Last Day Year 12

The Class of 2022 celebrated their final day at Girton Grammar School on Friday 14 October. The day began with a service at Forest Hill Uniting Church, where students were joined by Reverend Di Esbensen, Reverend Karen Reid, Dr Emma O’Rielly, parents, carers, teachers and staff. At the end of the service, students each lit a ceremonial candle and sang a moving rendition of Green Day’s ‘Time of your Life.’

The 2022 cohort then headed back to School for shirt signing and morning tea in the gym. During their final assembly, Year 11 hosts, Polly Robertson and Remus Brasier welcomed Prep students to the stage to sing a final song to the Year 12s. The Year 12 students presented the Preps with a seedling, in hope that when they reach the end of their own school journey, they can appreciate how much the seedling has grown, as have they. 

Indi-Mara Bodin and Ella Townsend performed a beautiful version of ‘Slipping through my fingers’ by ABBA, Manaal Jeddi moved the audience with ‘When we were young’ by Adele, and Year 12 boy band, Poking Bugs (Oliver Scott, Jonte Breen, Henry Livingstone and Will Hamilton) shared their final on-campus performance of ‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol. 

During her farewell speech, Year 12 student Abigail O’Sullivan reminded students of some memorable moments during the cohort’s student journey, and on behalf of the Year 11 students, Sophie Mayes finished with a message of gratitude. “Thank you for taking the torch and holding it high,” Sophie said. “Thank you for being role models. Thank you for the legacy you have left. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, leadership and humour.”

As the students prepare to commence the next chapter of their lives, Girton Principal, Dr O’Rielly shared some observations of a Harvard University Commencement Speech made by Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Arden. “We often hear that you reap what you sow, and Prime Minister Arden is a fine example of this,” Dr O’Rielly said. 

“As you head into your final examinations, I have no doubt that your effort, enthusiasm, focus, determination and persistence will serve you well. But please know that the results you receive at the end of the year will not define you. What really counts is the decisions and the choices you will make from now, the commencement into your new life. And not just the big decisions, but also the small things. The way you greet people, the way you speak to them, the way you care for people and encourage them. A truly meaningful life is made up of a series of small daily acts of decency and kindness, which add up to something truly great over the course of a lifetime. We choose what we put out into the world, and – this is important - we choose how to interpret and how to react to what comes back to us. If you are optimistic at heart, like Jacinda Arden, then good will go out, and good will come back.”

To end the assembly, the entire Year 12 cohort performed a song and dance to ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift, and staff, teachers, parents and carers applauded the students as they left the building.

Games, activities and pizza were then enjoyed in the gym, after a last-minute location change from Bendigo East Pool due to the wild weather.

We would like to thank the teachers and staff who went above and beyond to ensure the Year 12 students enjoyed a memorable final day in the face of extreme weather today. Thank you also to the Senior and Junior teaching staff who supported the 7-11 students on a day impacted by these celebrations, as well as timetable changes and staff absences due to the extreme weather.

We are immensely proud of the Class of 2022 and wish them the best as they prepare for their final examinations and commence this exciting new journey.