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Hills Road Tutor Honoured with Knighthoo...

Hills Road Tutor Honoured with Knighthood of the Order of the Star of Italy

Anna Di Giovannantonio, long-standing tutor at Hills Road Adult Education, was honoured by the President of the Italian Republic in July.

Published on 15/09/2025

Hills Road is delighted that Anna Di Giovannantonio, long-standing Italian and Classical Studies tutor at Hills Road Adult Education, has been awarded the Honorary Knighthood of the Order of the Star of Italy by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

Anna Di Giovannantonio (centre) with the Consul General of Italy (left)

To be named Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy) is one of the country’s highest civilian honours, awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to promoting Italian culture, language, and community.

Anna, who has taught at Hills Road Adult Education since 2003, received her award at a ceremony at the Italian Embassy in London in July. Several of Anna's Hills Road adult learners from over the years were in attendance, offering support and congratulations on her momentous achievement.

In his address, the Consul General of Italy, Dr Domenico Bellantone, praised Anna's lifelong commitment to teaching and promoting Italian culture in the UK as “extraordinary”. The full statement (in Italian) can be viewed on the Consul General Instagram account - @italyinldn - and an excerpt is available below.

“I am extremely honoured to receive the Star for my teaching at Hills Road - and for my work promoting the Italian language and culture. I dedicate it to the college community."
Anna Di Giovannantonio

Anna Di Giovannantonio (Adult Education Tutor) receiving Honorary Knighthood of the Order of the Star of Italy

Reflecting on the occasion, Anna explains, “I have been teaching at Hills Road since 2003, and among the guests were several of my former and current Hills Road Italianist and Latinist students! It was very moving.”

She added: “I am extremely honoured to receive the Star for my teaching at Hills Road and for my work promoting the Italian language and culture. I dedicate it to the college community.”

Anna's honour is a moment of pride for the entire Hills Road community, and we wholeheartedly thank her for more than two decades of inspiring adult learners. If that group includes you, please do contact the College, as we would be delighted to collect well-wishes from some of Anna’s students over the years.

Hills Road Adult Education offers a wide range of part-time courses for adults across Cambridge and beyond. As well as Italian for all levels, courses cover a vast variety of languages, arts, and professional skills. Welcoming around 4,000 adult learners each year, the programme provides opportunities for personal growth, career development, and community learning in a welcoming and supportive environment.

You can read more and watch a video of the ceremony (in Italian) here.

“Since moving to the United Kingdom, Professor Di Giovannantonio has played an extraordinary role in promoting the Italian language and culture. She teaches language, literature, and classical studies at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge. [She] has extensive experience as a teacher, supervisor, assessor, and examiner, and is a point of reference for several British colleges... [and is] testament to Italian excellence worldwide and the importance of cultural diplomacy.”
Consul General of Italy, Dr Domenico Bellantone (translation)