Written by Nur Coşkun İstanbulluoğlu, TBS Corparate Communication Director, Tarabya British Schools, Turkey

Tarabya English Schools organized an event in the garden of the British Consulate on the occasion of its 11th anniversary on 12 June. The event, which took place in an enthusiastic atmosphere, was hosted by Mehmet Gültekin, the founder of Tarabya English Schools, and his wife Emel Gültekin. Guests from the business and social circles, students, and parents came together at the event. Colin Bell, COBIS CEO, was delighted to be invited to take part in the ceremony.

For the Graduation Ceremony, G4, G8, and G12 students took their places on the stage accompanied by bagpipes. Then, TBS Director Darren Hugill made an opening speech. In his speech, he said: “TBS founder Mehmet Gültekin is not only an education enthusiast but also a philanthropist with remarkable experience spanning over 26 years. His dedication and commitment to education have profoundly impacted countless students, and he has tirelessly worked to promote and enhance the educational system. In this way, Tarabya English Schools proudly graduates students who receive acceptance from the world's top-ranking universities with a world-class education.”

Following Mehmet Gültekin's speech, Dr. Kate Greany, Deputy Consul General of the United Kingdom in Istanbul, gave an inspiring speech to the graduates.

Afterward, Mehmet Gültekin greeted the guests with his speech: “We would like to congratulate all our students on their hard work and dedication this year. Not only for their academic achievement but also for their Holistic Education and for their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. We are proud to be the first and only school in Turkey that graduates students who are accepted into world universities without exams.”

It is not by chance or coincidence that their graduates receive acceptances from the world's best universities each year; it is the result of receiving education at a well-established institution. Their graduates do not worry about being accepted into their desired universities; they are not chosen but instead choose the department and university they want to study at. Their students adapt to a multicultural world from an early age by learning alongside people from different nations.

TBS Trustee Member Mr. Steve Philips said the following when inviting Colin Bell onto the stage: “Tarabya British Schools takes great pride in being one of the few schools worldwide accredited by the International Schools Association. TBS is privileged to be a COBIS School that links us to the British Education Standards. We are delighted that Mr. Colin Bell, CEO of the Council of British International Schools, has honoured this important evening for TBS. It will be a special honour for TBS students from elementary, middle, and high school who have excelled in international English school competitions this year worldwide to receive their certificates from Mr. Colin Bell.” 

Colin Bell said “It’s a true honour and a delight to be here tonight to join TBS Founder, Mr. Mehmet Gültekin, Dr. Kate Greany, talented students, parents and dedicated staff from the wonderful Tarabya British School community. TBS is a much respected and cherished member of the COBIS family of schools. After a rigorous quality assurance check, TBS is recognised globally, as the first COBIS Accredited Member School in Turkey. Another world first for TBS, which is worth celebrating, alongside the inspirational achievements of all students connected to TBS - a school where learning, kindness and aspirations have no limits and a school where students, staff and parents belong and flourish”

After his speech, Colin Bell presented the following certificates to these students:

• The Commitment to a Charitable Cause certificate was awarded to Joshua Hunter-Kelm.
• The Exceptional Academic Achievement certificate was awarded to Emre Berent Uluışık.
• The Significant Contibution to The Wider Life of The School certificate was awarded to Mantallah Tareq Ibrahim El Taib.

After the COBIS certificate ceremony, Kian Kaya, the valedictorian of the class of 2024, gave his Valedictorian Speech and then handed over the TBS flag to 11th-grade student Eren Bilici.

The Graduation Night concluded with performances by renowned artists from the country, Mustafa Sandal and DJ Burak Yeter.