CEO Report
A Moment 13 Years in the Making
By Samantha Kolasa, CEO
A couple of weeks ago, the grounds of my daughter’s school were filled with proud parents, dressed a little nicer than usual, clutching flowers and phones, ready to capture a moment they had been dreaming of for the last 13 years.
As I stood outside the chapel, I spoke with the other parents, but from the corner of my eye, I watched my daughter. Her blazer was crisp; her long hair was tied neatly in a ponytail with a white ribbon. She was glowing. Her eyes shone with emotion – but also with a sense of relief that said ‘I made it. Year 12 done.’ Just like that.
I remember her first day of kindergarten. She was already so confident and wise, but she also stood very close to me with her backpack that seemed too big for her body. Back then, I couldn’t even imagine the end of year 12. As I stood outside the chapel, I wondered how I was going to let her go.
The grounds of my daughter’s school are shared with the early learning centre. From where I stood that day, I could hear the squeals of delight from the kindergarten children who were also enjoying their own milestone. I could see them running and laughing with literally not a care in the world. It was heart-warming.
The woman beside me asked if I remembered those days. I smiled. I remember every single moment. The triumphs, the tears, the logistics, the calling on favours, the mother guilt, the celebrations, the frustrations, the book week costumes, the sports days, the school musicals……and I am so grateful for all of it. Back then, my daughter loved her lunch order on a Friday. This year, her and her friends walk into the city at lunch time. Both are things to be celebrated.
They say the time from kindergarten to year 12 passes in the blink of an eye. Now that she has completed year 12… I swear I blinked.
Right now, I am the proudest I have ever been. Not because of her grades, or awards, or achievements, I’m proud of who she has become. Of how she’s grown. Of how we have all grown. We’ve made it.
You never stop worrying. I think you just worry about new things. However, as time goes on, you learn to trust them, and to trust yourself.
As your children finish kindergarten and begin school, it is a time of firsts. First friendships, first time navigating the world without you always by their side. The end of year 12 brings a deeper, more reflective sense of pride. It’s about resilience, independence, and who they have become. Exams, friendships, heartbreaks, identity struggles, mistakes, and victories. It’s the end of a long chapter, and a lifetime since ‘we’re going on a bear hunt….’
However, the similarities between the end of kindergarten and year 12 are real. Both are milestones of growth. Kindergarten is like watching them take their first step, whilst year 12 is watching them prepare to take on the world. Your heart feels so full in both cases. One is the start of the journey; the other is the moment you realise how far you’ve come.
A Year of Achievements
Our final newsletter this year is about achievements. My greatest achievement is my daughter. It honestly feels like we just started her educational journey, and now it's over.
Don’t spend too much time blinking… you don’t want to miss a thing.
