2025 Valedictory

Our year 12 cohort the 'Class of 2025' gathered one final time, at Cathies Lane Receptions on Wednesday 26th November to farewell each other, to farewell their teachers and to celebrate their journey to complete 13 years of schooling. This was also an opportunity for parents and care givers to celebrate this milestone with each other.

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Cheltenham Secondary College congratulates Emily Wingate as the 2025 Valedictorian. For consistently showing genuine compassion, care and respect for everyone around her whilst always demonstrating her personal best.

In 2020, a group of 150 children were thrown into a big new world. If finding our footing, forging friendships, and adjusting from primary school wasn’t challenging enough, within a couple of months, we were plunged into lockdown, spending our junior years of high school learning through Google Meets, and communicating with each other on Houseparty and Google Chats.

I can vividly recall the level of excitement I felt each time it was announced a lockdown would be lifted. I know many of us enjoyed the lazy mornings, casual clothes, and convenient ‘internet issues’ of the pandemic, but personally I longed for the experiences we could’ve otherwise been enjoying. Despite our constant battle for a semblance of normalcy, we made the most of every opportunity we were able to partake in, clinging to hope that one day we would be able to resume a ‘usual’ school experience. No other graduating class can boast about maintaining such a level of resilience as we can.

It is an honour and a privilege to be named Cheltenham Secondary College’s Valedictorian for 2025. I have been extraordinarily lucky to, and have always enjoyed, representing this cohort. It has been a pleasure to go through this journey with you. We have grown together, made copious memories, and formed a family I will treasure forever. My time at Cheltenham Secondary College wouldn’t have been the same with any other group of people, and I am beyond grateful I got to be on this journey with all of you.

We can all agree that this year has had its ups and downs. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions, from stress, anxiety, and moments of despair, to pure joy, spirit and connectedness as we have navigated through it all together. Throughout every difficult moment, we have demonstrated perseverance, determination, and courage. I will remember every moment we have shared together fondly and hold the friendships we have formed this year close to my heart.

To the Year 12 teachers and coordinators: thank you for your hard work, your commitment to our success, and your unwavering support. None of us would be here today without you, and I speak on behalf of every student and parent in the room tonight when I say that we are immensely grateful for all of you. From Ms Arneil’s pep-talks to Ms Caddaye’s flow of chocolates whilst completing practice exams, I know for one I can contribute my wellbeing this year to your understanding, grace, and kindness, and I know I am not alone in this feeling.

To the parents of the graduating class. Thank you doesn’t quite cover how important you are to us. Your unwavering love and support has been imperative to our successes. We wouldn’t have made it here today without you. We appreciate every moment throughout our entire school journey in which you have uplifted us, inspired us, cared for us, and been there for us when we needed you the most. This experience has been one of many trials and uncertainty, not just for us, but you too, and I’d like to recognise how your strength has kept us going, and enabled us to reach this moment tonight.

To the class of 2025, we’ve made it. Regardless of our results, we have completed one of the biggest journeys we will ever embark upon. Tonight marks a massive milestone for all of us, and I for one can say I am so beyond proud of all of us for making it here. Good luck to everyone in all of their future endeavours, no matter how big or ambitious. Do not let anyone tell you that you can not achieve greatness. Remember to work hard, be passionate and believe in yourself.

I hope you all have a wonderful evening, and to the graduating class of 2025, congratulations. Thank you.

Emily W. 2025 Valedictorian

In the dictionary the word Valedictory describes a farewell and that is exactly what we are here to do. Although a Valedictorian will be announced later this evening, tonight is not an awards ceremony for academics or sports. Our Valedictory Dinner is an opportunity for all of us to shine brightly and be celebrated. As the year 12 cohort of 2025 we gather together, one final time, to celebrate the fact that not only did we survive 2025, but we persevered through 13 years of schooling. We all got to this day via different pathways, for some, it seemingly came easy, while for others, it was full of challenges. For all of us it was the start to high school that no one saw coming, and yet here we are, the class of 2025.

No matter the journey taken to get here, we certainly did not do this alone. Valedictory night is the opportunity to say thank you to our families and loved ones. Let’s be honest there are a few Mum’s, Dad’s and Grandparents who deserve a huge congratulations. Valedictory also gives us the chance to thank our amazing teachers for standing in front of us every day and giving us the education and tools we require for whatever comes next. We thank all of the school staff for the part they have played in this part of our lives and thank them for the memories we will cherish.

Abbey H. 2025 Valedictory MC

As we farewell the Class of 2025, we celebrate not only your achievements but the extraordinary journey that has brought you here. From the moment you walked through the gates of Cheltenham Secondary College as Year 7 students in 2020, your path has been anything but ordinary. You began your secondary education amid a time of global uncertainty, learning to adapt, persist, and stay connected through change.

What stands out most about your cohort is not what challenged you, but how you responded. You demonstrated remarkable resilience, empathy, and courage. You built friendships that sustained you, worked hard to achieve your goals, and contributed richly to our school culture through learning, leadership, sport, music, and community.

To our VCE and VCE Vocational Major students: congratulations on reaching this milestone. Whether your next steps lead to university, training, apprenticeships, travel, or work, remember that learning never stops. Your time here has prepared you to embrace opportunities and face the future with confidence. To our teachers and staff, thank you for the care, guidance, and inspiration you have shown. To our parents and families, thank you for your trust, patience, and partnership.

As you move into the next chapter, remember the words of Nelson Mandela:

‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’

You are now ready to make your mark on the world beyond Cheltenham. The College community is immensely proud of you. Congratulations, and may your future be filled with purpose, kindness, and endless possibility. -

Karl Russell, Principal

I would encourage you all to take a moment now with those around you to appreciate that this evening represents the culmination of thirteen years’ worth of schooling and education, which is a most impressive achievement that each and every one of you should be proud of.

There is a quote that reads: ‘Education is not preparation for life, but life itself’ and indeed over your years here at Cheltenham you have all encountered many challenges, and also learned many different kinds of lessons that we know will prepare you for life beyond school. You have all taken this year in particular in stride, and created amazing memories along the way.

It has been an honour and a privilege for me to witness the remarkable progress you have made throughout your journey since being your coordinator in Year 9, and as a coordination team we are excited for all of the adventures that await you. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours and know that whatever you decide to do, you have made us all proud.

Congratulations Class of 2025!

Naomi O'Brien-D'Ambra, Director of Senior School

Staffing Announcement

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Arhontis as Director of Senior School, commencing in 2026.

Helen is an experienced Legal Studies and Business Management teacher who joined Cheltenham Secondary College from Bentleigh Secondary College at the beginning of 2025. She brings over 20 years of experience in education and leadership, with a deep understanding of what is required for students to achieve success with their VCE studies.

Throughout her career, Helen has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence, student wellbeing, and teacher collaboration. As Humanities Domain Leader at Bentleigh SC and a VCAA Examination Assessor for Legal Studies, she has shown a proven ability to lead teams, support curriculum development, and drive improvement in teaching and learning outcomes.

Helen’s professionalism, expertise, and student-centred approach will be an asset to the College’s leadership team as she continues to enhance the learning, wellbeing, and success of our senior students.

Please join us in congratulating Helen Arhontis on this well-deserved appointment and in supporting her as she steps into this important role in 2026.

Congratulations Ryan F.

We are excited to announce that one of our VM students has signed up for a School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs)!

Ryan F., one of our Year 11 VCE VM students, has gained an electrical apprenticeship through LUME, a company that specialises in electrical work, including maintenance, renovations and DATA installation. Ryan will work on Wednesdays and Fridays for his SBATs, and will do some full-time work over school holidays as he completes his final year at Cheltenham Secondary College.

Congratulations Ryan!

For further information about the Head Start program, please see the website, www.vic.gov.au/headstart and the short video: https://vimeo.com/detmultimedia/review/761312908/43f2dd2d7d

Meet the team...

Naomi O'Brien-D'Ambra Lyndsey Beames Corey Martin

Director of Senior School Senior School Coordinator Senior School Coordinator obr@cheltsec.vic.edu.au bml@cheltsec.vic.edu.au mnc@cheltsec.vic.edu.au

Middle School (Years 9 and 10)

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Meet the team...

Middle School
(Years 9 and 10)