Almost every week, a student will drop me a line to say “Just to let you know. I have been accepted for …..” or “I have just accepted a place at….” – it’s a great part of the job.
This week for example I received an email from a student who confirmed that she had accepted a place at Bocconi University in Milan, to study Economics and on the same day another student dropped me an email to say that she had attained a 20% scholarship at her chosen university – again in Italy – the largest scholarship they offer. It really is a great part of the job.
On Thursday I received something that really made me smile and reflect on the capabilities of our students and how sometimes I under-estimate them. In Year 13 we have a student who is really keen to study agricultural business management at university, and two years ago – taking a loan from his parents (which he has now paid off) bought himself some farmland, which over the last couple of years he has managed (in case you are wondering his family is not in farming). He struck up a deal to supply a specific type of oat to horse stud farm, and has for the last two years been managing his own mini farm. I learned this while we walked together up Kilimanjaro, and I asked in passing just the other day how things we going.
On Thursday this is the response I received through an email that was entitled “Dreams Come True”
“Good afternoon Sir,
As you ask me today about my crops and fields, and also inspired by the Agriculture Business course that I’m doing, I went to see my fields and took a photo for you, that I’m sending. Rain for a few last days did a job.... now we are waiting for the harvesting!”
With everything that is happening in these unprecedented times, to regularly witness our students maintain forward momentum with their plans, keep seeing the positives in everything they are doing and not stop striving for their next step is both reassuring as a school teacher and as a parent.
On another note in regards to next steps, Year 12 and Pre-IB students and parents have been receiving emails from me in regards to virtual university campus tours and webinars. We are in the final stages of planning both student workshops and a Parents in Partnership online webinar and will be in touch with more information shortly. In the meantime this link below will take you to the UCAS website area that lists all of the virtual events happening in the coming weeks.
Stay safe and well, and keep washing your hands.
Mr. Matt Lennon
Head of IBDP