From the Leadership Team

Matt Brinson, Head of Senior School 

The Journey from ELC to Year 12 

This week saw the Valedictory celebrations for the Year 12 Class of 2024. This time of year serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of the shared journey that begins in the ELC and Junior School, continuing through to Senior School. This milestone not only marks the end of their formal schooling but also celebrates the friendships, values and experiences that have shaped them along the way.

Many of our Year 12s began their time with us years ago. Six members of this year’s graduating class started in our ELC, with another six joining in the early primary years.

For many, the familiar classrooms of Junior School were where they first learned the foundations of teamwork, problem-solving and resilience. The transition from those early years — where tying shoelaces or sharing lunch was a significant challenge — to navigating the complex world of adolescence has been a journey we’ve had the privilege to witness, guide and celebrate this week.

Each step, from childhood curiosity to teenage independence, has contributed to the well-rounded individuals we now send off into their next chapter.

This shared journey through Junior and Senior School is far more than an academic pathway. It is a continuous thread of growth, connection and learning, where students not only develop intellectually but also emotionally and socially through the many programs and activities they engage with. The friendships formed in Junior School often become the bedrock of support throughout Senior School, helping students navigate the ups and downs of growing up.

WORKING AS A TEAM

The teachers who guided our students in their early years played a crucial role in building their confidence. The skills they honed, such as persistence and self-discipline, are now invaluable as they prepare for their final exams.

The transition from primary to secondary school can be daunting, but it’s a journey we undertake together. As students move into Senior School, they face new challenges, from increased academic expectations to evolving social dynamics. Yet, it’s the continuity between these stages that equips them with the tools they need to thrive. Those early lessons in teamwork, emotional management, and embracing challenges are the very same qualities that will support them through Year 12 and beyond.

THE BIG PICTURE 

As the Class of 2024 prepare for their VCE exams, it is clear that the shared journey matters more than any single result. The end of school is not just about ATAR scores, it’s about the people they’ve become and the memories they’ve created. The joy of teamwork on sports fields, the thrill of school camps, the experience of working through setbacks, and the relationships with teachers, mentors and peers all contribute to their success.

For parents with children still in the earlier years of their school journey, the Year 12 milestone serves as a reminder to appreciate each phase along the way. The small, everyday moments — reading together, attending school events, practising times tables, or navigating playground friendships — are all laying the foundation for future achievements.

YOU'VE GOT THIS 

To our Year 12 students, we congratulate you on how far you have come and wish you the best of luck in your upcoming exams. Trust in the journey you’ve taken; everything you’ve learned, every challenge you’ve faced, and every friendship you’ve nurtured has prepared you for this moment. You are ready.

To every family in our school community, thank you for walking this path with us. It is a shared journey that doesn’t end at graduation but continues in the lifelong friendships and values we all carry forward. No matter where the future takes you, you will always be part of this community.

Good luck to our Year 12s! We are proud of you and excited to see where your journey takes you next.

Find more details on the Year 12 Celebrations page in this issue of ITK.