Thomas Philip De Bono, an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma graduate, received St Edward’s College first ever Chairman’s Special Award for Initiative after he pointed out a regional IB office’s error, which led to it being corrected for IB students worldwide.
John Portelli, chairman of the college’s board of governors, commended De Bono for his acute observation on which general regulations were applicable to last May’s IB session. De Bono’s initiative and perseverance led to the IB board at its headquarters in Geneva to overturn an incorrect decision taken by its Cardiff regional office.
Portelli said: “I am sure IB students worldwide are equally grateful, and ultimately the IB organisation in Geneva, which benefited by addressing the injustice you brought to their attention.”
The award was presented to De Bono by Lord Igor Judge, a former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, during the college’s Prize Day. He also received prizes for being first in class in Theory of Knowledge and Italian.