Concord College International School (CCIS) is thrilled to announce that Clarisse and Arielle from Year 7 have been shortlisted for the 2026 John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize in the Psychology Category. This prestigious recognition places them among the top 17.5% of a record-breaking field – over 100,000 entries from 187 countries compared to last year’s over 65,000 entries.
The John Locke Institute Essay Prize is one of the world’s most competitive academic writing competitions for young minds. It challenges students to go beyond the confines of the school curriculum and engage with complex, thought-provoking questions that demand original reasoning, intellectual courage, and stylistic clarity. The competition rewards essays that demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant material, competent use of evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure and writing style, and persuasive force. Successful entries are those that answer the question as precisely and directly as possible, while also addressing the strongest counter-arguments—because, as the Institute notes, essays that ignore or fail to address objections are unlikely to succeed.
For Clarisse and Arielle, this achievement did not come overnight. Under the expert guidance of Mr. David Geary from the Humanities Department, the pair immersed themselves in a rigorous process of research, drafting, and revision. They received feedback with openness and maturity, refining their arguments with discipline and perseverance. The result was a pair of essays that demonstrated not just technical skill, but genuine intellectual curiosity – exactly the kind of writing the John Locke Institute seeks to reward.
Their success also carries a meaningful legacy. Last year, Jasmine made history as the school’s very first shortlisted entrant in the same category, paving the way for future Concordians. Clarisse and Arielle have now built on that foundation, proving that excellence is not a one-time occurrence but a growing tradition within our community.
Mr. David Geary shared his thoughts on their journey: “Both girls have an obvious flair for the humanities in general and it is great to see them extend this beyond the classroom like this. I am excited to see how much more they can accomplish over the coming years.”
“This achievement reflects the broader spirit of learning we champion at CCIS. One that encourages students to think critically, and engage with the world beyond the classroom. We believe that academic excellence is not measured solely by grades, but by the courage to ask difficult questions and the discipline to craft thoughtful answers,” said Dr. Phil Outram, Executive Principal.
The CCIS community extend our heartfelt congratulations to Clarisse and Arielle for their outstanding accomplishment, and thank the Humanities Department and Mr. David Geary for their unwavering commitment to nurturing young talents.
