We are delighted to share the exciting news that two of our talented pupils – Maya (Year 11) and Diana (Year 6) – have been awarded first and second place respectively in the 2025 BCI Leonardo Competition. This international competition, open to pupils across the global Brighton College family, celebrates creativity, self-expression and the power of thoughtful storytelling through both visual art and creative writing.
This year’s theme, “Where Do I Belong?”, invited pupils to explore ideas of identity, belonging and personal connection. Maya’s remarkable artwork explores religion and cultural roots, while Diana’s piece beautifully captures the charm and atmosphere of Hội An ancient town.
Reflecting on her inspiration, Maya shared: “I’ve always been really interested in religion and how different it is across different cultures and what it does and brings to people. ‘Where I belong’ made me think of the people in my life who make me feel at home, so I tried to incorporate them into my piece. I also wanted to express where I come from, so I included elements from both England and Vietnam”.
Their achievements are a proud reflection of the creative spirit at Brighton College Vietnam – a place where talent is nurtured and pupils are encouraged to express themselves boldly. We are also grateful to our dedicated teachers, especially in the Art and English Departments, who inspire pupils to look deeply, think critically and share their voices with the world.
Mr Michael Cooper, Director of Art said: “We received an overwhelming number of thoughtful entries this year. I’m incredibly proud of our pupils who engaged with this powerful question through their work.”
The Leonardo Cup dates back to the 1950s as an inter-House competition celebrating artistic skill and collaboration. Revived in 2020, it has since become an annual tradition. Pupils within Brighton College family can submit paintings, sketches, plans, designs, collages, sculpture, textiles, pottery, embroidery, fashion designs, or other 3D permanent artworks as well as stories, essays, poems, speeches, and plays.
