4 minute read
Developing Our Alumni Community
Since the launch of the new BSN Alumni Community Network online platform, over a year ago, the BSN is steadily raising the profile of its alumni, developing relations and engagement activities.
There are currently over 470 active profiles on the network; we hope this number continues to grow. One aim of this platform is to facilitate valuable connections and harness the alumni community’s knowledge and experience for its members’ benefit. To that end, we are delighted to share that over 160 alumni from diverse industries and backgrounds have volunteered to help Sixth Form students and fellow alumni with their careers through the platform in various ways.
Bringing Alumni Together Again
Many of our alumni developed such strong friendships during their school days that have stood the test of time. This was especially evident at the BSN UK alumni reunion on March 24, in the joyful, inclusive atmosphere and the fond reminiscing that happened. The unique background that BSN alumni share is also the basis for many new connections and creates an instant rapport.
Recognising our Future Community Builders
The “Spirit of Alumni” is a special award given to a Year 13 student from both the A Level and IB pathways who has served the school community with energy, enthusiasm and selfless dedication. We believe this student will continue to be an excellent ambassador for the BSN and actively support its values in the future—thereby representing the spirit and ideals of the BSN Alumni community. The 2024 award recipients are:
Anoeska (IB):
The Spirit of Alumni award was both a great honour and surprise to receive. I have been at the BSN for the past four years, and it quickly became my home, making it easy for me to willingly and happily give my time and effort to many different aspects of the school. I am very grateful and proud that my efforts were recognised and acknowledged through this award. Having gone through the school with so many other hardworking, passionate, and deserving students, I find it a great privilege to have been chosen. I plan to continue my studies at Erasmus University, and I will take it with me and forever cherish the memories and years I spent at the BSN. I hope to continue making the BSN proud in my future endeavours as an active alum.
Kyra (A Level):
Although surprised, I am deeply honoured and thankful to be awarded the Spirit of Alumni Award. My two years at the BSN have felt short but surely filled with unforgettable experiences and lessons. I have truly enjoyed every opportunity I have been given here - from the events with the Student Ambassador Team and weekly experiments in the STEM Club to the Yearbook Committee, in which so many memories were collected. Thank you to all the teachers, staff, friends, and classmates I have met and shared countless laughs with along the way. Next year, I hope to pursue Medicine at the University of Groningen, where I’ll definitely be catching a few familiar faces and hopefully many more in the future. Thank you once again for this honour, and best of luck to the Class of 2024.
The BSN Impact
We were recently in touch with Deirdre Rieutort-Louis, the first-ever award recipient in 2012. Since then, she has built a very successful career in the US as a chef and currently works in a Michelin-star restaurant. Looking back at her BSN experience, Deirdre is grateful for her teachers and the support she was given to pursue her passion:
The BSN is a special place where there is something for everyone, and it really fosters a student’s individual strengths. When I stepped out of the BSN bubble and, especially, moving to the US, I met a lot of people who felt very lost during their schooling. I never once felt lost at the BSN; instead, I always felt supported. I am so proud to be an alumna. I am so grateful to my parents for giving me and my siblings a BSN education. It made us into adaptable, well-rounded, and caring citizens of the world.
Read the full Q&A with Deirdre here.
