Visage – Winter 2021

EYLA SCHOLARS
the class of 2021
For those outside the Young Leaders’ circle – each year Eastside
prepares and commissions a cohort of young leaders from working
class backgrounds to enter the world of boarding school.
Carol Murraine
Scholars Programme Director
Despite lockdown, this talented group of
young leaders have soared through a rigorous
preparation programme, designed to
challenge and support in readiness for a life
of learning away from home as we commission
each one as they take this important
step into the strange world of boarding
education. A huge transition some may say,
but for most, a truly fulfilling one.
What lies ahead for the class of 2021?
There will of course be the inevitable
longing for home cooking (eg jollof rice)
and even a moment of grief for the curtailment
of social media, but each will
experience an ocean of life changing
opportunities and promise of an elite education
experience. We are incredibly proud
of the class of 2021.
This year’s graduation event took place
at the impressive City of London School in
central London. The great hall – adorned
with an EYLA twist – greeted our guests
along with the soulful pianist who filled the
iconic space with joyful yet subtle melodies.
Our excited parents and children were
in awe of the breath-taking space, beaming
with joy – 17 proud and prepared scholars,
with caps and gowns, arrived for their graduation
– the ‘Class of 2021’.
This year our alumni and boarders acted
as hosts – they were ushers, waiters, staffers,
leading etc. David Ejim-McCubbin, our
main speaker delivered a moving speech
and counsel to the scholars as they embark
on their new lives in boarding.
We then paused to acknowledge our
A-Level and GCSE students, who, despite
a turbulent year of virtual teaching, learning
bubbles and lateral flow tests, achieved
impressive examination results way above
the national average. A-Level results were
the best ever in EYLA history too. Amara
Agwo gained four A*s and will be going to
University College London to study European,
Social and Political Studies. Giovanni
Buabeng gained three A*s and one A; going
to Nottingham for Computer Science, and
Joba gained four As; he will go to Bristol for
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Our GCSE results were celebrated with
an overwhelming abundance of 8s and 9s –
our top three were Eszter Geredzi – eleven
GCSEs grade 7-9, followed closely by Ernesta
Amoah with ten GCSEs grade 8-9 and Daniel
Kupoluyi with nine GCSE grade 7-9.
Ray Lewis lifted the room with his recollections
of the graduates’ journey and
growth; there was a standing ovation for
all and for the ‘Supreme E’s’; Eszter, Ernesta
and Emmanuella, who each attained outstanding
GCSE results, securing their
boarding school places.
Lauren King, scholars tutor, astounded
us with her emotionally charged rendition
of ‘Be a Lion’; our parent voice came from
Denise Parks who delivered a motivating
testimonial about her own journey from
the previous year. Deshawn Gordon, Class
of 2020, read the poem ‘Invictus’ and the
Class of 2021 sang the academy song as
the graduation drew to a close.
This was another inspiring graduation
event, anchoring the values of Eastside
with our community of remarkable young
leaders, scholars and alumni.
To the class of 2021 – we honour you
and charge you to go forward and do yourselves,
your families and Eastside proud.
2