Captain's Speeches - Thanksgiving 2023

I’m Sam, and I’m Sophie, and we are, or were, the College Captains for 2023. It’s our privilege to be here tonight, as we recap and reflect on the year that has been in an evening of thankfulness, music, and new buildings.

As School Captains, really, our only brief is to organise ‘College News’ and to “lead” . 

Mr. Venour helpfully defines school leadership as making steps to change and challenge the culture.

In exploring the new structure of leadership however, the school’s commitment to making student voices heard has become clearer. As an eager Year 7 with a shiny new camera drone, I distinctly remember the day I was approached to help film highlights of the Primary Athletics back in 2018. 

Although at the time it had me excited for a day off, reflecting on this 5 years later, I believe it’s these small moments that I am most grateful for in my time at school. Moments where students are given the opportunity to use their talents to serve the community. For me, they’ve helped shape the leader and person that I am today. 

The culture here at Donvale was palpable for me in Year 7, and still is to this day. I started here in 2018, nervous about moving to a new school where I didn’t know a single person besides my brothers who were “too cool” to talk to me.

I’m usually quite nervous about trying new things, nothing scarier than the dreaded 'Creative Arts Week' where our regular school routine is scrapped for… performance. And painting. For an academic such as myself, this idea was a nightmare. 

Nothing encapsulates my time at Donvale better than the experience of stepping into the Gym at 9.00am in the morning of the first day of CAW, mildly panicked, to then see my Year 7 science teacher in a wig playing air guitar on stage. And then seeing older students and my fellow peers take the lead on stage to sing and dance with little preparation. 

It’s the feeling of community and support that lets us get away with the otherwise, embarrassing. And it’s the people who lead the way for the anxious and reserved to follow suit.

These moments define the unique ethos at Donvale, where the daunting becomes shared laughter. For those that don’t know me, a performer is something I am certainly not. Last year however, as a customary tradition for House leaders, I was required to take part in a student cameo during one of the performances. Though it was something I dreaded, that same image of previous students and teachers who were willing to give it a go was all I could see under my eyelids. 

It was that demonstration of enthusiastic participation that led me to step out of my comfort zone. Promoting growth within myself, and hopefully encouraging other students to see my community engagement and mimic it one day as I did.

In reflecting over my experience over the last six years at this school, the most significant experiences have always been catalysed and encouraged by the staff here. Teachers who go out of their way to support us, challenge us, and acknowledge us. Christ-like leadership is found here, in service. 

"For the son of man did not come to be served, but TO serve." 

This lived out service, in teaching us, praying over us, answering our Chemistry questions at 11pm at night has been the example modelled to us, and to the student body, of leadership and of love.

Going to a Christian school is a strange experience, where faith is taught, and sometimes presumed. But it has been a real blessing to grow in an environment that encourages trust in God, surrounded by people who so genuinely care about your relationship and standing with Jesus. Whether that’s teachers, or other students, or friends, willing to talk through doubt, forgiveness, or faith.

The environment Donvale provided me is such that I feel I have owned my faith. By the influence of those around me, it's not felt forced or stigmatised. Instead, the steady path guided by those that I trust, and respect has encouraged curiosity and naturally lead me to a personal relationship with Christ.

And so, our own experience of leadership, this year, and throughout our time at school, has been shaped by this. To use our gifts to serve others, in a way to influence culture. 

I have seen leaders in my friends, in my teachers, in people younger and older than me as they step up to lead, using their gifts whether in academics, in kindness, or generosity, in intelligence, or organisational skills, to serve those around them. 

As captains, I think Sam and I can safely say that our reliance on God has been the only thing getting us through our leadership role this year. That through the stress, through our weakness and awkwardness, we have found our footing in this role, grounded in God’s ability to work and in that. 

I remember my first time ever speaking at an assembly in Year 11, I was convinced I was going to either pass out or throw up. Mrs Albury looked very concerned. I was giving a devotion, and I knew it was important. And so, even though I do not have a gift in public speaking, or at least confidence in it, I had trust in a God who sustains, and I got up the front and spoke. 

Somehow, I got through the devotion, aware of my own incompetence and still very nauseous, but amazed at God’s provision in my weakness.

This is the God that we serve, one who is good, and perfect in our own imperfection. 

From starting Year 7, to the gruelling years of online school, to entering VCE and now graduating, Donvale has been a place where we have grown in our knowledge of Maths, English, friendships, and hardships.

But most importantly it has been a place that has grown us in understanding and knowledge of a God who serves, and loves, and leads us towards righteousness.

That is what makes Donvale special. And it is a service and love shown by the community - the staff, parents, and students - that only makes sense when you know what inspires it.

And that is, a God who serves, and a God who loves, even when that doesn’t make sense. A love that is undeserved, a grace that is insurmountable, and a hope that anchors and defines us.