The poet Robert Frost once wrote in The Road Not Taken:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
 I took the one less travelled by,
and that has made all the difference."

Growth is often shaped in much the same way. Seemingly ordinary choices and sustained effort may appear insignificant in the moment, but over time they accumulate to shape how an individual engages with the world, and the paths they ultimately take.

After several years of study, the Class of 2026 at Wellington College Education (China) - Hangzhou, completed their sixth form education last week and have now graduated. They will shortly begin the next stage of their academic journeys at universities across the world.

They now stand at a clear transition point. Looking back, there is a path defined by sustained commitment and steady development. Looking ahead, there is a future that is not yet written but increasingly within reach.

Graduation can look like a finish line, but it's also a gathering point. It's where many different stories meet. Pupils who worked for years, families who supported them, teachers who guided them, friends who encouraged them, and a whole community that helped shape who these graduates are becoming.

Success doesn't happen in isolation. It grows in classrooms where questions are welcomed, on teams where trust is built, in clubs where people find their place, and in friendships where someone says, "You've got this," at exactly the right time.

To our Upper Sixth pupils, we are proud of you. Proud of the late nights and early mornings. Proud of the effort behind the results. Proud of the risks you took, trying something new, speaking up, leading, performing, competing, creating. Proud of the resilience you showed when things didn't go as planned, and the maturity you showed when you had to adapt. 

Every one of you has a story of progress, and today we honour all of it, the academic accomplishments, the personal growth, and the quiet victories that not everyone saw.

And to the families and supporters here today: thank you. Thank you for the rides, the reminders, the patience, the encouragement, the meals, the listening, the belief. Your support is part of what we celebrate this afternoon.

As we begin this ceremony, I invite everyone to take in what's happening here. Look around. This is connection, people showing up for one another and that is something these graduates can carry forward wherever they go. Because knowledge matters, and talent matters but the ability to build relationships, to collaborate, to include others, and to treat people with care will open doors and strengthen communities for the rest of their lives.

What did I actually learn here? Let me share two things – one academic, one personal.

Academically: Wellington taught me to think across subjects, not just inside one box. I remember in my maths and biology classes, teachers would constantly show us how they connect. For example, when we studied diseases in biology, we didn't just memorise symptoms. We looked at infection rates, probability, data trends. That's maths. They taught us that you can't truly understand a disease without understanding the numbers behind it. That idea stuck with me. Now at King's College London, when I study global health, I don't just look at diseases. I look at economics, sociology, policy, and statistics etc. Wellington gave me that habit of connecting dots across subjects.

On leadership: Being Head of College was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It taught me that leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room, it's about listening carefully, advocating for others, and turning ideas into action.

And then there was organising our school's TEDx Youth event. From coordinating speakers to solving last-minute crises, I learned to stay calm, trust my team, and celebrate every small win. Those skills like listening, staying grounded, I still use them every single week at university.

So here's the truth: this school wasn't just where we studied. It was where we met people who changed us, who challenged us, who stood by our side when things got hard. Where we laughed until we couldn't breathe, and built friendships that will last far beyond these walls.

So, graduates, as you leave, three quick things:

First, embrace change. You will go to university or whatever is next, and things will not go as planned. That's fine. Treat change as a plot twist.

Second, follow your weird passions. I love global health not because it's safe, but because it's fascinating. Don't choose a major or a job just to impress others. Choose it because it keeps you up at night, in a good way.

Third, stay connected. Join the alumni network. We have a Wellington China alumni group of students from so many unis. Use them. Reach out. Ask stupid questions. Offer help. These connections will surprise you.

Class of 2026, you are ready. Wherever you go, take Wellington with you, not just the grades, but the curiosity, the kindness, and the courage to ask "why?"

Go make us proud. Go make yourselves proud. And remember, these halls will always echo with your name.

Kitty:

There's a line from For Good (a song from the musical Wicked ) that says:

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn."

Whether that is true or not, I know this much: people come into our lives, and they change us.

Sometimes in big ways.

Sometimes in ways so small we don't even notice until years later.

A conversation after a difficult day.

A piece of advice at exactly the right moment.

A shared laugh in the corridor.

A teacher who saw potential in us before we saw it in ourselves.

These moments may seem small, but over time they become part of who we are.

William:

When I look around today, I do not just see a graduating class.

I see thousands of connections.

Friendships that began with a simple hello.

Teachers who gave us far more than lessons.

Families who stood beside us through every success and every setback.

All of them have shaped us into who we are today.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts we received from school.

Not simply what we learned, but who we became.

Because while these people helped shape us, they also helped us discover something extremely important: ourselves.

Kitty:

As we move into the next chapter of our lives, there will be pressure to fit in.

Pressure to follow someone else's definition of success.

Pressure to become who the world thinks we should be.

But I hope we never lose sight of who we already are.

I hope we hold onto the values that matter to us.

The dreams that excite us.

The passions that make us come alive.

The kindness, courage, humour, and ambition that make each of us unique.

The world will always have opinions about who we should become.

But at the end of the day, the person who knows you best is yourself.

Believe in that person.

Believe in yourself.

William:

And when you do, don't forget where that confidence came from.

It came from the people who encouraged you when you doubted yourself.

The people who celebrated your successes and supported you through your failures.

The people sitting in this room today.

The Class of 2026, from childhood and through their teenage years, have taken root and grown within Wellington. It has been our privilege to witness your gradual unfolding over time — moving from dependence towards independence, from exploration towards conviction, and from being guided towards becoming self-driven.

In this process, "becoming yourself" is not a single, finished answer, but an ongoing transformation. You have begun to understand the complexity of the world, and gradually learned how to live within it; you have developed both clarity of judgement and a gentle sensitivity to experience; you have learned to step into the unknown, while maintaining an inner steadiness amid uncertainty.

True growth is not about becoming a fixed version of oneself, but about forming your own sense of scale, direction, and judgement through continuous experience.

May you remain clear-minded, and remain warm in spirit; may you continue to ask questions, and continue to move forward. In a wider world, may you keep reaching new horizons, and grow into a more complete version of yourselves.

Farewell, not goodbye. Wellington will always be a part of your life journey.