Editorial

One of the privileges of the VCE Coordinator role is working alongside students and families in the final ‘pointy end’ of schooling, where students begin to transition from adolescence into young adulthood. It is a special time with many conversations around future dreams and aspirations, hopes for what the years following school will hold, as well as a time to review the years of schooling gone by. The big events of the last few months, from Year 12 Celebration Day, to the VCE exams, through to Graduation, all mark beautiful, yet bittersweet moments of achievement, closure, reflection, joy and grief. Such transitional moments in life are definitive points where one-chapter closes, and another begins. For students, parents and teachers, there is a wide mix of experiences and emotions through these times. As our students take this step into adulthood it leads me to ponder what perspectives, ideals, behaviours and priorities have been formed, experimented with, established and honed through their time here at MECS. I wonder what this will look like in their future adult journeys in work, travel, relationships, church, family, university etc.  

At the Year 12 Graduation, Michelle Dempsey’s address reflected on the Threads of learning and formation at MECS, challenging the Year 12 students to carry these with them, that they might “inform the choices you make, the relationships you build, and the challenges you face”. 

I think the reframed MECS threads paint a beautiful picture of our deeply held hopes for the students walking beyond the walls of our school into life beyond.  

May they be Faith Discerners, who continue to grapple with what it really means to know and follow God, especially how this looks in the midst of the various conflicting stories they will be surrounded by.

May they be lifelong Purposeful Learners, honouring God by making wise use of their resources, talents and abilities to serve others.

May they be Justice Seekers, confronting the injustices they will undoubtedly face in the world with a merciful heart and steadfast desire to do right in their spheres of influence.  

May they be Welcoming Advocates, ready to extend genuine hospitality by embracing the stranger, the different, the difficult and the excluded in love. 

May they be Awe Dwellers, deeply aware and appreciative of the amazing wonder of our God’s incredible creation. 

May they be Community Builders, forging strong relationships and humbly promoting environments of encouragement and empowerment. 

And finally, may they be Creation Keepers, who delight in, protect and preserve the world in which we live. 

This looks like a long list of hopes for our graduating students, but really at its heart it is a simple one. May their life’s journey be one in step with their Creator, growing each day into the person God made them to be. 

For teachers and school leaders, and to a degree parents also, we reach this moment and realise that our time of shaping and forming these young adults has largely come to an end. It is a time of letting go, sending out, and trusting that we have faithfully served our role as best we were able. We rest in the knowledge that a powerful, loving God goes with them also, walking alongside and guiding them through every step of the journey ahead.

Emma Tresidder

VCE Coordinator