Serena Wins Prestigious ISA Lexden Prize

Presented by the Independent Schools Association (ISA), the Lexden Prize recognises exceptional young people whose achievements extend far beyond academic success. Open to students across hundreds of ISA schools, the award celebrates those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, character and impact within their communities. Each school is permitted to nominate only one student, making selection itself a significant distinction.

To be considered, students must submit a personal statement detailing their achievements, aspirations and contribution to society, supported by a nomination from their school outlining why they are its most remarkable sixth-form student. Winners are chosen not simply for what they have achieved academically, but for the difference they have made to the lives of others.

It is precisely this combination of excellence and impact that makes Serena such a deserving recipient.

An outstanding scholar, Serena joined the College having achieved A*/A/9 grades across 12 GCSE subjects. She has continued to excel academically, achieving three As at AS Level and ranking amongst the top 5% of students in both Biology and Chemistry. Her academic ambition is further reflected in her Extended Project Qualification, which explored the effectiveness of gene therapy compared with traditional chemotherapy, aligning closely with her aspiration to pursue a career in medicine.

Yet Serena's achievements extend far beyond the classroom.

At the age of seven, inspired by her experiences growing up alongside her autistic twin sisters, Serena began making and selling handmade bracelets to raise awareness of autism and fund support for autistic children. What started as a small initiative at her family's kitchen table grew into Serena's Secret, a social enterprise that has since raised more than MYR200,000 (£36,000+) to support autistic children and families.

Over the years, Serena transformed the project into a powerful platform for inclusion. Through Serena's Secret, she has funded therapy, sensory equipment and educational opportunities for underserved autistic children, while also creating employment opportunities for individuals with moderate to severe autism. The initiative later expanded into an autism-friendly café where young autistic people were trained as baristas, helping them develop confidence, independence and workplace skills.

The impact of her work has reached far beyond fundraising. Serena has supported orphanages and communities experiencing poverty in Malaysia, helped children return to education following the pandemic, contributed to Malaysia's first autism-friendly hospital initiative and represented young people in international conversations on inclusion through programmes involving Microsoft and UNICEF. Since joining the College, she has continued her commitment to service through volunteering at Endeavour Academy, supporting students with severe learning difficulties.

Her contribution has already been recognised through a series of national and international awards, including the COBIS Student Achievement Award, the Young Changemakers Award and the STAR Golden Hearts Award, where she became the youngest recipient in the award's history.

What impressed the Lexden Prize judges most, however, was not simply the scale of Serena's achievements, but the purpose behind them.

In her award submission, Serena reflected on how her sisters shaped her outlook on life and inspired her commitment to creating opportunities for others.

"My sisters have taught me life lessons no classroom could ever teach. They opened my eyes to the challenges autistic children and vulnerable patients face and showed me that hope is not something we wait for, but something we build for others through courage, service, empathy and the belief that every child deserves a future."

Those words capture the qualities that define Serena's remarkable journey: compassion paired with action, ambition coupled with service and excellence driven by a desire to improve the lives of others.

Winning the ISA Lexden Prize places Serena amongst a small group of students recognised nationally for making an exceptional contribution both within and beyond education. It is a fitting recognition of a young woman whose impact has already transformed countless lives and whose future promises to be equally extraordinary.

The College extends its sincere thanks to Dr Mona Chaudhury, Minh Nguyen, Ellie Dear and Dr Daniel Jordan for their support throughout the nomination process and for helping to showcase Serena's remarkable achievements on a national stage.