Nobody was late for breakfast yesterday! With such an important and busy day spread out in front of them, the students were eager to get the day started! 

Friday’s classes were a breeze of giving presentations and asking any last burning questions before their time with their teachers was up. All our students have performed fantastically in their classes over the last two weeks, and when the time finally came for them to leave for the last time, it was with a great deal of sadness that they said goodbye.

After a quick and louder-than-usual lunch, it was time to start preparing for graduation! The students had a hand in decking out Maplethorpe Hall and the dining hall with a few celebratory decorations and then it was time to start preparing themselves! 

Upstairs in their rooms, the students agonised over their outfits, calling their friends from down the hall for second opinions as everyone was determined to look their best. Once everyone was happy with how they looked, the cohort headed together into the hall.

The programme director made a heartfelt congratulatory speech to open proceedings and  then it was time for the moment the students had all been waiting for: collecting their scrolls. One by one, they all stepped up to have their hand shaken and receive their certificates. Some particularly conscientious students even collected special awards for their academic effort. It was a moment to remember for every member of our cohort, and one they had thoroughly earned.

After the ceremony, the students had a specially prepared dinner, then headed off to St Catherine’s for a witches and wizards themed party with the other 13 15 cohorts. With Oxford the location of filming for lots of Harry Potter scenes, the Hogwarts decorations were very appropriate – not to mention a huge hit with our students! The cohort spent the night dancing their hearts out and getting as many pictures by the Hogwarts banners as possible! When the time came to head back to St Hugh’s, the students could hardly drag themselves away.