Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony

Last Friday, 19 September, we gathered as a Catholic Community for our Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony. This is the first event in a series of celebrations for our Year 12 class of 2025.

We welcomed Reverend Fathers Neil Hernandez and Paddy Sykes who concelebrated our Graduation Mass. We thank them for leading us in such a special Mass for our young people.

We reflected in prayer for the needs of these young people, and the needs of our world…

We pray for those who lead The Church. Fill Pope Leo, Bishop Mark, Father Neil, and Father Paddy with the grace and strength they need to be credible and life giving witnesses to the Gospel.

We pray for this Graduating Class of Kildare Catholic College. Give us the grace and fortitude to be guided by our College Motto: ‘Live the Truth’. We pray that we will always be people of faith, ready to act for justice in our world, as stewards of your creation.

We give thanks for our Parents, Carers and our families, who have shared in our journey so far. Help us to show our gratitude and appreciation for their unconditional love and support.

We pray for the staff of Kildare Catholic College, who have guided us throughout the years. May they know how much their dedication is appreciated and continue to always find spiritual fulfilment in their lives.

We pray for those who have died. We remember especially at this time the members of the Presentation Sisters and Christian Brothers who laboured in our school communities and have passed away.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students who, so capably shared God’s revelation with us. We would also like to thank Mr Ondre Nejman, Leader of Faith Formation and Mission, for his preparations for Mass, along with Ms Melanie Hale and the Choir for leading us in the beautiful hymns. We are most grateful for your support.

Year 12 2025 Awards Ceremony

Following the Graduation Mass, we rolled into our Year 12 Awards Ceremony. In acknowledging the achievements of our Year 12 students, we recognised their hard work, collaboration and team work, and determination towards achieving personal excellence. Many of these students commenced at Kildare in Year 7, and this ceremony reflected upon their incredible journey. We congratulate all the Year 12 students who earned an award. We are extremely proud of their academic efforts, community service, vocational education and leadership contributions during the time they have been at Kildare. The Major Awards will be presented at the Graduation Dinner, and will feature in the Newsletter in early Term 4.

The Sports Award Presentations:

Recognise students who have excelled at, or made an outstanding contribution to their school sporting teams.

Josh Allen	Australian Rules Football

Ollie Hall	Rugby League

Holly Williams	Rugby League Touch Football

Emily McPherson	Netball Basketball

Grace Holaj	Soccer

Riley Bradshaw	Cricket

Brianna Elphick	Hockey

Tyler Barclay	Hockey

Addison Pope	Swimming

The Sporting ‘Blues’ Award Presentations: are awarded for achieving the highest level of State Representation in their chosen sport in 2025.

Holly Williams - Rugby League

Holly Williams - Touch

The Sporting ‘Blue Bar’ Award Presentations: are awarded for achieving the highest level of State Representation in their chosen sport for the second and/or the third year.

Emily McPherson - Netball

Addison Pope - Swimming

Harrison Conroy - Lawn Bowls

Year 12 2025 Academic Award Presentations: The First in Course Award is given for the highest School Based Assessment Mark in the course of study throughout the HSC year. An Academic Merit Award is awarded to students who are placed highly, and demonstrate strong commitment to their learning, where multiple classes exist.

Student Name	Award	Subject Name
Joshua Allen	First in Course	Business Studies
	First in Course	English Standard
	Merit	Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
	Merit	Mathematics Standard

Molly Breen	First in Course	Studies in Catholic Thought

Alice Britton	First in Course	English Extension
Alice Britton	First in Course	Visual Arts

Lachlan Bruce	Merit	English Standard

Artie Crozier	First in Course	Mathematics Advanced
	First in Course	Modern History
	First in Course	Physics
	Merit	Studies of Religion 1

Gerard Curtis	First in Course	Chemistry
	First in Course	Mathematics Extension 1
	First in Course	Mathematics Extension 2

Mackenzie Downing	First in Course	English Studies

Oliver Drummond	First in Course	Legal Studies

Layla Ellis	First in Course	English Advanced
	First in Course	Society & Culture
	Merit	Studies of Religion 2

Isabelle Fortescue	Merit	English Standard

Madeleine Gaiter	First in Course	Biology
	First in Course	Geography
	First in Course	Mathematics Standard
	First in Course	Studies of Religion 2

Chloe Gallagher	First in Course	Design & Technology

Isabel Garimbao	First in Course	Economics

Charlotte Garrod	First in Course	Drama
	First in Course	Music
	Merit	English Standard

Isaac Gooden	First in Course	Industrial Technology (Timber)

Andre Green	First in Course	Mathematics Standard 1

Hunter Higgins	First in Course	Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies 2 Unit

Emily McPherson	First in Course	Community and Family Studies
	First in Course	Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
	First in Course	Studies of Religion 1
	Merit	Modern History

Calvin Poole	First in Course	Ancient History

Anastasi Papaioanou	First in Course	Work Studies

Arliya Porter	First in Course	Aboriginal Studies

Missy Ryan	Merit	Biology
	Merit	Business Studies
	Merit	Mathematics Standard
	Merit	Studies of Religion 2

Hunter Stiles	Merit	Mathematics Advanced

Sophie Warren	First in Course	Investigating Science

Rainer White	Merit	Mathematics Standard 1

The Vocational Education and Training Award Presentations:

Recognise outstanding student achievement in a course of study leading to a nationally recognised qualification, demonstrating the relevance of lifelong learning.

Early Childhood Education
Outstanding Industry Achiever and Vocational Student of the Year 2025	Molly McDonnell

Information and Digital Technology
Outstanding Industry Achiever 2025	Rhys Beer
Vocational Student of the Year 2025	Daniel Stiles

Hospitality
Outstanding Industry Achiever/s 2025	Samuel Livio
Vocational Student of the Year 2025	Frazer Lugton

Construction
Outstanding Industry Achiever 2025	Jett Gustowski
Vocational Student of the Year 2025	Ned Jones

Business Services
Outstanding Industry Achiever 2025	Olivia Cecchini (Year 11)
Vocational Student of the Year 2025	Tayah Wade (Year 11)

The Leadership and House Award Presentations:

Recognise leadership, community service and contribution to the Kildare College Community throughout the year. These student leaders have made a commitment to espousing the Christian values of servant leadership.

The College Captains Awards

Charlotte Garrod

Frazer Lugton

Mount Erin Boarding Captains Awards

Neve Smith

Dustin Hood

The House Captains Awards
Benedicta House Captain	Ellie James
Gandhi House Captain	Mackenzie (Macca) Edwards
King House Captain	Lydia Jones
Oodgeroo House Captain	Holly Williams
Romero House Captain	Isabelle Fortescue
Teresa House Captain	Lachlan Bruce

The SRC Portfolio Leadership Awards
Faith Leader	Madeleine Gaiter
Care Leader	Ida Kurian
Learning Leader	Tyler Barclay
Justice Leader	Samuel Livio

Benedicta House Awards

Ellie James

Lily Heffernan

Gandhi House Awards

Mackenzie Edwards

Charlotte Garrod

Edwin Tomy

King House Awards

Isabel Dacey

Lydia Jones

Pieper Hugler

Oodgeroo House Awards

Neve Smith

Mason Maclean

Grace Holaj

Romero House Awards

Brianna Elphick

Dustin Hood

Layla Ellis

Teresa House Awards

Annabel Jackson

Noreena Tharayil

Mackenzie Downing

The CEDWW Teacher Education Scholarship Presentations: are awarded by the Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga each year to five Year 12 students across the Diocese. The recipients are excellent students who demonstrate dedication to their learning and are committed to the values of Catholic Education. On completion of their HSC, these students seek to enrol in an undergraduate teacher education pathway so they can become qualified Primary and/or Secondary school teachers.

Valued at $20,000, the scholarship supports students to study and guarantees them a permanent full-time teaching position at a school within the Wagga Wagga Diocese at the conclusion of their degree. In 2025, two students from Kildare Catholic College were successful in their application for this prestigious award. Congratulations to Gabriella Mannell and Frazer Lugton.

Year 12 Colour Run

What a fantastic finale for our Year 12 students! To celebrate their last day of school, the students came together in spectacular style for a vibrant and energetic colour run on the oval. As they sprinted, walked, and danced, clouds of colour filled the air, marking the end of their journey with joy, laughter, and a beautiful mess of memories. It was a truly unforgettable day that perfectly captured the spirit and camaraderie of the Class of 2025.

Amelia Bright | Assistant Principal

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