On Monday 19 December, we once again had the pleasure of hosting our annual awards ceremony at the St. Raphael resort in Limassol. The ceremony celebrated those students achieving the top marks for their Edexcel GCSE, International GCSE and A level subjects in this summer’s examinations.

The event was hosted by Jane Holliday, Academic Manager for Edexcel in Europe, and welcomed award students from across Cyprus who had achieved the highest mark of all Edexcel international students in their subjects, as well as their proud teachers and parents. Guest speakers Brian Olley (British Deputy High Commissioner) and Isabel Sutcliffe (Director of Regulation, Standards and Research at Edexcel) both gave speeches at the event.

Mr Olley paid tribute to students’ efforts, while noting the important roles played by parents and teachers - as well as Edexcel for providing an international benchmark with their examinations that allows students to compare their achievements with those of other students across the globe. Mr Olley also warned students to ‘beware celebrity and consumerist culture’, noting that their achievements are ‘greater, more meaningful, and more lasting, than the latest flashy gadgets’.

Isabel Sutcliffe, whose name appears on all Edexcel certificates, echoed Mr. Olley’s praise of students’ achievements, noting that for a nation of Cyprus’ size to have so many of the highest international achievers – ranking above ‘thousands of students who have entered from over 90 countries around the world’ – was an incredible commendation of their ability, hard work and intelligence, as well as the quality of their teachers.
 
Jane Holliday then announced the awards, with Mr. Olley personally handing out medals and commendations of achievement.

All in all there were:

• 163 awards achieved by 150 exceptional students
   
• Seven students who achieved the highest marks for their Edexcel exams internationally outright; 112 who claimed the joint highest international mark for their Edexcel exams; and 41 who achieved the highest mark in Cyprus
   
• Nine students who were awarded with top marks in two different subjects
   
• And two triple award winners: John-Andrew Papandreou, from the Grammar School, Nicosia, with top marks in International GCSE Maths, Chemistry and Geography; and Giovana N. Klefti, from the American Academy, Larnaca with the top marks for GCSE English, French and History.

The night concluded with a drinks reception and the chance for students to have personal photos taken with parents and friends, to commemorate a day sure to live long in their memories, and those of their parents and teachers.

See photos from the event here.