Kids Corner
In the final Kid’s Corner for the 2025 school year, I would like to share the speeches from the Year 6 Graduation.
- School Captain’s - thank you, Eliana and Shiv, for being outstanding captains and I trust everyone enjoys their speeches as much as the people who attended the evening did and
- Every year the Year 6’s conduct a competition for one of the children to have the opportunity to present a speech. This year, Kai’s speech was selected and this is also featured. Well done and congratulations Kai as your speech was amazing too!
School Captaincy Speeches:
Eliana:
Year six graduation. Finally or unfortunately the time has arrived. Where has the time all gone? It felt like yesterday being our first day at school marching in with hope and excitement. Little did we know that these seven years of primary school will be very important in shaping who we are today.
Good evening everyone- teachers, parents, families and of course my fellow year 6 graduates. As most of you know my name is Eliana Rajan and I take this opportunity as a privilege to be standing in front of all of you as the 2025 school captain to celebrate and share our journey of 7 years in primary school.
Imagine each of you has your own balloon. We all start the same from the very beginning. Our balloon is shrivelled and flat, having the potential to be blown exactly like the balloons around you.
Whether you started here in GWPS or in a different school we all remember that iconic first day of prep. Some of us couldn’t stop crying, clinging on to our parents not letting them go. We listen and we don’t judge. Others were the enthusiastic entries with their backpacks probably double the size of their tiny bodies. Which one were you? Parents, I’m sure you remember too well.
When we began Prep our balloons were just beginning to fill. Every sound we learned to make, every word we learned to read, every number we counted with our fingers; that was a breath of air filling our balloon with knowledge and confidence. Standing here reminds me of this special time of prep, I’m sure most of you can remember our prep prom, the celebration of finishing your first year of school. And there I was 6 years ago speaking on behalf of my class, representing the school values in front of a large audience just like this (point to crowd). Here, I began to grow a passion for public speaking. Prep was our firm foundation. Our teachers gently made our balloons bigger and stronger. And we always knew they were there for us, like the strings to our balloons keeping us safe holding all of us together.
But not every breeze was easy to handle. I’m about to reintroduce you to the one and only year that made history in the whole world. 2020! Yes, that means learning from home as year 1’s Look, there were pros and cons. Let’s save the good for last. For class meetings I would be yelled at, yeeted out of bed and sitting in front of the camera smiling, pretending nothing just happened behind the scenes. It felt like our strings were let go loose and we floated around in different directions. And of course, while social distancing. Slowly, we started to leave our colourful bunch of balloons. However LFH made me understand that in any situation we would learn how to adapt and be flexible. But even through all that we did not deflate, we stayed strong. We learned that even when the world feels upside down, we can still rise.
Year 2,3 and 4, a new journey our balloons took us through, to understand and learn the smallest things that would soon become the most valuable lessons of our lives. Slowly we were maturing and becoming the people we are today. I still won’t forget the loud bus rides. Teachers you deserve an award for surviving through the loud yapping. Getting the same teacher twice in a row was a huge surprise. I remember our class screaming when we finally opened our letters. When year 4 hit we were finally seniors. We would hope we got our pen license so we could finally write with a pen. And yes can't forget our very first birthday parties that were hosted for our teachers. See, we are responsible young adults.
And our unforgettable memories of year 5. Fulfilled with the best group projects and transfers, our first interrelate sessions, and to celebrate, surprise birthdays and parties. This was fun but we earned it because of the effort in captaincy roles. From applications to the interviews and the speech that defined a decision.
Year six. I remember the first few weeks of getting used to wearing our new school uniforms. And then going on excursions like Lume. And for the sporty competitions, we had our last cross country, athletics day, district and division sports, and inter school sports. We also got to have our last year's production. And to top it off, Camp Adanac. The most energetic activities and cabins with late night chatter.
Being a school captain this year has been such a blessing. But we had our responsibilities too. We led school tours on Tuesday mornings, attended leadership days and CIS reviews, wrote newsletter items, and represented our school at events. And the most obvious one, hearing our voices every week at assembly.
Gradually becoming independent we found our passions and interests. Personally, throughout my 7 years in GWPS, I’ve been able to find my talent of public speaking. One of the most special things about this school I’ve realised is the encouragement, support and opportunities we’ve received to grow. A shoutout goes to ‘in my opinion’, an after school public speaking program that definitely has boosted mine and many others’ confidence. And overall I am so thankful for all staff and peers who helped make this possible. I dreamed, I believed and I achieved.
Speaking of gratitude, I want to take this time to say thank you to everyone in this room including yourself. To our teachers, thank you for every breath of patience, encouragement, and belief. To our families, thank you for being our maps, guiding and guarding us in the right direction. You cheered us on even when the string slipped a little. And to my friends and classmates, some I’ve known since prep and some who joined along the journey, thank you for being the most colourful, funniest, and maybe slightly chaotic bunch of balloons anyone could ask for. And principals, surely we can’t forget your contribution to our education. You made our primary school experience the best it could possibly be.
And now, visualise your balloons. I hope you see a balloon that is filled with lots of happy memories and a life long journey of learning. Parents and teachers look at the balloons you’ve raised, you should all be very proud of yourself.
Its exciting, but also a little scary. We may float in different directions, but we will always share the same sky. The one that started right here.
Thank you everyone and best wishes as you continue to blow into your balloon as secondary school and beyond.
Shiv:
Imagine a ship you made, finally being set sail after seven years of determination, toil and happiness. You would be filled with pride but at the same time, deep down, you would have a sense of sorrow. The scheduled day of departure would get closer and closer until the long awaited day would arrive too soon. Good Evening Mr. Catalano, students, parents and teachers. My name is Shiv Patel, the 2025 School Captain.
First and foremost saying thank you is something that is not anywhere near enough as we have been shown so much support, care and respect, not just by one single person but by the whole of Grade 6, all the teachers, my whole family, and of course Mr. Catalano. You have shaped me and changed me for the person I have now become and stand upon you today. I highly appreciate each and everyone of you and you will always be remembered. Now it is time to go on an adventure through primary school.
When the day of departure arrived, so did countless troubles of getting uniform or not being able to get a permit to start progress on the ship. Prep was a year of massive growth, from the first day of school, learning how to count or understanding the ABC’s. At first school seemed scary but as days went by, the waves calmed down. Building relationships got easier and separating from my parents daily became possible.
Prep was where I needed the most support, I couldn’t tie my shoelaces, I barely knew what school was and I only had a couple of friends by my side. At least I had the best family in the world, thank you so much for your unwavering commitment and dedication to help me. Prep was made so much easier because of you.
My enthusiasm was clear to everyone, including my parents, it was like a trait which explained my whole personality! All of this was enough for me to be friends with everyone I came across since a very young age.
Year one was a year that went against everything. COVID:19 - A fatal virus that was spreading at the speed of light. At first, it felt amazing not waking up early, not going to school and especially no homework, that would look perfect on paper, but the negatives changed the script. The lockdown forced us to not leave our own house or not be able to catch up with my friends AT ALL. After a couple of weeks I found out that the negative side of the scale had way more weight than the positives.
Going through the outbreak told me so much about being resilient and dealing with unexpected things and unexpected situations. This was put into action when I got it back to back. COVID:19 taught me so much indirectly, though it was a tragic and traumatic experience, it was something I needed to improve on myself. It also really made me realise how lucky I was to be able to keep myself safe.
Grade 4, a year of change, big change. The last thing you would want after coming back to school after lockdown would be to be separated from your friends again. " Change Schools” is what happened. At first I was very flat because I didn’t want to change schools. “Well everything happens for a reason right?” Was what went through my head all the time. This got put to the ultimate test. Glen Waverley Primary School is where I was headed next, I didn’t have any high expectations, but I wanted it to at least be better then Hallam Primary School (The school where I spent my time from Prep to the end of Year 3.)
From the first moment at GWPS, I knew this school was different. Mr. Catalano made me feel as if it were my school, the students were so nice, almost too nice and the teachers, they were on another level, I would like to give a huge shout out to Mr. Sciessere, he guided me through my first year at this school, almost caring about my learning more than I did myself. Thank you so much for showing me the utmost care and respect. Changing schools was way easier than expected. Days, weeks, months flew by and what felt like a week was actually two years of a solid end to the main construction of the ship, all that was left were the decorations and the departure date. With Year 6 being right around the corner, it was set to be one I would never forget.
“Last year in primary school, make it your best” were the voices which echoed throughout my year. Year 6 was no easy year, it was one filled with responsibility. Being School Captain I had to be the best version of myself at all times, as tons of people looked up to me as a role model. This has definitely been the best year of my life so far. I got into a class with all my closest friends. In a class with an amazing teacher, and I got to spend time doing the things I love most. I was given such an immense opportunity, and I took it with both hands. As the year is coming to an end, so are some of my relationships. I’m going to miss everyone I have met through my journey
As School Captain I have done so many things, hosting assemblies, running school tours and of course always trying to be the best version of myself every single day. I have savoured every single moment of this journey and I am so grateful for getting this opportunity. Thank you so much for all the support, you have guided me through everything.
Now it’s time to start looking at next year 2026, the start of our high schooling journey, it promises to be one that will never be forgotten. New Uniform, new laptop, new stationary and all of the other paraphernalia, all of the materials we need to start designing our very own Ship No.2. The time has now finally arrived. The ship, NO, YOUR SHIP is now setting sail, so let’s go to the final chapter of this story.
As we slowly set off on a new journey to high school with all the knowledge we have gained, saying goodbye is impossible, but it’s something that is necessary so make it become, I’m possible and make high school your pride and joy. Now it is time to thank the crew and the people willing enough to give us their time to let us learn, the hulls of the ship or the equipment we used to help us. I would also like to thank my parents, my sister for guiding me throughout my whole life so far in the twelve years I have been alive. The person you have to thank the most though is you, YOURSELF. Without you nothing would have happened, and you are the reason all of this became possible. Now, let the ship set sail.
Thank you
Year 6 Graduation Speech: by Kai
“It's funny, don't you think how time seems to do a lot of things. It flies, it tells, but worst of all it runs out.” Good evening, Mr. Catalano, teachers, parents, guests and my fellow peers, my name is Kai from 6A and the quote I just mentioned comes from my favourite book, Fighting Ruben Wolfe. As our primary school chapter comes to an end, we must cherish its fleeting moments. Throughout our story, we’ve faced, global pandemics, and many more near deadly occurrences like gang up tag and trying to defend the best striker or point guard [praying hands]. So give yourselves a pat on the back.[pat your back] To truly understand our story we need to go to the start- before learning to read and write, before iPads. We need to go to the first page of our story.
*sighs* I remember it like it was seven years ago, walking up to the front gates looking up at a 90° angle to see the top and then shifting my gaze to my mother. “Please don't do this to me mommy”. I said not knowing it would be some of the best years of my life. So I took a deep breath, let go of my mum’s hand and stepped into the beginning of my school journey.
Prep. What, a, year! For some of us it was easy to transition into the new environment and for the rest of us it felt like diving into the learning pit all of us trying to find where we belong. The learning drop, the productive struggle then, eureka! I finally found my people. Then the days consisted of learning our ABCs, playing with monster trucks at recess and lunch, prep prom practice, and drawing shapes. Little did we know how much we had absorbed and taken in throughout the year, learning through every interaction. But like all good things this chapter had to come to an end.
Then years 1 & 2 hit, like a semi-truck filled with gasoline because of one thing and one thing only, COVID-19. Labelled as two of the deadliest years in human history. According to Google that is. For us it meant we were separated from the ones that we loved and our teachers who now had to learn the new ways of teaching. Still managing to teach us about times tables, money and time, all through a screen! Finally with the help of vaccines and the rat tests Covid was banished from our lands. This meant we could see each other again face to face. Our parents were now relieved of helping us join the Microsoft Teams meetings. It was a time where we began learning how to dream and to know what we wanted to be when we got older like an astronaut or a bed tester… so I can sleep all-day!
Then came the middle years with the beginning pages of school camps. I remember my sister bragging to me about how she got to have a school sleepover and eat pizza the size of her face [palm gesture] well I bet she didn't get to climb a rope course, looking down and thinking I'm so far off the ground, if I fall off, I'll surely die. Even though you're only two meters off the ground. In year 4 we finally got to go to a real camp. I remember one night I woke up at 12 o'clock because of three knocks on my door. I go to my door and open it. Then I looked to my left then, my right HMM no one there. It could've just been the wind, right? I get back in bed ready to go to sleep and then I hear it again. Surely it was something this time, right? I get up, go to my door, open it, look to my left, look to my right, nothing. I get back in bed already to go to sleep. This happened again and again and again. We'd been dingdong ditched multiple times a day, and night! But all jokes aside it was at this age we were learning how to believe, to believe that we could be whoever we want to be.
After that was grade 5. The thing that I noticed about last year was that my friends started to change. All of a sudden, we were all more mature and adaptable. Well, we would like to think so …… parents and teachers do you agree?
Anyway, I think we all began to mature and really enjoyed our time together especially when we started to prepare for this year. For example, inter school sport practices were a real highlight.
Finally here we have grade 6, the leaders of our school. With the best camp yet, filled with flying foxes, canoeing and more dingdong ditchers! We had a production, a science works excursion, the Stand-up project where we experienced teaching our younger peers about bullying and how to be an upstander.
One program that I really enjoyed was aviation, because we learnt about how planes actually work by creating them ourselves and having so much fun whilst doing it. Wow, this is something that I thought I would never get to do in primary school. Oh by the way, just in case you are interested, my plane did a backflip and then landed on its back and shattered into a million pieces. Hmm, maybe I should stay back and do aviation again next year, mum and dad, would that be ok?
These are some of the best memories we have made through the past seven years of the story we’ve written. From squares to squares. It may not be perfect but it’s shaped who we are today. I would like to thank our parents for supporting us through our story, each one of you working tirelessly to help us succeed, Mr. Catalano for his guidance throughout the years, the teachers for helping us write our story with their support and unwavering encouragement. And finally thank you to my fellow peers. Thank you, thank you for the jokes, the friendships and the everlasting memories that we will cherish forever. As my speech comes to an end, I would like to say one final thing- “yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present.” So let's cherish today and make tonight unforgettable.
