Farewell Year 12s
Year 12 Dress Up Week
Every year in Week 3 of Term 4, we say goodbye to our Year 12 students. As classes begin to wrap up, the Year 12s bid farewell to their High School years in style. To celebrate this milestone, the Year 12 Year Level Captains, Bianca Mizzi, Chloe Roldan, Kate Elliott, Kesiah Rawlings and Poppy Coppens, organised a week filled with fun, themed dress-up days.
Monday: Anything But a Bag Day
Kicking off the week, students showcased their creativity by bringing anything but a standard school bag. From cooking pots to mini scooters and even inflatable canoes, the possibilities were endless. It was a hilarious sight to see students navigating the school with their unconventional “bags”.
Tuesday: Crazy Hair Day
Tuesday was all about wild hairstyles! Students went all out, sporting colourful wigs and all sorts of wild hairstyles. Massive shout out goes to Aaron Haines who had spike his hair to resemble a dinosaur.
Wednesday: Old Person Day
On Wednesday, the students took a playful trip into the future by dressing up as their elderly selves. With grey wigs, spectacles, and walking sticks, many embraced the theme wholeheartedly. The sight of classmates shuffling around in oversized sweaters and floppy hats brought joy and laughter, proving that a sense of humour is timeless.
Thursday: Childhood Dreams Day
To wrap up the week, Thursday’s theme was a nostalgic nod to what students wanted to be when they were little. From firefighters and superheroes to veterinarians and nurses, the variety of costumes was heartwarming. It was a day filled with reminiscing about childhood dreams and aspirations, highlighting the journey each student has taken over the years.
Year 12’s Dress Up Week was a great way for our graduating students to celebrate their journey, reflect on their growth, and prepare for the exciting adventures that lie ahead.
Year 12 Celebration Day
On Friday 25 October 2024, Wantirna College came to together to celebrate the annual Year 12 Celebration Day. This special event is dedicated to recognising the hard work, achievements and memories of our graduating class as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. The day kicked off with a catered breakfast where students came together to sign each other’s uniforms and reminisce with all the staff and teachers who have taught them throughout their years.
Breakfast was followed by a drone shot and activities in the Pathways Hubs. Year 12 students were able to play board games, like Twister, as well as Nintendo Switch games. A highlight was the dance party DJ-ed by Jericho Gojar and Jai Brebner where students were able to just have fun and celebrate their last day together as the Class of 2024 before moving to on to further endeavours like exams and apprenticeships.
Next was our last Year 12 assembly which featured reflections from our Year Level Captains on what has been an eventful year. Mr Luke Mason and Mr Biggs were special guest speakers as the cohort's Year Level Leaders in 2023. The assembly was also an opportunity for Year 12s to acknowledge their hard work throughout the year and thank their Year 12 teachers. A highlight was the video montage made by Miss Zhang and the Senior School Team that documented the students’ journey from Year 7 to Year 12. Another high point was Logan Papenfuss shaving his hair to raise funds for the Peter Mac Foundation that specialises in Cancer Research and care for patients for Cancer - there's still time to donate, see his page in this Newsletter.
The day concluded with our formal Farewell Assembly where we gathered to celebrate the Year 12s. Parents/carers of Year 12s were invited to attend following a short Morning Tea, and all our Year 9 - 11 students and staff also attended. This assembly was will provide a platform for students to share their experiences, memories, and aspirations as they transition to the next phase of their lives.
To our graduating class of 2024. You did it! It has been a long 13 years of schooling but you have successfully navigated all obstacles thrown your way; from COVID impacting your first two years of high school to the stresses of Year 12. You made it to the other side with your head held high. Whether you are sitting VCE Exams or starting Apprenticeships over the next few weeks, your Wantirna College family wish you the best of luck and we hope that you achieve all that you have set out to. We cannot wait to hear all about it at Valedictory.
Della Zhang and Abbey McMahon
Year 12 Year Level Leaders