A decade of excellence: Cherryfield Montessori Sch marks 10th Graduation with pride and purpose

The serene grounds of Cherryfield Montessori School were brought to life on Saturday July 19, 2025, as parents, staff, students, and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate a significant milestone — the 10th Graduation, Speech and Prize-Giving Ceremony. At the heart of the event stood Madam Magdalene Dzifa Adzanu, delivering a speech that was as reflective as it was forward-looking, charting the school’s journey, celebrating its achievements, and offering heartfelt counsel to parents and educators alike.

Welcoming a fruitful end to a successful year

Opening the ceremony with grace and gratitude, Madam Adzanu extended a warm welcome to all in attendance, acknowledging the collective effort that brought the 2024/2025 academic year to a fruitful conclusion.

“This year repositioned us all to go through the Standard Based Curriculum smoothly,” she said, setting the tone for what would be a reflection on a year marked by innovation, creativity, and resilience.

Academic vibrancy and cultural richness

Madam Adzanu proudly recounted the array of events that characterized the academic year. Among them was Discover Your Talent, an initiative launched to kickstart the term with energy and exploration. Soon after, a vibrant inter-house debate offered learners an opportunity to put classroom theory into practice before expert jurors — nurturing public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork.

The school also immersed itself in cultural and national pride. The Culture and Traditional Day, celebrated in the second term, was a festival of African heritage, with learners and staff donning traditional attire in honor of their roots.

One of the year’s highlights was the 68th Independence Day of Ghana, hosted on school grounds for the first time. It was a spectacle of color, pride, and patriotism — featuring a cadet parade and stunning displays from the school’s four houses: Emeralds, Sapphires, Rubies, and Diamonds. “The female staff carried the day,” she said with joy, paying special tribute to their spirited participation.

A record-breaking academic milestone

Amidst the celebrations, Madam Adzanu proudly shared the remarkable performance of CMS students in the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Of the 21 candidates presented, four scored Aggregate 06, fourteen achieved Aggregate 07, and three attained Aggregate 09 — an extraordinary 100% pass rate.

“All our candidates secured placements in their first-choice secondary schools in Ghana and the diaspora,” she beamed. A heartfelt thank-you followed, directed to parents and staff alike for their unwavering support and belief in the CMS vision.

A Grateful salute to the PTA and donors

The CMS Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and philanthropic supporters received a special mention for their generosity — particularly for equipping the ICT lab with new personal computers. Madam Adzanu extended her prayers for blessings upon them, describing their contribution as instrumental in keeping CMS “great and strong.”

The crucial role of early childhood and parental support

Turning her attention to the future, Madam Adzanu emphasized the importance of foundational education. Drawing from research, she asserted that early schooling greatly shapes a child’s lifelong outcomes. She called on parents to recognize the value of their role in a child’s personal and academic development.

“Parenting is a multifaceted venture that demands intentional effort and support,” she noted, citing evidence that parents who exhibit high self-efficacy, positive behavior, and moral discipline positively influence their children’s academic and social well-being.

The cost of neglect and moral deficiency at Home

In a sobering moment, Madam Adzanu addressed the darker side of parenting — warning of the impacts of emotional neglect, punitive discipline, and moral indifference. Children from such homes, she explained, often face difficulties in motivation, learning, and societal integration. Many, she said, tragically turn to drugs, negative peer influence, or anti-social behavior in search of solace.

“The onus lies on us — parents and educators — to make hay while the sun shines,” she urged. “A sound upbringing will give rise to responsible, patriotic leaders.”

A poetic reflection on parenthood

Concluding with timeless words by poet Khalil Gibran, Madam Adzanu offered a poetic reminder to all guardians: children, while loved and nurtured by us, ultimately belong to the future. They must be guided — not owned.

“You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts…”

With these words, the ceremony’s tone shifted from celebration to introspection — a call to action for every adult in a child’s life.

Final Words: A bright future ahead

The 10th Graduation of CMS was not only a commemoration of past achievements but a powerful statement about the future — one built on excellence, character, and community. As the gallant graduands prepare for the next stage of their journey, they carry with them the values instilled by their school, their parents, and a community deeply committed to their growth.

From the rousing speech of Madam Magdalene Dzifa Adzanu, one truth remains clear: at Cherryfield Montessori School, the seeds of greatness are being planted every day — and the harvest is only just beginning.