Being a part of The Print means you have to cover events happening at school. This ranges from hectic Sports Days to memorable Black and White dinners and all the way to formal MUN conferences. It is nothing short of enjoyable and exciting to be present there and cover the story. However, I had the honour of being there for the Outstanding Learner’s Award; I have to admit, it was the most prestigious event so far.
Before I discuss the afternoon itself, which roughly took under an hour, it is crucial to discuss what led to it even taking place. What happens behind the scenes to differentiate a handful of students from the rest, to make them, for the lack of a better word, outstanding? Simply put, it is their phenomenal academic achievements. For instance, our school had the highest number of awards (44) granted by Cambridge, an exceptional feat, across the Middle East and North Africa. Quite frankly, listing the awards our school got in sentence form is difficult – only a list will do it justice:
- Top in Kuwait for six Cambridge IGCSE subjects
- Second and third place in Kuwait for Best Across Seven Cambridge IGCSE
- First, second, and third place in Kuwait for Best Across Eight Cambridge IGCSE
- First, second, and third place in Kuwait for Best Across Nine Cambridge IGCSE
- Top in the World for Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics
- Top in the World for Cambridge International AS Level Mathematics
- First, second, and third place in Kuwait for Best Across Four Cambridge International
- AS Level
- First and second place in Kuwait for Best Across Three Cambridge International AS
- Level
- First and third place in Kuwait for Best Across Three Cambridge International A Level
- High Achievement awards across six Cambridge International AS Level subjects and
- Six Cambridge International A Level subjects
It is hard to look at those numbers and not reduce them to mere statistics, but as our head girl, Gurpreet, mentioned, a lot of hard work went into these achievements. Gurpreet told us how her ‘all-nighters have been redeemed’, a nod to the hours of past papers and studying that led to her receiving her second place in Kuwait for best across four subjects in
the AS level award and top in Kuwait for AS Biology. Zain, who was top in Kuwait for AS Biology, offered some advice on how she managed to go through the meticulous journey of revision: ‘push yourself to stay consistent, but don’t forget to take breaks doing what you love’.
Now, back to the atmosphere of the event itself. Standing there, with Tamara (another representative from The Print), it was hard not to recognise the majesty of the occasion. Sixth formers (and a few year 11s) walked into school with their parents eagerly following behind them; the Head Girl and Head Boy were stationed by the Mousetrap door, welcoming newcomers and guiding the students and parents to their respective seats. It was only a few minutes until Mr Marchant stood up on stage and began addressing the audience and calling students to get their awards. The roaring sound of applause rose after every name was called, not weakening once.
To be honest, Tamara and I briefly forgot why we were even there. As we saw our peers go on stage, all beaming and overjoyed, it was hard not to let our excitement and happiness for our fellow students supersede our journalistic duties. It seems we weren’t alone in this: Makar, who received third place in Kuwait for best across Eight subjects at IGCSE level and top in Kuwait for Physical Education, felt the same. ‘I felt incredibly honoured to walk the stage and celebrate not only my hard work and dedication, but also the achievements of my friends and peers’ was what he had to say when we interviewed him. It was when the last award was given, and the parents were sent out for refreshments, that Tamara and I got back to work.
After conducting numerous interviews for the video we were shooting (which can now be found on our Instagram!), we went out towards the refreshment area. Parents and students were now reunited and in warm discussion. Nancy, who got second place in the best across nine subjects in Kuwait at IGCSE level and high achievement in IGCSE Music, perfectly phrased the scene. Nancy was ‘really grateful for having the support from [her] family and celebrating [the award] with them’, a sentiment we are positive many others shared.
As the day drew to a close and everyone began exiting the school gates, Tamara and I met up in an office to discuss the content we had managed to obtain. In retrospect, I recall the excitement and happiness we both had at the moment and recognise it for what it is: being proud of our peers for each and every award they got. Whilst Tamara remembers the ‘lively atmosphere’ of the event, I remember it for something else: a shared point of pride for the whole NES body.
