OSC's Class of 2008 graduates
25 students from 15 different countries graduated from the Overseas
School of Colombo recently at the OSC auditorium. This was the 25th
graduation in the school's 51-year history.
"The Class of 2008 really do represent the school motto of 'Unity in
Diversity' and in fact we have Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh,
Canada, India, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, South
Africa, Sri Lanka (Muslim, Sinhalese and Tamil), Switzerland, UK and
USA, represented here today", said the Head of School, Laurie McLellan.
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L - R : Shohane Vannitamby, Shevan Vannitamby, Laurie McLelan,
Anuradha Illeperumaarachchi and Amanda Illeperumaarachchi |
After lighting the traditional oil lamp to the accompaniment of
Kandyan musicians, the speeches began. The opening speech was made by
Lavanya Jeyaratnam who was chosen by her peers to speak on behalf of the
Class of 2008.
Her splendid speech was followed by the Faculty speaker, chosen by
the students. Head of English Foss, used Dante's Inferno as the core of
his speech in which he encouraged graduates never to be indifferent
about important issues.
The guest speaker who gave the commencement address was MD of North
Indian Ocean Trading (Pvt) Ltd Rex Hatherley. He encouraged students to
take risks and find the one passion they enjoy most and try to work in
that area.
A musical interlude saw the class of 2008, ably led by Candido
Bousquet, sing "Stand By Me'. The valedictorian address was given by
Saliya Ranchagoda, a scholarship student who managed to score the
highest marks of the graduating class.
Saliya used humour to compare the differences between a more
traditional Sri Lankan education and the IB education at OSC. He has
clearly been heavily influenced by both.
McLellan, rounded up the speeches by commenting on the individual
talents of the students that make the school very proud to call them
graduates of OSC.
Students at OSC graduate with a fully accredited, American style High
School Diploma and the vast majority also achieve the International
Baccalaureate Diploma; the best access to quality universities
throughout the world. OSC has been offering the IB Diploma for 25 years
with many teachers being examiners and trainers.
This clearly benefited the Class of 2008.
The graduates are heading off to universities in Australia, Canada,
India, Singapore, South Africa, UK and USA. |
