Valedictory

Year 12 Valedictory

On the evening of Wednesday 15 December, 520 members of our community attended the Valedictory Dinner at San Remo Ballroom to celebrate the Graduation of our Year 12 students.

It was a moment for students to stop, reflect and remember what they achieved over 13 years of schooling, to celebrate the relationships they have formed along the way and to savour all the challenges that they overcame to get to this point in time.

Throughout the night, students, their families, and staff enjoyed a beautiful three-course meal and had the opportunity to have professional photos taken.  We continued our new tradition of opening the dance floor with a parent/student dance and it was fantastic to see the dance floor full with many families celebrating the night on the dance floor later in the evening as well. 

One of the highlights of the evening was Mr Mark Oudshoorn’s final speech, which included a pun with the name of every student in Year 12, which had the entire audience smiling and laughing, throughout. 

In the words of our Principal, Mr Murphy: 

“The world awaits the talents and contributions that each of you has to offer, and I have full confidence that you will make Wantirna College proud. Once again, congratulations Graduates! May your journey ahead be filled with endless possibilities and unparalleled success. And don’t be strangers, come back and visit and let us know what you’re up to when you on the next journey in life.” 

This year we have had the honour of supporting the Year 12 cohort through their final year of high school education. We have thoroughly enjoyed being able to facilitate a range of activities and events across the year that we hope have created lasting memories for you all. We know that this year was challenging at times, but you demonstrated resilience by maintaining commitment to completing coursework, extending your skills and taking on new opportunities. We are so proud of you! Congratulations to the class of 2023!

All professional photos are complimentary and will be emailed directly to families by the photographer using facial recognition. Everyone who attended Valedictory can register to receive their photo by scanning the following QR Code: 

Katerina Fonda and Mr Benn Pollock 

Year 12 Year Level Leaders

Award Recipients

At Valedictory, all students were presented with their Graduation Certificates in front of a proud and euphoric audience of parents and other special guests. The introduction of academic graduation gowns and a commemorative graduation sash ensured that the students were presented in style, and also had a wonderful keepsake of both the evening and their time at Wantirna College.

The audience were treated to speeches from College Leaders as well as our College Captains (Olivia, Zarak, Sophie and Callum), who paid tribute to the roles played by  families, teachers and friends in supporting Year 12's through the last six years of school. There is no doubt that the Class of 2023 have a lot to look forward to in the future.

Following the formalities of the evening, parents and students joined together for the now traditional parent-student dance, which was a lovely chance for some great photos and a moment of reflection and contemplation. 

We were also able to acknowledge our most outstanding students with subject awards for each VCE and VM subject, as well as awards for our top achievers in VET courses. These award recipients are listed below.

Subject Awards

Accounting: Lachlan Lim

Applied Computing – Software Development: Deshlyn Moodley

Art Making and Exhibiting: Lorraine Legaspi

Biology: Marissa Feng

Business Management: Hamzah Bashir

Chemistry: Marissa Feng

Dance: Kesiah Rawlings

English: Aleana Saab

English as an Additional Language: 

Camila Echevarria Burnie

English Language: Marissa Feng

Environmental Science: Jordan Brooke

Food Studies: Kyla Britten

Foundation Mathematics: Morgan Davis

General Mathematics: Gavin Qi

Geography: Jye Papic

Health and Human Development: 

Madison Semmens

History – Revolutions: Freya Makin

Legal Studies: Jordan Brooke

Literacy Skills: Rachael Megee

Literature: Niamh Gallacher

Mathematical Methods: Victor Lang

Media: Freya Makin

Music Repertoire Performance: Orion Rigano

Numeracy Skills: Thomas Will

Personal Development Skills: Joshua Hobbs

Physical Education: Lachlan Howard

Physics: Deshlyn Moodley

Product Design & Technology – Textiles: Candice Goodyer-Scott

Product Design & Technology – Wood: 

Jake McMillan

Psychology: Madison Semmens

Specialist Mathematics: Victor Lang

Systems Engineering: Deshlyn Moodley

Theatre Studies: Freya Makin

Visual Communication: Gavin Qi

Work Related Skills: 

Madison Murphy-O’Meara

Outstanding International Student: 

Carson Leung

VET Awards 

Awarded to the most outstanding student in the Mullum VET cluster. Two of our students won the award for their VET subject.

Certificate III in Beauty Services: 

Madison Murphy-O’Meara

Certificate II in Creative Industries (Media): Joshua Dobson

Thank you to all of those who attended to make it such a memorable evening, and best of luck to the Class of 2023.

Mark Oudshoorn

Assistant Principal