On Saturday 20 June, Morogoro International School said goodbye to its Class of 2026. Parents, teachers, staff and students gathered at 10 am to celebrate 20 graduates in Year 13 and the years of hard work behind their diplomas. There was laughter, pride and a few tears as the school celebrated this year’s graduating class.
Head of Secondary, Mr Anthony Barnett served as Master of Ceremonies, guiding the morning from the opening speeches through to the presentation of diplomas.
A graduate’s journey
One of the most heartfelt moments came from graduate Husainah, who started in Nursery and stayed at MIS all the way through to graduation. She opened with humour. “Today, I stand here ready to graduate, which means I survived 13 years of homework, assemblies, sports days, swim galas, and most importantly, exams,” she said.
She thanked her classmates for “the memories, the friendships, the laughter, the chaos, and yes, even the stress, because those may be the moments we miss the most.” MIS, she said, had given the class far more than an education. “It has given us support, confidence, friendship, and a sense of belonging. It has given us a second home. All this was possible because of the family I found here.”
Words from our graduates
Head Boy Brian reflected on more than ten years at the school. “Looking back, I can confidently say that this school, along with its incredible teachers and staff, has played a huge role in shaping the person I am today,” he said.
He asked his classmates to appreciate more than the results before they left. “It’s important to appreciate what we’ve had here, not just the grades or the achievements, but the people, the friendships, the memories, the laughs, and even the difficult moments that we somehow managed to get through.”
Head Girl Lucia kept the room smiling and thinking. She began by admitting that for a long time graduation “felt like something that only happened to other people.” Growing up, she said, “seems to be a lot less about finding that certainty and a lot more about learning to live without it.”
Lucia joined MIS in Year 10 and said she was welcomed by a community that “quickly became like a family.” She spoke warmly of the friendships she made, from the ones that clicked straight away to those that “began rocky and somehow turned into my closest friendships.” She thanked her teachers for their patience and dedication. “Today, we walk out of these doors, but you stay to welcome the next generation,” she said.
She also thanked the Head Boy, the Deputies and the Student Leadership Team, and reflected on what leadership had taught her. “You don’t need a badge to be a leader,” she said. “It’s more of a mindset. It’s taking responsibility when things are unclear.” She told her classmates she felt “so incredibly lucky to have witnessed growth and change in myself and my peers over these 4 years.”
Graduate Emir finished the student speeches with her thanks. She gave a shout-out to her teachers “for encouraging me to push harder every single day,” to the Year 12 students and to her classmates. “Words cannot express how deeply and immensely grateful I am for all of you,” she said.
Music and a rap
Mr Aziz and Mr Edison then performed a rap song that mixed words of wisdom, encouragement and life lessons, and left the graduates and the audience laughing. Graduate Samwel later performed two pieces on the piano that gave the ceremony a gentle introspective moment.
A message from the Headteacher
Headteacher Ms. Talley reminded the graduates that small schools teach big lessons. “In a small school like ours, there is nowhere to hide,” she said. “People know your name. They notice when you are struggling. They cheer when you succeed.”
She pointed the class to the lion mural they pass every day in the Secondary School, which carries three words: Grit, Determination and Perseverance. “Confidence is not about never being afraid,” she said. “It is about refusing to let fear decide your future.”
She also told the graduates what kind of people the world needs. “Be the graduates who listen before judging, who lead without arrogance, who work hard without demanding applause, who choose character over popularity, who remain curious enough to keep learning long after today.”
Her closing words summed up the morning: “The world needs intelligent people, but even more, it needs good people. Class of 2026, we are proud of who you are and excited for who you will become.”
What comes next
Our graduates are heading in different directions, each following their own interests and ambitions. Confirmed destinations include Stadio Higher Education and McGill University, Pre Medical Track at McDaniel College Budapest, while several graduates will continue their studies at the University of Amsterdam.
Congratulations, Class of 2026
The MIS community is proud of each graduate. We wish you all the very best in your future endeavours. May the friendships, memories and values from your time at MIS stay with you wherever you go.