Of ends and new beginnings: Students of The City School graduate with flying colours

The ceremony for the school’s PAF chapter branch was held on Thursday.

KARACHI:

A colourful graduation ceremony was held on Thursday at The City School’s PAF Chapter branch, where 104 A’ Level students who achieved high grades in Cambridge International Examination’s papers were awarded prizes.

Apart from the high achievers, who were clad in blue gowns, other graduates dressed in maroon ones also received certificates. Unlike the past few years, the boys managed to outdo the girls this year in terms of securing top positions - with the exception of mathematics. Syed Farrukh Mustafa - who had the best across four A’ Levels - scored the highest marks in physics in Pakistan. Muhammad Adeel Samad, also had the best across results for four A’ Level subjects. “We both are good friends and help each other, but there is always competition,” said Mustafa.

Samad added that students shouldn’t just be poring over books or stay cooped up inside libraries. “Apart from studies, I also set aside some time for extracurricular activities and sports - you just need to have good time management skills to do all of this.”

Both the high achievers are aspiring to join the medical sciences as they have been inspired by their parents, who are doctors. “Our parents and teachers are behind the success we have achieved and this is one of the happiest moments of our lives,” said Mustafa. “We want to become just like them - they are really our ideals.”

Mustafa’s father, Dr Irfan Ahmed, was beaming throughout the ceremony. “He did better than I expected. He sought my help whenever he needed, but what he has achieved is the fruit of his own labour.”



Samad’s parents, Dr Naeem Samad and Dr Nuzhat Khan, said that children are more focused nowadays and hit the books on their own because of the increased competition   among them. “Our generation had to be forced to study, but this doesn’t happen anymore. Now, all parents have to do is just build up their children’s confidence.”

Jehanzeb Ahmed Khan was third in Karachi and top in Pakistan in Chemistry, Asad Ahmed scored the highest in computing, while Ayesha Farooq remained top in Karachi in mathematics.

The chief guest, Ameena Saiyid, the managing director of Oxford University Press, spoke about the importance of books. She told the students that books were still important in such a technologically advanced era.

“The youth is future of Pakistan and they will hopefully make their parents and the nation proud,” she added.

Shireen Karamally, the headmistress of the school’s A’ Level section, seemed to be more excited than the parents. She recalled the event her own graduation ceremony as she didn’t attend her own. Recognising the students’ efforts, Karamally said she was confident that students “would be leaders in their chosen fields”.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2013.