2024 COLLEGE DUX

DUX SPEECH

DARCY NOONAN

Good morning Mr Kluske, College Executive, Staff, Students and Families.

I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to be invited back today as the 2024 College Dux.

Completing Year 12 is more than a personal accomplishment. It would not have been possible without help from our teachers, friends, and family. I want to take a moment to thank all our teachers who have played an integral role in our lives. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to our growth has not only shaped our academic knowledge but has also inspired us to be better individuals. 

I would like to give a special thanks to my Year 12 teachers, Mr Paolucci, Mr Blows, Ms Abraham, Mr McGlashan, and Ms Cappola. I truly could not have done it without you. I would also like to thank Mr Kluske and the wider St Joseph's College community for the endless opportunities and resources available to support our growth and learning. Most importantly, I want to thank my family for their constant love and support. Thanks, Dad, for the long Sunday night drive home from Downhill Mountain bike races so that I could be at school the next morning, and thanks, Mum, for always reminding me to do my English homework. You have been by my side since day one and have never held me back, so thank you. 

Year 12 was a challenging year but also an extremely rewarding one. You see, coming into Year 12, I was under the impression that getting a high ATAR would come at the expense of my personal life. As the year went on, I soon discovered that Year 12 was not all about studying. Now, I am not saying that you can just cruise through school and expect a good score. What I mean is that it is important to have a balance between school and your personal life. I realised that time spent going for a ride or catching up with mates would take the pressure off me, helping me focus and be productive when it mattered. 

I also discovered that we must not compare ourselves to others. Personality is important, and everybody learns differently. Choose subjects that you love. Live in the moment and be open to new challenges. At the end of the day, when you walk out of that last exam, you will feel relieved knowing that you have made the most of every opportunity and had fun along the way as well. I encourage you all to know your limits, know when it is time to work hard and know when it is time to take a break. High school is tough. There will be times where juggling classwork and exam practice papers will feel impossible. Remember to work hard, remain consistent, and put your all into everything you do, but not at the expense of your relationships and wellbeing. 

Although I am sad that my time at St Joseph’s College has ended, I am excited for the next part of my life. I will be moving to Melbourne this year to Study Mechanical Engineering at Monash University. I am prepared and look forward to any challenge that life throws at me. Once again, I am so grateful for the guidance, opportunities, and inspiration that St Joseph’s College gave me. I look forward to hearing about all your future achievements. Thank you once again, and best of luck with your future endeavours!