Principal's Address

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we conclude Term 3, we do so with the milestone events of Year 12 graduation ceremonies fresh in our minds.

As the sun rose high over Chevalier College yesterday on the morning of the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony, we gathered as a community to honour a unique and wonderful group of young people, the Class of 2025. Thirteen years of learning, growth and shared experience culminated in a ceremony rich with pride, gratitude, and reflection.

This year’s theme, chosen by the Year 12 students themselves, “Share your part of the Sacred Heart”, captured the essence of what it means to be part of Chevalier. It called each member of our community to live with love, kindness, compassion and generosity. And our Year 12s did just that. Not only through their achievements in sport, the creative arts and academic excellence, but through the way they carried themselves, with integrity, humility and heart.

Their legacy is obvious. Most notably, they led the renewal of our House System, collaborating with staff and leaders to design new shields and narratives that reflect the phrase: “Six Houses within the one home we call Chev.” The actions and commitment to enhancing the presence of our Houses has strengthened the sense of belonging and unity across our 2025 student cohort, and will continue to shape the College for years to come.

We also took time to honour the outstanding leadership of our College Captains, Lucinda and Josh, and Vice Captains Eden and Alex. Each brought their unique gifts to their roles, enriching the College through their presence, leadership and contribution. Their example inspired others and helped foster a culture of respect, collaboration and joy.

Throughout the year, the Year 12 cohort worked closely with their teachers to enhance Chevalier as a place of belonging. Their maturity and willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue made a lasting impact on our staff and younger students alike.

Later that evening, at the Valedictory Dinner, we reflected on the spirit of this cohort through the lens of Ubuntu — an African philosophy that reminds us... “I am because we are.”

Ubuntu teaches that our humanity is realised through our relationships with others. It calls us to live with mutual concern, generosity and responsibility for the wellbeing of the whole. The Class of 2025 embodied this beautifully. They lifted each other up, supported their peers, and understood that success is richer when shared.

We also paid tribute to the parents and carers, the primary educators of our students, who have walked this journey with their children. They have nurtured, guided and supported their children through a world that is often complex, ambiguous and demanding. They have ridden the waves of emotion alongside their children, our students. They have enjoyed the highs of achievement, managed the lows of disappointment, and remained steadfast in the quiet moments in between. It is the unique blend of patience, resilience and love shown by parents and carers that creates the scaffold supporting their child as they arrive at the end of their formal schooling.

We concluded our formalities for the day and evening by offering Year 12, 2025 this well-known Irish Blessing.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

 May the sun shine warm upon your face;

 And the rains fall soft upon your fields

 And until we meet again 

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Greg Miller

Principal