Valedictory Ceremony, 13th December 2024

Principal Address

Lalor North Secondary College

Timothy Cottrell

College Council President, Robyn Bogoevski, and members Council, Assistant Principal, Selen Atilla, Director of Senior School, Chris Danher, and Engagement Leader Carla Russo, and Year 11 Engagement Leader, Michelle Lemire, and all our wonderful teachers and education support staff, families, and friends of our students, and – most of all – to our graduating class of 2024.

You all look magnificent. You are wonderful, wonderful people. It is a privilege to speak to you tonight.

What does it mean to graduate? I believe that, first and foremost, it means you are here. You have found a way…persisted enough and found sufficient support to reach this point to be here with your peers.

Beyond any current statistic that you have on paper, you’ve been able to secure an important foothold, and draw upon others…you’ve created connection to be here for this milestone in your lives.

I would like every one of you to personally acknowledge and honour this important truth about yourselves.

Honour, also, that some of your peers have achieved this milestone in part because of your belief in them, and your influence upon them. That is a very special thing.

Tonight is about you - your legacy – this is what we are most grateful to you for – the contribution you’ve made to our wonderful college in your time….it’s growing strongly and in exciting ways – and this is in many ways down to you…

We are going to miss you. Your humour, quirkiness, individuality, your strengths, passions, and your vulnerabilities.

What is education if it is not development of understanding, an ability to - while taking good care of ourselves – avoid judging others. To be possessed of an ability to reflect long enough so that connections are made, to celebrate difference, and to understand that – despite challenges – we are a community that can strengthen one another and rise together.

I often like to use the quote by John Schaar that ’The future is not somewhere we are going, it is something we are creating, that the paths are not to be found, but to be made, and that the action of making them changes forever the maker, and the destination’ ….it is because I know with all my heart that we can create our futures – as individuals and a community - despite our hurdles – all of us - with determined and positive action in our hearts.

Make mistakes - plenty of them if necessary - fail miserably at times – for you can’t create if you don’t - but believe in yourself and enlist those others to assist you in your quest for a meaningful and empowering future….what ever that may hold…You have your own way to do this because you are the only one of you…don’t you think that’s an incredible thought?!...there is nobody quite like you.

And always remember that we are all so much better off because you are simply…here…among us.

It’s not helpful to either dismiss results, or to rest upon them.

It’s always been you that’s is important. So be out amongst it…create paths, build them - new ones – and in the process learn about yourself.

Friends, this is another day in Paradise. We are so, so fortunate in many ways. We have much to be grateful for. I don’t say everything’s perfect, it’s certainly not, but we have so much.

We know we can’t turn back time, or pause it, but I do promise that you can slow it right down by appreciating the beauty in the million small things around you – the simple things – the kindnesses, the creativity, the individuality of others – and in the taking time to acknowledge and reflect on this to build your understanding, the time to reaffirm yourselves, your strengths, and your plans.

What advice would you now give your 12 year old self starting year 7?

It’s ok. You’re ok. You’re – actually - great. Go for it. Be bold. Be yourself. Don’t Judge. Be curious. Reach out. The world is a better place with you in it….

I promise that this is the advice that your 30 year old self would give to you…also…believe that you are great…

You are not departing a community tonight – you are further enriching and expanding your community.

You are always Lalor North – you are family. You won’t want to rock up for another year…sure…but know that we are here for you and would always dearly love to see you and hear about the adventures…naturally be sure to sign in at the office first😉

When we are that shining beacon, a jewel of educational light in the North - as we will soon surely be – as sure as night becomes day – know that you, friends, are in the walls, the floors, and on the rooftops. You stood for something, you put in effort, and you have prevailed.

We have been so lucky to have you for these six years of your lives, and you have been so lucky to have one another.

So come and say hello and make sure we are looking after the place.

Thank you to our families that have come out in such strong support, and pride, and thank you to our wonderful staff that are here tonight in such large numbers, or here in spirit.

Timothy Cottrell

PRINCIPAL

LALOR NORTH SECONDARY COLLEGE

Year 7 & 8 Assembly