Acting College Principal

The Class of 2024

I had the pleasure of graduating the class of 2024 on Sunday 20th October at the Robert Blackwood Hall – Monash University.  It was a brilliant evening, and my thanks goes out to Cody Gunn and his team at Holloway Rd. for piecing it all together.

The class of 2024 arrived at Sandy College around the same day that I did, some 6 years ago.  I have had the pleasure of teaching many of them along the journey. They are a fine group and will always be welcome here, as a part of our alumni.  They will always belong.

So how do you sum up a cohort like this? The trouble with writing a piece designed to highlight the achievements of the cohort, is always that you simply can’t mention every name, every amazing individual in the space that you are given. If I had the time and the poetic licence, I could barely hope to summarise and synthesis the journey for the 130 strong class of 2024. Each journey is so unique and so special, that a glib reference to a lifetime of learning would be a poor choice. 

Despite this, I have decided to write this letter to just the one of you – you know who you are…

Dear Legend,

Firstly, well done!  We both know that it hasn’t always been easy. I think we would agree that it has been more good than not. On some of the not so good days, I am not sure you knew, but I made sure that we were watching to see that you were doing okay. You have some good people around you. Even on the darker days, your friends could make you smile, if only a little. Hang on to some of them as you move on, the best of them will stand by you forever.

I know you don’t talk about it much, but I can see your understanding of our school values has deepened and matured. You’ve learned that respect isn’t just about how we treat others but also about valuing yourself – you are only just starting to realise what a super star you are. Integrity has guided your choices, ensuring that you stood firm in your beliefs but still left room for you to consider the thoughts and opinions of others. Your contributions to our community, especially the tiny day to day ones, reflected a genuine commitment to uplifting those around you. The pursuit of your own excellence has pushed you to thrive rather than just survive (okay – you did a bit of both), while your creativity has allowed you to express your unique perspective in a world that often craves conformity.

It’s no secret that there were times when it all felt overwhelming. You faced moments where the pressure seemed insurmountable, yet you persevered. Each challenge you encountered became a stepping stone, and through it all, you’ve shown the strength to keep moving forward.

You have always been a big dreamer! It's time to go out and chase a few of those dreams, embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. 

You are ready.

Yours with gratitude,

David