Year 11 Graduation

On 27th June we were delighted to host our first every Yr 11 Graduation Ceremony in a Marquee in the school grounds. This was a very special occasion for students, their families and the school to come together to celebrate their achievements and successes during their time with us.

We believe that those achievements and successes are not just based on academic performance. The graduation was about celebrating students’ as a whole, looking at their successes outside of the classroom too. There are countless opportunities for students to engage in the wider school life here at Felixstowe School and we believe it is crucial to encourage and recognise their involvement to help them build a multitude of skills for the rest of their educational journey and for later in life. Engaging with these opportunities not only helps to create a holistic culture but drives students to inspire others, to have a positive influence on each other and to make the right choices to support one another.

Students in Year 11 have all been working towards a ‘Ribbons of Excellence’ framework which has been designed to celebrate achievements across the board. There are 6 ribbons in total, each with their own set of criteria including: Employability, Academic Progress, Creative, Sports and Community. Those students who have fully immersed themselves in school life and achieved all 5 ribbons will be awarded the Full Honours Ribbon - there were 27 Full Honours students in total.

Students in each House were invited up onto stage to receive their Graduation Folder, embellished with their Ribbons of Excellence. Parents and carers watched on with pride as their child's name, along with a statement about their character, was read out by their respective Head of House.

The ceremony was brought to life with music from the Landguard Band as well as Yr 11's very own West End Star, Katie Mitton. We were also honoured to have our guest speaker, Chris Melsa, talk through his life's journey in order to inspire our students as they look ahead to taking their next steps in their own educational journey.

Following the ceremony, guests were able to collect refreshments from the 6th Form Centre prepared and served by Mrs Jacob's Year 10 Hospitality students who looked incredibly professional in their black bow ties! We would also like to thank Nutshell's Tea Room for providing us with the delicious short bread biscuits. All of which, were enjoyed on the lawn whilst students and parents took photos in the Felixstowe School Caps and Gowns, marking a moment to remember!

By Mrs Lloyd