On Wednesday afternoon we held the Year 9 Graduation Ceremony, celebrating students as they prepare to begin their journey into Key Stage 4. The Year 9 Graduation was a wonderful celebration and a great success, providing an enjoyable opportunity to recognise the achievements and growth of our pupils throughout key Stage 3.
It was a privilege to welcome a special guest, Leanne Cahill, whose inspiring words made the occasion even more memorable and encouraged our students as they prepare for the next stage of their journey. Leanne is the Chancellor of the University of Sunderland and is the CEO of retail company icon. She was born and raised in Sunderland, and a graduate of the University of Sunderland. She inspired the Year 9s by describing her career on the shop floor as a Marks and Spencer management trainee before specialising in finance. However, what encouraged the Year 9s the most was learning that Leanne attended Southmoor School as a student from 1988 to 1993!
The assembly was filled with a sense of pride, celebration, and community, making it a fitting way to mark this important milestone for our Year 9 students.
