Young leaders celebrated at ISS graduation ceremonies |17 July 2025
Young leaders celebrated at ISS graduation ceremonies
International School Seychelles (ISS) marked a day of pride and celebration on Wednesday July 9 with a series of graduation ceremonies at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS), honouring students in Year 6, Year 11, and Year 13 for their academic achievements and personal growth.
The day began with a morning ceremony for Year 6 students, marking the end of their primary education. Parents, teachers, and guests gathered to celebrate the children's progress and readiness for the transition into secondary school. The event featured student performances and speeches, with one of the highlights being the presentation of the Board of Governors’ Award to Roan Harray, who was recognised for his all-round excellence and embodiment of school values. The award included a rotating trophy and a cash prize of R4,000.
In the afternoon, the spotlight turned to the older students with a combined graduation ceremony for Year 11 and Year 13. This event celebrated the end of the IGCSE journey for Year 11s and the conclusion of Sixth Form for Year 13s, many of whom are now preparing to attend universities abroad.
Among the top honours presented was the Year 13 Board of Governors’ Award, given to Shalini Raja in recognition of her outstanding academic record and leadership. She received a trophy and R8,000 in prize money. The most prestigious accolade of the evening, the President’s Cup, was awarded to Annie Yang. She received a laptop as part of the award and was commended for her excellence in academics, leadership and service.
The vice-president of Seychelles, Ahmed Afif, was in attendance and personally presented the President’s Cup to Annie Yang. In his address, he warmly congratulated the graduates and commended ISS for the excellent job it continues to do in educating and shaping the nation’s youth.
The ceremonies were also marked by addresses from ISS’s executive head, Elodie Vallantine, who commended the students for their achievements and character. Speaking at both events, she passed on the following message:
“Today, we celebrate not just academic achievements, but the people our students have become – compassionate, principled, and courageous young individuals who are ready to contribute meaningfully to the world. Our motto, ‘You are not born for yourself but for the world’, continues to guide everything we do at ISS.”
Both graduation ceremonies served as more than just milestones – they reflected the school’s commitment to nurturing leadership, responsibility, and global citizenship among its students.
The day concluded with smiles, applause, and hopeful anticipation for the bright futures ahead of ISS’s young graduates.
Contributed