The journey to academic success is one of growth, resilience, and hard work, but it is also a path of character-building. For many Grade 12 students, this time of year feels as though the future is sitting right in front of them, their education until now aligning with the possibilities that await.
Last week, our Advanced Placement (AP) students completed their AP exams. Watching the students exit the examination rooms with confidence that they were well prepared and were able to not only share but highlight their knowledge was a beautiful thing to witness. AP exams represent a milestone, requiring both intellectual rigour and a commitment to discipline and self-motivation. Congratulations to our AP students for your perseverance!
Equally thrilling is the moment when post-secondary acceptance letters arrive. For many, it marks the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of a new chapter. The realization that years of research, writing, creating, and presenting have led to a tangible next step—admission to a post-secondary institution—signals a turning point in their academic and personal journeys. We are so proud of our Grade 12 grads who have been receiving a tremendous number of post-secondary offers both to Canadian universities and abroad.
Along the way, it is also important to find balance and build some fun into our days. Last week, our grads, alongside their Graduation Years peers in Grades 10 & 11, recently participated in a most Amazing Race throughout the Lower Mainland. They worked in teams, solved challenges, navigated the city and felt their competitive spirit grow. This day was not only fun, it was challenging, and even physically demanding—the most steps they have put in during a school day ever. Along the way, they were able to build beautiful memories, take some great pics and hold onto those memories.
The success of our graduating students is never solely individual. It reflects the unwavering support of families, teachers, and peers, who have provided a community of belonging. The UA community, in particular, has been their village, nurturing their caring and compassionate sides while also fostering the principled and innovative thinking that will guide them through the next phase.
As students move forward into higher education, the AP exams and post-secondary admissions are not just markers of past achievements, but of what they will continue to accomplish. With courage, compassion, and excellent, flexible thinking, they are the epitome of ‘educated for tomorrow’—ready to face the challenges ahead with confidence and agility.
Yours in education,
Brenda Ball
Principal