Dear Year 13 Parents and carers, 

As you are now aware, events have moved very fast over the last few days and especially today. In the short time since we sent out the Bulletin letter to parents the situation has changed again with the following announcement from the IBO being received by the school less late this afternoon.

“The IB organization and IB schools in Greece have been working in alignment towards the May exams and that where it is safe to do so the Diploma examinations should be held as that is the best route to assess students. We have been monitoring the situation closely in Greece and considering the impact on student well-being which is an important priority for us all. Unfortunately, the situation in Greece is deteriorating and we need to respond to this reality. Schools in Greece are currently closed, and it is hoped that they will reopen on April 5th. However, with the increase in Covid cases in Greece and other examinations in Greece now cancelled we need to communicate a clear decision to provide clarity for our students and parents.

Consequently, the IB has made the final decision that all IB schools in Greece are placed on the non-exam route for the May 2021 session with immediate effect. For the avoidance of doubt, schools will remain on the non-exam route even if the schools reopen on April 5th”.

 I think this is the only decision that could have been final and not subject to further revision or vulnerable to events overtaking it. It does of course now mean that the IB schools in Greece are now on a level playing field with some of their major competitors for university places such as the British A-level schools in Greece and all of the prestigious independent school sector in the UK.

The message for all Year 13 students is that they now have to concentrate solely on finalising their internal assessments without worrying about the written exams and I am glad they have been given the time to do just that. As I said to the Year 13 students only this morning “stay strong, safe and keep up the efforts ……….. we hope for a positive examination results day in July and that come next year it will be the results and your university or college life that will remain in your thoughts and not these dark days under the cloud of COVID and all the difficulties and insecurities that it presents us with.”

 With kind regards

 Dr Bond, Head of Upper School