A stage comes to an end to open up, now more than ever, to the world. 2nd Year Baccalaureate Graduation

On 13 May, the 2nd Year Baccalaureate students celebrated their graduation in an event filled with emotion, memories and gratitude, bringing their time at Colegio Newman to a close.

With Dani Martín’s song “Dieciocho” as the soundtrack and dressed in their finest clothes, the 2nd Year Baccalaureate students entered the school assembly hall. There, moved family members, teachers and friends were waiting to share such an important day with them. After so many years of learning, friendship and growth within the school, the time had come to say goodbye to one stage and begin a completely new one.

Music and words of welcome

Once everyone was seated, the event began with a performance by the Newman choir, which sang a repertoire of three songs. This was followed by a speech from Juan Ramón, the headmaster, who welcomed those attending. In a brief address, he highlighted the importance of caring for what truly remains: love, friendship and the people with whom we share our lives. Once his speech had finished, he gave the floor to Javier Ortega Gallego, a Newman alumnus and the graduation sponsor.

The sponsor’s speech: memories and lessons learned

Javier Ortega Gallego was part of one of the first year groups at Newman. He is now a family man and remains closely connected to the school. He travelled expressly from Andalusia after receiving Gabi’s call to give the graduation speech as sponsor. 

In his speech, he thanked the families, teachers and leadership team for having carried the school forward while maintaining their effort and enthusiasm. He wanted to highlight how much studying at Newman had meant in his personal life, as it was here that he met many of his friends, his wife and teachers who continue to accompany him. During his address, he recalled that he was never “the most brilliant student”, but he was someone who became involved in every opportunity the school offered him. Little by little, through the small and big “yeses” he gave to what was placed before him, he has achieved great professional and personal success.

As graduation sponsor, he was keen to send a hopeful and inspiring message to the students. He told them that, despite the uncertainty they may feel when finishing Baccalaureate and the doubts about which path to choose, they should not be afraid of making mistakes. He encouraged them to be patient, to do what they are passionate about and to remain constant along that path. All this without forgetting that results and victories will not come quickly; they will have to work for them with effort.

Presentation of scholarships and students’ speech

Once the graduation sponsor’s speech had finished, the presentation of scholarships took place, a moment in which the students received recognition for all the effort and work they had put in during the Baccalaureate. Continuing with the event, the most moving moment of all arrived: the students’ own speech.

With humour and nostalgia, they looked back on their time through all the school stages. They spoke about Early Years and those teachers who had been “their second mothers”; about how they let their imagination fly during every Primary break, organising all kinds of events and competitions; and about the friendships that marked Secondary School. They described the Baccalaureate stage as the most intense years of their time at Newman, always marked by teamwork, shared life and moments both inside and outside the classroom. Although they acknowledged that it had been an academically demanding stage, they also defined it as the best years of their time at the school. Above all, they highlighted the play they prepared for Christmas as a great symbol of teamwork and unity. 

They did not forget to thank the teachers for having turned the classroom into a home, and said that they are going out into the world carrying with them little pieces of all those who have helped shape them. They also thanked their own families for having been by their side throughout each stage of their school learning. Uncertainty and excitement have accompanied them in equal measure at the start of this new stage, but with the certainty that the friendships they have built will go with them wherever they go. 

A final tribute full of emotion

The event ended with the tribute organised by the teachers. First, there was a musical performance by two teachers. Next, an audiovisual montage was played, featuring all the teachers they had had from Early Years through to Baccalaureate. Through images, they recalled their early childhood, childhood, adolescence and the beginnings of their youth. This was especially moving for the families and the students themselves, who were able to see their evolution through the different stages and understand who they were and who they have become.

Congratulations to everyone!