“My name is Rocío Gancedo, class of 2000 (25 years already… wow!). I’m an economist, currently a strategic business consultant, and I spent most of my professional career in the financial sector. I look back very fondly on my time at the school and, if I had to choose the things I treasure most, they would be:

My friends, whom I met thanks to the school and with whom I’ve been nurturing our bond for almost 30 years now.

The academic education I received, from many teachers who taught us with passion, thanks to which adapting to university was really very easy.

The chance to become bilingual, which, had I tried as an adult, would surely have been much harder.

The preparation for the international exams, which in my case also led me to discover my profession.

The excellent way the academic side was complemented by the arts and sport, allowing each student to learn, grow, enjoy themselves and shine in different areas.”

“For the past 10 years I have worked as a biochemist in the Molecular Biology Lab of the Haematology and Oncology Department at Garrahan Hospital, providing diagnostic support to ensure comprehensive care for paediatric patients with haematological and oncological diseases. I can say that Balmoral was my second home from the age of 2 to 17. There I not only received an excellent academic education, but was also instilled with values that shaped me as a person. It was in those classrooms that my vocation was born: I clearly remember Sandra’s morning classes and Tere’s afternoon ones, when we first learned what a gene was and discovered Mendel’s laws. That discovery sparked my interest in genetics, which over time became the passion that has guided my professional career.”

“I’m a medical oncologist and today I work in the pharmaceutical industry. I’m the Head of the Global Medical Department for Immuno-Oncology at AstraZeneca, a multinational company. My day-to-day work focuses on lung cancer, mesothelioma and head and neck tumours. I’m based in the United States, in Maryland, very close to Washington DC, but my role is global: I work with scientific and clinical teams around the world to develop and bring forward new therapies that can change the lives of thousands of patients. It’s a role that combines science, strategy and, above all, an enormous human purpose.

Balmoral was a cornerstone of my education and that of my siblings, not only because of the English, which clearly opened doors for me in a global career, but because the school always valued education, respect, curiosity and perseverance. It gave me confidence, values and, above all, many friends who are still with me today. Sport was also key: you learn to work as a team, to put in the effort and to believe that you can always go one step further.”

“School gave me much more than knowledge: it gave me tools that I still use every day at university and in my personal life. I learned the value of effort, perseverance and teamwork, but also the importance of believing in myself and trusting others. Thanks to the support of teachers and classmates, I was able to grow not only as a student, but as a person. Today I look back on Balmoral with gratitude, knowing that everything I learned there helped me become who I am today.”

“I wanted to thank you for hosting me for the climate change discussion session and reading of Paddle & Pounce. It was a real pleasure to interact with the students and staff, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to have been part of your school community during this activity.” Sonja Scherling, author of Paddle & Pounce go on an Iceberg Adventure – A children’s book on climate change.