Celebrating Liza’s First ABRSM Distinction

Some incredible news from our Music Department this week, as our Year 5 student, Liza, celebrates a very special musical milestone.

A Remarkable Musical Achievement

Liza has passed her first ABRSM Initial Grade Piano examination with Distinction, achieving an impressive 135 out of 150 marks, comfortably exceeding the 130 marks required for this result. After weeks of hard work and preparation, this is an outstanding first achievement in her musical journey and a wonderful reflection of her commitment and love of music. At La Garenne International School, we believe that every child has unique talents waiting to be discovered and developed. Liza’s success is a lovely example of what can happen when a young person is encouraged to pursue an individual interest, embrace a challenge and take pride in their progress.

While examination results provide a valuable measure of achievement, the journey behind them is equally important. Learning an instrument involves curiosity, discipline, patience and the courage to keep improving. These qualities extend well beyond music, helping children develop confidence in their abilities and a positive attitude towards learning.

Recognising Every Child’s Individual Potential

Every student brings different interests, strengths and ambitions to school. For some, music becomes a particularly meaningful form of expression. For others, that sense of purpose may develop through sport, visual arts, languages or another area of learning. At La Garenne International School, our approach is rooted in recognising these differences. Rather than expecting every child to follow an identical path, we aim to understand what motivates each student and provide opportunities for their individual abilities to develop. This philosophy is especially important during the primary years, when children are discovering what they enjoy and beginning to understand their own strengths. A positive early experience can inspire an interest that continues for many years. Equally, trying something new can help a child discover an unexpected talent or gain confidence in an unfamiliar setting.

Liza’s achievement reminds us that personal development is not about comparing children with one another. It is about recognising the progress each child makes from their own starting point. Her Distinction is a wonderful result, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate her individual musical journey.

Music Education at La Garenne

Music is an important part of the educational experience at La Garenne. From Year 2 onwards, primary students have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument as part of the curriculum, giving children a foundation from which to explore their musical interests. This approach reflects our belief that young people benefit from exposure to different experiences while having the opportunity to develop the interests that matter most to them.

Learning an instrument combines technical understanding with creativity and personal expression. Students begin by exploring sounds, rhythms and musical patterns, gradually developing the ability to communicate ideas and emotions through performance. As their confidence grows, they can take on increasingly demanding pieces, discover different musical styles and develop a greater appreciation for the work involved in creating music. Importantly, musical development does not follow exactly the same timetable for every child. Some students may feel comfortable performing from an early age, while others prefer to build their confidence gradually. Some enjoy the structure of preparing for examinations, while others are particularly motivated by playing with fellow musicians. Recognising these differences helps make music a meaningful part of each student’s educational journey rather than simply another activity on the timetable.

Understanding the ABRSM Examination Pathway

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) offers internationally recognised music examinations that provide students with a structured way to develop and demonstrate their musical skills. For young pianists, the Initial Grade examination represents an early step in this journey. It introduces students to formal musical assessment and gives them an opportunity to work towards a clearly defined goal.

Preparing for an examination encourages students to develop several complementary skills. Technical accuracy is important, but so are musical understanding, listening and expression. A successful performance requires students to bring these elements together and demonstrate what they have learned. The examination process can also help young musicians become more comfortable with setting goals and evaluating their progress. Preparing a piece over several weeks involves identifying areas for improvement, responding to feedback and recognising how consistent effort can lead to meaningful results.

For Liza, achieving Distinction in her first examination is an especially encouraging milestone. Her score of 135 out of 150 marks reflects a high standard of performance at this stage of her musical education. It is also a reminder that ambitious goals can be appropriate for young learners when they are accompanied by encouragement, preparation and opportunities to grow.

Learning Confidence Through Challenge

One of the most valuable aspects of learning music is the relationship between effort and progress.

A new piece may initially seem difficult. A particular rhythm might require repeated practice, or a passage may take time to feel comfortable. With patience, students gradually begin to recognise improvements that once seemed out of reach. These experiences help children understand that difficulty is not necessarily a reason to stop. It can be an invitation to try a different approach, seek guidance or practise a little more. At La Garenne, resilience is an important part of our educational philosophy. Our school motto, “Be Happy and Never, Never, Never Give Up,” reflects the importance we place on developing confidence and perseverance while maintaining a positive relationship with learning.

Music offers a particularly meaningful way to experience this philosophy. Progress is often gradual and personal, and children can hear the difference between their first attempt and a more confident performance.

Taking a formal examination introduces another kind of challenge. Students must bring together their preparation, concentration and musical skills in a particular moment. Learning to approach such experiences with confidence can be valuable in many other areas of school life. Liza’s achievement provides a wonderful example of the rewards that can follow dedication and perseverance.

Celebrating Achievement Within a Supportive Community

Personal achievement becomes even more meaningful when it is recognised and celebrated by others. Our close-knit, family-oriented environment encourages students to take pride in their own progress while appreciating the achievements of their classmates. Celebrating a musical Distinction is therefore about more than acknowledging an examination score. It is about recognising an individual’s interests, effort and willingness to challenge themselves. These moments can also inspire other children. Seeing a fellow student succeed may encourage someone to try an instrument, take part in a performance or pursue a personal ambition they had not previously considered. A supportive school community helps make these steps feel possible. When students know that their interests are valued, they can become more willing to explore unfamiliar activities and share their talents with others.

At the same time, recognising different kinds of achievement is essential. Not every milestone involves an examination or a formal award. Learning a first melody, performing in front of classmates or finding the confidence to participate can be equally significant for an individual child. This understanding is central to our approach: each student should have opportunities to experience progress, develop a sense of belonging and feel appreciated for who they are.

Beyond the Examination: A Lifelong Appreciation of Music

Although Liza’s first ABRSM Distinction is an important milestone, musical education offers benefits that reach beyond any individual examination. Playing an instrument provides opportunities for creativity, concentration and self-expression. It can also encourage children to listen attentively, appreciate different perspectives and develop an understanding of how individual contributions can form part of something larger.

For students who participate in ensembles or performances, music introduces the importance of collaboration. Musicians must listen to one another, respond to a shared rhythm and understand how their individual part contributes to the overall result. Even when learning independently, students develop valuable habits through setting goals, organising their practice and reflecting on their progress. These experiences contribute to the development of the whole child. They can encourage independence while helping young people discover activities that bring them enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

At La Garenne, we want students to leave school with more than academic knowledge. We hope they develop interests, confidence and a curiosity that continues to shape their lives long after their formal education. A love of music can become part of that lifelong journey, whether a student chooses to pursue advanced musical studies or simply continues playing for personal enjoyment.

A Wonderful First Achievement

A huge congratulations to Liza on this outstanding success. It is a joy to celebrate this achievement and to see her continue to flourish as a young musician. Her first ABRSM Distinction represents an excellent beginning, but it also reflects something that matters deeply to us at La Garenne: the importance of helping each child discover their potential and find confidence through their own interests.

We are proud of Liza’s achievement and look forward to seeing where her musical journey takes her next. Her story is a reminder that education is not only about the qualifications students achieve, but also about the interests they discover, the challenges they embrace and the people they become along the way.