From the Principal Class Team

Dear Parents and Guardians

As soon as Term 4 begins, so too, does the gradual process of farewelling our students, for some just temporarily, but for others, such as our graduating Year 12’s. It is a final goodbye to them as students of St Albans Secondary College.

 

Last week, 1,100 students current and former, staff, family members, school councillors and business and community partners gathered at the Moonee Valley Function Centre to celebrate the graduation from Secondary School of our 183 VCAL and VCE Students.

 

Together we acknowledged their individual and collective contributions to the school, and their achievements in diverse areas, including leadership, citizenship and team work, and in their academic studies.

 

One of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of the evening is witnessing the pride of parents and families when they see their hopes and dreams for their daughters and sons being realised in the completion of their school education. The support that parents give staff and the school makes such a difference to the work we do together for our students, and we value it enormously. Congratulations to each of our Year 12 parents on the graduation of your daughters and sons from Secondary School.

 

And, in terms of hopes and dreams, the advice about achieving them couldn’t have been clearer than it was from our guest speaker at the Awards Night, International lawyer, champion of the power of education, and former St Albans Secondary College student, Simela Karasividis.

 

Her Message to the Year 12 students was simple and straightforward, but also one that demands self-knowledge and courage, determination and perseverance.

 

Simela urged them to follow their dreams, to dream big, and to reach for the stars. She urged them to refuse to listen when people tell them they can’t do this, or they will never be able to do that; hold fast to their beliefs in themselves, and to their dreams. Have the courage to carve out and follow their own pathway, and to get back up and dust themselves off when they hit a bump in the road. And most importantly, to approach others with kind hearts and a generosity of spirit.

 

As each graduate crossed the stage to be presented with their Graduation Certificate, it was impossible not to experience the sense of pride and achievement felt by each student and their family. It was palpable throughout the room.

 

Congratulations to each of the students who were awarded subject prizes. They were selected by their teachers for their commitment to their studies and their academic achievement.

 

We also congratulate the award and scholarship winners. A list of all the subject prize winners and awards and scholarships is listed on the Year 12 Awards Night page of this edition of Alba.

Year 12 Captains Habiba Habib and Daniel San Jose presented the valedictory speech on behalf of the Year 12 students, and spoke so well about their six years at St Albans Secondary College. They paid tribute to their teachers and support staff, families and friends, and to the Senior Sub School team. Sylvia Pham spoke from the perspective and on behalf of the International Students. Her moving speech delivered in English and then in Vietnamese reduced a few in the audience to tears.

 

Organising an event that brings together so many people requires time, patience and dedication. We particularly want to commend the Senior Sub School team, Stav Bekiaris, Anna Woods, Laura Gough, Robert Krysinski, Wendy Mair and Rosemary Bambery on an excellent and truly memorable occasion. Our heartfelt thanks to each of you.

 

And thank you, too, to James Orchard and the three Year 12 VET Music groups for the wonderful music performances throughout the night.

The three groups were:

  • Vocal duo: Laeticia Santos and Sophia Sunga,
  • Holly Ziessler (vocals) Oli Lavea (keyboard) Kristine Pham Dang (guitar) Natan Gessesse (guitar) Kevin Mai (electric bass) and Daniel San Jose (drums)
  • Andria Pido (vocals) Elaine Talia (vocals) Oli Lavea (keyboard) Kristine Pham Dang (guitar) Kevin Mai (electric bass) Daniel San Jose (drums). This group included a special guest vocalist: Cheryl Lafituanai from Marian College. Cheryl was a member of the 2019 Units 1 and 2 VET Music cluster at S.A.S.C.

In every way, the 2019 Awards Night was an event that reinforced how fortunate we each are to be part of the St Albans community, and how proud we should be of our students and staff.