On September 7th at the Cardiff Cathedral, the Class of 2023 gathered for one last time under the same roof at this year’s Leavers Ceremony.
Throughout their two-year academic journey with at St David’s, they exemplified exceptional commitment, passion, and ambition. We take immense pride in the remarkable achievements of our students, especially considering the significant challenges posed by the landscape of education amidst and after the COVID-19 pandemic. These resilient individuals have not only adapted but have also flourished and persevered in their relentless pursuit of knowledge.
Class of 2023 Valedictorian Dylan Balch summarised the event nicely, by saying:
“Students and teachers alike were unfamiliar with the environment that we walked into together in September 2021. Perhaps, with some uncertainty and stress along the way. Nonetheless, the two years that we as students have spent together at St David’s have been some of the most significant and transformative in our lives to date and if we don’t realise that now, we certainly will in the years to come.”
More than 150 awards were awarded on an evening where students, teachers and family members could celebrate the accomplishments of learners before they embark on their next journey – whether it be university, an apprenticeship or employment.
This meaningful recognition is likely to create lasting positive memories for them as they move forward beyond their time with us at St. David’s College. They have gone above and beyond what was expected, and these awards are a well-deserved recognition of their outstanding efforts.
“You can always be the best you can be, so congratulations for all of that which you have achieved. Well done, you deserve it for all of the work you have put into it. Christianity looks to the future and yours is ahead of you. Enjoy it and live it.” – Father Gray
We were delighted to be joined by the headteachers of local Catholic High Schools, St Richard Gwyn, St Illtyd’s and Corpus Christi. They presented the Scholarship awards to the exceptional students that are progressing from High School on to St David’s.
During the ceremony, the hundreds in attendance were treated to three musical interludes performed by our upper Sixth form Music and Performing Arts students: Iustina Chirila, Lucy-Jo Evans, and Ffion Bowley. Iustina Chirila initiated the show with a classical piece, “Se tu m’ami, se sospiri,” which captured everyone’s attention and set a positive tone for the rest of the evening. Lucy-Jo Evans sang a rendition of “I Hope You Dance,” and later in the evening, Ffion Bowley gave us her rendition of “For the Beauty of the Earth.”
After the ceremony had concluded, as the students and their parents regained their composure from the excitement of the awards, it was evident that tears of joy had been shed throughout the night. A wave of positive emotions continued to fill the atmosphere outside the cathedral, undeterred by the extreme heat that had enveloped the cathedral during the awards ceremony.
Students, staff, parents and invited guests then able to head across the road from the Cardiff Cathedral to have refreshments at the Cornerstone; a much-needed cold drink for some parched throats after the extreme heat waves.
We hope that the Class of 2023 will fondly remember their experiences at St. David’s and carry these valuable memories with them wherever life may take them. Congratulations to all of you and good luck!
