner (around 90 booked already). Spoil yourself, take pride in your own and the community’s achievements and celebrate with your community this Thursday.

And in the words of the Irish farewell:
"May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

See you on Thursday to celebrate “International education – though not a right, is surely an inspiration”.

Regards,
Charles