Jerudong - It was a proud moment for parents of SECA School graduates as they witnessed a grand graduation and awards ceremony recently. More than 130 Kindergarten Three pupils, Year Six students, top academic achievers and best CCA awardees were presented with trophies, medals and certificates at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club in Jerudong.

The guest of honour, First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Abdul Halim bin Hj Md Hanifah, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Navy presented the certificates to the young graduates. "Students need tO practice religious and moral values; respect to parents and teachers," said First Admiral Dato Hj Halim in his speech.

Among the guests were the Penghulu of Mukim Serasa, Major (Rtd) Hj Johari bin Hj Abdul Razak and his wife; education officers from the Private Education Section (BPS), Ministry of Education, Cikgu Dinawati and Cikgu Suria binti Yusop; Ms Julia Lim Soon Yin; the SECA School's Advisor, Dr Jeffrey Joel Moncherry; and SECA's Principal, Mrs Angela Lim Soon Mei.

The ceremony started with a Doa led by Ahmad Darwisy bin Hj Abdul Lamit who was also a third place winner in the Azan Subuh, Prayer and Memorisation of Quranic Verses Competition for Brunei Zone II 'B'.

This year's graduation carries a significant message as well: "Reading is the Key to Success". Throughout the school year, SECA School organised various school projects and activities that put more emphasis on reading and health.

In the first half of the year, SECA School also participated in an action-learning programme organised by the Institute of Leadership, Innovation and Advancement (ILIA), Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

There has been a significant transformation in the teaching and learning of English and Malay Comprehension under the School Leadership Project (SLP) "Read for Success". In this project, all the students from Years One to Six were exposed to different teaching approaches, all of which are purely student-centred.

SECA School has also implemented the School Health Initiative Programme organised by the Ministry of Health and Education. In her speech, the Principal, Mrs Angela Lim Soon Mei stated that, "This programme has created an awareness of health and healthy eating not only to students but teachers and parents took special effort to ensure that the children bring along healthy food and drinks to school to eat during recess."

Outstanding presentations in the graduation ceremony have portrayed the extraordinary capabilities and abilities of the students in the co-curricular activities held so far this year. Among them were Nasyid, Poetry Declamation, Readathon, Choir, Choral Reading, Musical Dance and Mime. Carl Justin R Diane, a graduate from KG3B, presented an excellent and flawless speech on behalf of his fellow classmates in which he thanked and appreciated the guidance and enlightenment given by parents, teachers and the school.

As for the Year Six graduates, Nur Humairah binti Kamarulzaman presented a speech on behalf of her classmates.

The most important message shared by her was to. the junior students, which was to study hard and to aim high in education and be prepared to learn the skills and tools in the fast technological world today.

SECA teachers also helped to further enliven the ceremony with a traditional dance. The event ended with the singing of the Alma Mater Song.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin