Make the most of life’s opportunities, Year 11 pupils were told by a top psychologist at their graduation.

East London Advertiser: Glamorous 'red carpet' treatment as Morpeth girls graduateGlamorous 'red carpet' treatment as Morpeth girls graduate (Image: Morpeth Sch PR)

Some 240 students walked the red carpet to receive their certificates at Bethnal Green’s Morpeth Secondary when they heard guest speaker Dr Caryn Solomon reveal how she made it to the top of her profession — despite a humble background.

Dr Caryn, who today heads organisational development at Investec Bank in the City, spoke of her grandparents being poor migrants who started a new life in South Africa and her father becaming a world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon “through hard work and study”.

Head of Year 11 Ms Gregoriou spoke of a challenging future where success wasn’t always measured in money — but rather in love, empathy, solidarity and caring about others. The future was in their hands.

Headteacher Jemima Reilly reflected Morpeth had played “a major hand in turning the youngsters into confident and impressive individuals”.

She added: “It has been a pleasure watching our students grow into young adults. I hope their memories of their time here are good ones and look forward to seeing many of them back in September.”

The ceremony ended with pupils receiving their Progress files. Many move on to the Year 12 sixth-form in September, while others go on to further education colleges.