On the morning of Friday, June 14, Hawthorn celebrated the culmination of a wonderful year focused on friendship, charity, joy, and resilience in the Lower School with our Closing Ceremony in the Atrium. After a warm introduction and welcome, each student in Grades 1 to 7 was introduced to the stage by quoting her words of pride about her year. She then received a completion certificate to the applause of her schoolmates and their families. Honour Roll Certificates and Excellence Roll pins were also awarded in the Grades 6 and 7 classes. Here is a small sprinkling of a few of the words that the LS girls chose to encapsulate their 2023-2024 school year:
‘I learned so much more than I used to know.’
‘We have good friends and teachers. I love them.’
‘My favourite experience this year was when I came here.’
‘Hawthorn has opened my mind to things and taught me to be a better friend.’
‘This school has taught me so many virtues that have helped grow in my faith and in my everyday life. This school has not only given me friends but also a family that I can cherish forever.’
Special achievement awards included the ‘Constructing the Universe’ math enrichment classes for Grades 4 to 7, for which Lucia (Gr.7) conquered the challenge of constructing the cosmological circle, the symbol of Divine Wisdom restored to the earth, using compass and straightedge, without being given any of the steps of its geometric construction.
Spirit of Service Awards recognized qualities of outstanding generosity, initiative, and responsibility and were presented to Carina (Gr.1), Audree (Gr.2), Emma (Gr.3), Sena (Gr.4), Fatima (Gr.5), Maria (Gr.6), Marianna (Gr.7).
The Julie Bonneville Music Award medal for positive contributions to the music programme was awarded to Paola (Gr.6), Clare (Gr.6), and Marianna (Gr.7).
Grade 7 Outstanding All-Round Student Award honoured an ensemble of exemplary achievement in academics, extra-curriculars, character development, and service and was presented to Maria Paula and Marianna.
A farewell and words of wisdom were given to the entire Gr. 7 class who now graduate from Lower to Upper School. Elaina, chosen by her peers to represent them, gave the Gr. 7 Valedictorian Address, followed by a slideshow highlighting Gr. 7 memories.
Tiffany Zupan, Interim Head of Academics, congratulated the LS graduates on reaching this significant milestone in their academic journey, commended them for their hard work, effort, and perseverance in overcoming challenges with resilience and joy, and wished them further flourishing in the Upper School. In a round of thank you’s to all Lower School teachers for nurturing their students with dedication, patience, and understanding, Hawthorn’s Head of School, Irian Flores de Medina, named the LS Teacher of the Year recipient as Maggie Hamza.
The 2023-24 House Cup was earned by Nightingale House.Finally, after a rousing rendition of our school song, Forever in Our Hearts, ice cream for all capped off this beautiful celebration of the Lower School’s 2023-2024 year.
Happy Summer everyone!
