Congratulations
To the Year 12 graduating class of 2019
At Cecil Hills High School, we demand high expectations in everything we do. You’ve not only met these expectations – you’ve exceeded them. In years to come, you may not remember which novel you studied for English and you may forget the Maths formula that you once knew off by heart, however, you will never forget the experience that is high school.
As you know, the teachers at Cecil Hills High School worked tirelessly for you and they genuinely value the connections they’ve developed and are committed to seeing you turn into tomorrow’s leaders. All of your teachers have invested their heart and soul into your grade and their reward is seeing you graduate.
Since 2007, when you were in Kindergarten, so much has changed in the thirteen years you’ve been attending school. In 2007, in Australia, we had a population of 20 million, the PlayStation 3 was released, Happy Feet the movie won an Academy Award, 200,000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to celebrate its 75th birthday, the very first Earth Hour was held in Sydney, the final season of Kath & Kim went to air, Seven HD was launched making it the first high-definition TV channel in Australia, Australia won the cricket Ashes series 5-0, Summer Heights High and Dorothy the Dinosaur both commenced on television, The Simpsons was only up to Episode #388 (it is now up to Episode #663), the highest grossing film was Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and in a great year for sequels, Spiderman 3, Shrek the Third and Harry Potter 5 were all Hollywood blockbusters. And in a worldwide phenomenon, causing me to coin the phrase “off and out of sight”, the very first iPhone was released and cost $499 for the 4GB model.
I’m very excited and a bit jealous considering the adventures that lie ahead of you. This is the start of a new chapter of your lives where you’ll discover yourselves, define your place in the world and forge your own path.
Cecil Hills High School is firmly built on mutual respect between staff and students and the class of 2019 has continued that tradition. I’m proud of the fact that you’re all individuals with strong personalities, a good sense of humour and confident leaders. As Dr Seuss said “kid, you’ll move mountains” and more important than your academic achievement is the fact that you are all good people, something to be proud of, I know you will conquer your individual mountain, whatever that is for you.
I’m the most fortunate principal in NSW, where I’m given the honour of leading a school with dedicated, energetic, committed and diligent students, not to mention our amazingly skilled and brilliant HSC teachers who’ve set you up for a rich and rewarding life. Year 12, you’ve made a positive impact on our school and you leave with our best wishes. I’ll have fond memories of you and we’ll enjoy watching your next chapter unfold. Dr Seuss said, “Out there things can happen, and frequently do, to people as brainy and footsy as you. When things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew. Just go right along, you'll start happening too!”. On behalf of our wonderful school community, best wishes for the future and congratulations on achieving this important milestone.
Mark Sutton, Principal