Year 12 Valedictory Dinner

Valedictory Dinner

The Year 12s celebrated the end of the secondary school journey with their families and the senior teachers on Wednesday 27th November.

All students were presented with their graduation certificates and Year 12 photos, Georgia S. and Keziah H. performed in front of their peers one last time and the 2024 Valedictorian was announced...congratulations Paes K.

Paes made a heartfelt speech on the night...

Good evening, everyone.

 

As we gather here today, I stand before you filled with gratitude and honour in being named the 2024 Valedictorian of the graduating class at Cheltenham Secondary College. First and foremost, I want to thank the Lord for His guidance and grace, which have carried me-and all of us-through moments of doubt, struggle, and triumph. Without His strength, none of this would have been possible. 

 

This year has been a remarkable journey, one that we navigated together, supporting one another through every challenge and celebrating our successes as a community.

 

Throughout our years at Cheltenham, our time together does not come easy. From our first day at the college as small fish in a big pond, our freshly pressed uniforms were sizes too big because we would grow into them. Battling through online school, I can say for myself, was truly an experience logging on from overseas. Each and every one of us had their struggles of bad connection problems which meant our camera’s would be off. 

 

This year, we’ve not only achieved academic success, but we’ve also forged lasting friendships and memories. The numerous times we were told to read the question carefully in math, the boys roughhousing near the lockers and Gerry’s morning weather reports. These core memories have been thoroughly ingrained as a reminder of the rollercoaster high school has to offer.

 

 I want to take this time in expressing my heartfelt thanks to our incredible teachers. Your dedication, passion, and unwavering support have inspired us to strive for greatness. You challenged us to think critically, encouraged our creativity, and believed in us even when we doubted ourselves. Thank you for nurturing our dreams and guiding us every step of the way.

 

To my peers, words can’t describe how much this cohort means to me. We’ve shared our ups and downs together, and overcome challenges day by day. Our constant support for one another has strengthened the bond we have, leaving a lasting impression on what the future has in store for us. You have all contributed in making my time at Cheltenham one to remember, and I am truly grateful for that.

 

To our families and friends, your love and encouragement have been our foundation. Thank you for your sacrifices, your late-night pep talks, and your constant belief in us. You have been our biggest supporters, and we could not have reached this milestone without you.

 

As we turn the page of a new chapter in our lives, the importance of embracing what life throws at us goes without saying. The resilience and perseverance we have shown during our time at Cheltenham, has truly shaped the individuals we have become, where success is not just about individual achievements but about lifting each other up along the way.

 

Thank you all for being a part of this unforgettable journey, and to sign off this year I leave you all with a quote by Muhammed Ali that reads “Don’t Count the Days, Make the Days Count”.

 

Congratulations to the Class of 2024.

Here is a selection of pics from the night...

Photo credit: Photos by Kathy Watson