Academic Excellence and Resilience: Anna’s Story

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of Lower Sixth student Anna Hryhorian, who joined RGS Worcester from Ukraine on a bursary and has gone on to achieve an outstanding ten Grade 9s in her GCSEs. Her results are a remarkable reflection not only of her academic ability, but also of her resilience, determination and personal growth during her time at RGS Worcester.

Arriving in the UK under challenging circumstances, Anna embraced the opportunities at RGS Worcester and quickly became part of the community, which she describes as a “second family.” In a moving letter to the School, she expressed her gratitude for the support she has received from teachers, classmates and staff, who helped her rebuild her life in a new country.

Anna’s story is an inspiring reflection of the power of opportunity, dedication and the supportive environment that defines RGS Worcester. She will continue her journey with us in the Sixth Form, following in the footsteps of other Ukrainian pupils who have gone on to study at leading Universities.

We are delighted to share Anna’s letter in full below:

Dear Mr Pitt and Family of RGSW,

On this truly exciting occasion of today’s Results Day, I would like to reflect on the past few years of my life as part of a community that will occupy a special place in my heart for a lifetime.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am that my fate brought me here, despite the sorrowful reason of the war in my Motherland being behind it. Words alone will never be enough to thank you for seeing my potential and ambitions, and for allowing me to be part of this school that became a second family to me. But I am afraid this is the least I can do to convey my gratitude.

First of all, I would like to thank every single dedicated soul that I met during my journey here at RGS: the most talented and kind-hearted teachers I have ever had the honour of knowing; supportive classmates and friends that made me feel valued since my very first day here; helpful staff and examiners who gave their time and care. All of you contributed to helping me start my life over on a blank new page. Thank you to everyone who was there to answer my carriage of questions, who stayed by my side, who let me cry my heart out when I felt like my life was caving in right in the palms of my hands. You reminded me to not give up on myself and my life. You showed me that, despite the struggles and sorrows I face every day, I am more than capable of starting over.

Being here helps me to carve out the real beauty behind the fragile life we all have—whether through academics, hidden talents and abilities, or simply being a human. I share my results today with all of you, because this achievement is not mine alone. It is a result of a shared, boundaryless hard work—in teaching, learning, and helping each other out. However, there is more to just the academic aspect of it. This journey taught me quite a lot of things. It showed that I am capable of stretching myself far beyond the limits I once imagined: moving to a different country; accepting its rules, traditions, mentality and expectations; speaking and learning the way I had never done before. I have realised that I am not weak, that I can achieve what I want, overcome any obstacles I encounter on my way, and accustom to altitudes beyond one’s imagination. I will appreciate these life-lessons for as long as I remember myself.

This letter marks the end of my first turbulent chapter and the beginning of a new journey-one that awaits me in Sixth Form, here in the heart of RGSW. This sun has set, but the new, brighter one is about to rise. And when it does, I will do everything to let it shine brighter each day, illuminating our path for new discoveries beyond familiar horizons.

I will cherish the serendipity of our acquaintance, as it truly restored my belief in the serene future I thought I had lost three years ago.

Thank you for everything.

Best wishes,

Anna Hryhorian