Senior School Update

As we come to the end of the School year, we take the opportunity to reflect on another year in the Senior School filled with growth, teamwork and learning programs driven by student voice and involvement, creating experiences that are engaging, meaningful and inclusive.

One of the most significant milestones in a student’s journey through The Friends’ School is reaching the end of Year 12 and graduating from the TCE, IB Diploma Programme or VET courses. Alongside the academic culmination of a student’s School career come a number of celebratory experiences that acknowledge the personal growth and development shaped by a Quaker education. These experiences provide a platform for students to step confidently into the next chapter of young adulthood beyond the classroom.

Year 12 rites of passage at Friends’ are thoughtfully designed celebrations that go far beyond social tradition. Grounded in Quaker educational principles and a strong understanding of adolescent development, they support students as they transition from School into adulthood. These events provide structured opportunities for reflection, helping students recognise their own integrity and ‘Inner Light’, and encouraging them to make values-based decisions as they look toward the future. By fostering personal growth alongside collective experiences, they strengthen a sense of community, celebrating both individual and cohort achievements while deepening connections between students, staff and families.

These rites also emphasise equality and inclusion, ensuring every student feels recognised and valued for their unique contributions, rather than solely for academic success. Moments of silence, guided reflection and gratitude rituals encourage students to pause, consider their learning journey and articulate what they have discovered about themselves and their aspirations. Simplicity and mindfulness are central to the celebrations, focusing on purposeful, meaningful experiences rather than extravagance, and promoting respect, ethical choices and thoughtful stewardship of resources.

In addition, these events support holistic wellbeing by fostering positive emotions, social connection and resilience, helping students leave School with confidence, self-awareness and a strong sense of belonging. By combining reflection, recognition, community and ethical grounding, Year 12 rites of passage in the Senior School provide a deeply purposeful and memorable conclusion to students’ School journey, honouring their growth while preparing them for the next chapter of their lives.

The first major event is the Leavers’ Dinner, always one of the highlights of the School year. The Dinner offers a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements and growth of our Year 12 students and to reflect on the journey they have taken at the School and the strong relationships and sense of community that have developed along the way. Our leavers’ events encourage students to consider the people who have supported them and to express gratitude for the guidance and care they have received throughout their schooling.

The organisation of the Leavers’ Dinner is led by a student committee that works closely with the House Leaders to decide on the venue, format, theme and other arrangements. This year’s event was celebrated at Glen Albyn Estate south of Hobart, which allowed parents and friends to gather prior to the formal proceedings for photos and reflection. During the Dinner, students shared reflections and musical performances before finishing the night on the dance floor. The Dinner also served as the final fundraising event for the Year 12 students’ chosen charity for 2025, Friends of Bonorong.

On their final day of classes, our Year 12 students embraced one of the most vibrant traditions of the year: the Colour Run. Inspired by Holi, a festival celebrated by many Hindus as a joyful expression of renewal, connection and the triumph of good over evil, the event brought the Bottom Green to life in a whirlwind of colour, laughter and energy. Spirits were high as students ran through clouds of brightly coloured powder, marking the end of their School journey. Younger students watched and cheered from the sidelines, supporting and celebrating the graduating cohort and creating a genuine sense of community. Students and staff then enjoyed a shared lunch provided by food vans and an ice-cream truck. The day typified the deep respect of the Year 12 students as they marked the occasion in a fun and positive way, leaving a powerful legacy for younger students to emulate.

The Leavers’ Assembly is another special occasion for students, staff and families to gather in The Farrall Centre for an evening of speeches and reflections, musical performances and the awarding of special prizes. When reflecting on their time at Friends’, a common theme emerges from students: gratitude for the opportunities, friendships and guidance that have shaped their journey. They acknowledge the growth and challenges of their time at the School, from stepping outside their comfort zones to embracing new experiences both in the classroom and beyond. Many highlight the value of community, the support of peers and teachers and the importance of living with integrity, curiosity and empathy. Alongside this reflection, they offer advice to younger students: take risks, get involved, give your best effort and embrace the chance to learn and grow. These reflections capture the spirit of our graduating cohort—resilient, thoughtful and ready to make a positive impact as they step into the next chapter of their lives.

Finally, Year 12 Celebration Day provided a heartfelt and memorable conclusion to students’ journeys in the Senior School and at The Friends’ School. Continuing a long-standing tradition, the cohort raised funds to purchase a tree for the School—a living symbol of their growth over the years and a memento they can return to for many years to come. This year’s tree has been planted outside the W.N. Oats Building. Students then moved into a lively mock Assembly, where light-hearted certificates were awarded, fondly recalling humorous and memorable moments from their School experience.

The celebrations concluded in the Meeting House with one final Gathering held in the Quaker tradition, where students sat together in reflective silence and shared deeply poignant reflections on what Friends’ has meant to them. It was a day that beautifully combined joy, humour and contemplation, encapsulating the essence of their time at the School.

Together, these experiences show that Year 12 rites of passage are not only important social and developmental milestones, but also meaningful opportunities to bring Quaker values to life within our School community. When shaped by reflection, inclusivity and shared understanding, these moments become rich learning experiences that help our young people navigate this significant transition with confidence, purpose and a strong moral foundation.

Adam Chambers - Head of Senior School (Years 9 to 12)