A Time of Celebration and Reflection

"Today is a day of celebration—a culmination of years of hard work, determination, and growth." 

These were the words I used to open my graduation speech on Sunday night, October 20th, at Robert Blackwood Hall. It was a truly memorable evening, with over 600 people gathering to honour our graduating class's remarkable achievements. A heartfelt thank you to Alan Rae from the Rotary Club, Amy Porter, our Principal on leave, and Zoe Daniel, our Federal member for Goldstein, for attending this year’s graduation, sharing their wisdom, and presenting to our students and families. I would also like to extend my deepest thanks to the incredible team at Sandringham College for their tireless work in organising such a significant event.

While the celebration was well-deserved, it also marked a moment of reflection. Although we paused to appreciate how far our Year 12 students have come, the journey isn't quite over. The hard work must continue for just a little longer. Our students are now in the thick of their examination period, with the English students having just completed their marathon 3-hour exam—a rite of passage I remember all too well. The sense of relief when it’s over immense, but there are still a few important weeks ahead.

In these final weeks, I encourage all of our students to keep pushing forward. This is the time to seek out your teachers for support, lean on the strength you've built over the years, and finish strong.

On a separate note, I want to commend our Year 12 cohort for their outstanding behaviour during our recent Celebration Day. The students fully embraced the spirit of the day, sharing in the tradition of signing each other’s shirts and enjoying an afternoon filled with music, inflatables, and delicious food. It was a true testament to their maturity and bond as they came together to mark this important milestone.

Please enjoy the group photo we captured, in which most of the cohort sat together—a moment that beautifully symbolizes their shared journey and the friendships formed over the years.

This time brings a sense of motivation for our current Year 10 and 11 students—there’s not long to go!

With exams for Years 7 to 11 starting in just a few short weeks, and our Headstart program beginning on November 25th, it’s amazing to reflect on how quickly this year has passed.

Headstart marks an exciting new chapter in Sandringham College’s history, especially for Holloway Road, as our Year 9 students embark on the next phase of their education at the campus