Last week's International Baccalaureate Graduation Ceremony was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both the success of our 2017 graduates and the IB programme!

Five years ago, Jessie Fitzjohn was sitting at the same Graduation Ceremony, having recently completed the IB programme. Today she spoke to the graduates about life after IB, balance, perspective and the importance of prioritising your happiness and wellbeing. 

Following her completion of the IB Diploma, Jessie went on to gain a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours and is now working towards her PhD in diagnosing breast cancer using structural mechanics, nonlinear vibrations and advanced informatics.

Jessie spoke honestly about the challenges of university, she didn’t sugar coat her experiences but she did let the girls know that IB gives students a head start at university, allowing more time to get involved in university life. 

The two-year IB programme doesn’t limit opportunities, rather it opens doors; it teaches excellent time management skills, develops critical thinking, encourages students to broaden their horizons and consider local, national and global challenges. The programme presents a holistic education that facilitates students to not only develop and excel on an academic level but empowers students to become globally conscious individuals that have the tools to solve some of our world’s most confronting challenges.

Jessie closed the ceremony by challenging the graduates not to ask themselves what career they want but rather, what problems they wanted to solve, what motivated them and what changes they wanted to see in the world. “Young people need to stop choosing a job or career and start choosing a purpose.”