Class of 2025 Graduation Celebrations

On Friday 9th May, the whole Abbey College Cambridge community came together to reflect and celebrate the achievements of our Year 13 leavers in a graduation ceremony held in The Great Hall at Homerton College, University of Cambridge.

Featuring awards and celebrations of educational excellence – all backed with a student-led live music performance from Yichen, Cloris & Kun – the ceremony not only focused on the academic achievements of the cohort, but it also gave students a chance to reflect on the holistic aspect of their journeys.

Setting the ceremony’s events in motion, a heartfelt opening address was given to attendees by Principal Dr. Ellen Hesse, shedding light on the students’ accomplishments, with a call to go forth and spread the Abbey College Cambridge legacy of communal empowerment – an important sentiment that is woven into the DNA of the college. Lord Simon Woolley, Principal of Homerton College at Cambridge University, also attended the ceremony and delivered an inspiring address filled with praise and encouragement for the graduates.  We were delighted to welcome Lord Simon Woolley, Principal of Homerton College, Univeristy of Cambridge, to address the students before the annual award presentation to the Class of 2025.

Speaking at the event, Ellen Hesse, said: “Class of 2025, congratulations on all of your achievements. During your time with us, you set sail on an exciting ocean of opportunity, both academic and personal, embarking on a voyage of self-discovery.

“You bravely trusted us to lose sight of the shore and you were encouraged to set sights on one of life’s true wonders – new horizons. You have all returned to port transformed, enriched by new experiences, wiser from what you have learned about yourself, more confident and more deeply connected to the community around you.”

Lord Simon Woolley,addressed the graduating students and said: “Today’s celebration is like receiving the Golden Ticket as in the book Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; you have been on a journey of discovery and have now been afforded the Golden Ticket. You need to use that ticket to open up opportunities, to open up new perspectives and discoveries. When you hold that Golden Ticket, you need to think about what you will do with the opportunity. You will be able to run with it, driven by the values you have gained and be the best you.”

After the ceremony, students, family and staff enjoyed a reception at Abbey College Cambridge.