Inside CGA's Community: Global Experiences in April 2025

Crimson Global Academy (CGA) turned five this April, and across its campuses and time zones, the milestone was honoured with joy, pride, and powerful reflection. From virtual ceremonies to in-person gatherings, CGA's global community came together to celebrate not only the past five years but also its bold and limitless vision for the future.

CGA Day: A Global Celebration of Growth and Community

One of the highlights of April was CGA Day, an event celebrated across the Aoraki, Greenwich, and US campuses. Hosted by the campus Deans, the event honoured CGA’s journey, featuring messages from principals, students, long-serving staff, and an inspiring video presentation from CEO Penelope Barton and Founder Dr Jamie Beaton.

An artistic high point was the unveiling of the CGA Day anthem, “One World, One Dream”, with lyrics penned by Da Vinci Humanities teacher Katerina Stojanovska. The anthem was performed by Aoraki Head Girl Emma and Juilliard violinist Laura, with collaboration from students in the CGA Music Workshop led by Crimson student Haesu.

Student leaders from each campus shared heartfelt readings of CGA’s Mission, Vision, and Values. Noor, Deputy Head of Hawking House, shared:

“Here in our vibrant community, we’ve discovered that the future is not just something we await—rather, it is something we are creating now, alongside our fellow peers and teachers.”

Rikuto, Head Student of Aoraki campus and a student of CGA for five years, reflected on CGA’s innovation:

“Technological innovations reflect CGA's vision and freedom, allowing the school to continuously introduce new features, observe how they benefit the schooling experience, and identify areas for improvement. It has been very exciting to witness the innovation on the technical side of the school over my five years here.”

CGA Day also introduced Winston, “Winnie”, the school’s mascot—an idea born from Aoraki Dean Mrs Kate Thompson and shaped by student feedback. Winston captures CGA’s core values and is set to appear in events and on CGA Home.

The event concluded with a moving video collage showcasing student journeys, alumni reflections, and community highlights over the past five years.

Greenwich IA2 Students Celebrate Graduation

On 2 May, the Greenwich Campus celebrated the graduation of its IA2 Class of 2025. The ceremony, led by Deans Beth Haresnape and Michael Caley, along with Associate Principal Andrew Daniel and Principal Mark Philips, recognised 32 graduates representing 20 countries,  a true testament to the global spirit of CGA.

The ceremony featured inspiring messages and videos from both students and teachers. Student Nandini reflected:

“Our version of school didn't come with crowded lunch rooms or school bells... Yet despite the physical distance, we built connections that went beyond these screens.”

Fellow graduate Sarah, from Nagasaki, Japan, added:

“Without CGA... I couldn’t even have such a dream. Seek opportunities, seek resources, and seek support from teachers and friends.”

Student Arriane, who also designed the 2025 Greenwich leavers’ hoodie, performed a heartfelt rendition of “When I See You Again” to close the event.

In his closing message, Mr Philips offered encouragement:

“Life is not going to move in a linear fashion. It never does. But you really need to believe in yourself and your own abilities — and never stop learning, never stop growing.”

As the Class of 2025 steps into a new chapter, the CGA celebrates their achievements and the legacy they leave behind.

CGA Hosts Practical Science Day in Sydney

Also on 2 May, CGA hosted a Practical Science Day at Newington College in Sydney. Designed for pre-IG and IGCSE students, the day featured hands-on activities including salt titrations, circuit-building, and biological dissections.

Led by teachers Mr Kearney and Ms Kamperis, the event brought theory to life, allowing students to engage with science in a tactile and collaborative environment. As a global online high school, events like this reflect CGA’s commitment to providing meaningful, interactive learning experiences beyond the virtual classroom.

CGA Seniors Host College Application Event for Younger Students

From 15 to 17 April, CGA senior students from the US Campus organised a two-day university application virtual Q&A event for younger students. The sessions covered everything from admissions overviews to specific guidance for musicians, athletes, and international applicants.

The peer-led initiative of students Komari, Konoka, Soyun, and Dhrit, supported by CGA’s teaching and counselling teams, created a space for honest dialogue, early preparation, and cross-grade mentorship.

Komari, one of the student organisers, shared:

“I finished my college application journey in mid-February... I wanted to document my journey... and share the lessons I learned.”

She encouraged students to “get to know yourself” and research thoroughly, an advice grounded in her own plans to pursue a liberal arts and sciences degree with a focus on informatics.

Smithsonian Washington, DC Student Meetup

On 26 April, CGA families and students in the US gathered at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, for a special in-person meetup. The event was led by English Department faculty member Ms Anika Krause and Admissions Officer Micah Gottlieb. With around 20 participants across six families, the meetup offered a rare chance for students, parents, and staff to engage beyond the screen.

English teacher Ms Lauren Jensen and her family also joined, adding a warm, familial touch. Students Xander and Alexandra, who had only ever interacted virtually, finally met in person, an inspiring reminder of the connections CGA fosters beyond the virtual classroom.

CGA ANZ Virtual Meetups

On 11 April, CGA continued its Virtual Meetups across Australia and New Zealand, engaging families from Christchurch, Hamilton, Queensland, and Western Australia. These regional events, led by ANZ Marketing and Communications Executive Joshua Margaillan, provided space for connection, discussion, and shared experiences. These sessions are part of CGA’s ongoing efforts to ensure that geographically dispersed students feel part of a close-knit, supportive learning community.

CGA plans to expand this initiative with upcoming events in South Australia and Wellington, ensuring students in remote regions feel closely connected to the CGA community.

Aoraki Campus Hosts Parent Meeting Evening Virtual Session

Aoraki Parent Meeting was held in last 29 April, where Deputy Principal Cristian Rodriguez introduced the school’s draft AI Road Map. The session shared results from a four-day structure survey, with feedback gathered from over 150 students, caregivers, and staff.

The overwhelmingly positive response to the four-day model highlights CGA’s dedication to evolving its structures in response to community needs. The school’s forward-thinking approach to AI integration demonstrates its commitment to building a future-ready education model.

As we step into the remainder of 2025, CGA aims to continue fostering a global community that broadens students' perspectives and unlocks each student’s limitless potential for extraordinary futures. The journey ahead promises even more innovation, community, and opportunity.

In the words of A-levels Principal Mark Philips:

“Each anniversary we celebrate isn't about looking back — it's about looking forward... Here's to the next five years of innovation, growth, and unlimited potential.”