Principal Message

Hello Kildare Community,

We have been very busy over the last few weeks saying farewell to our Year 12 students. We are incredibly proud of the exemplary way our students have finished their time at the College and have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to acknowledge their achievements and celebrate them as the Class of 2026.

Please watch the video below to see more.

On Wednesday this week, we held our Farewell Assembly. I would like to share sections of the farewell message from our Year 12 Coordinator, Amanda Ryan, who brought many parents, staff and students to tears.

‘As your Year 12 Coordinator—and as a Science teacher who loves observing how things change, react, and grow over time—standing here today fills me with immense pride. Having had the privilege of walking alongside you, watching you evolve from Year 7s into the extraordinary young adults sitting before me has been one of the highlights of my career.

In science, we often talk about potential energy—the stored energy an object has before it moves. But potential is only realised with movement. Growth doesn't happen when things are comfortable or predictable; it happens when you push against your limits.

Now, as a science teacher, you might expect me to quote Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, or Dr Brian Cox today. But a piece of wisdom that has resonated with me for a while comes from a slightly different master… Master Shifu from Kung Fu Panda.

He said: “If you only do what you can, you will never be more than you are now.”

As a cohort you have consistently moved beyond your comfort zone, and chosen to be more than you were yesterday.’.……

….. ‘Now, you stand at the edge. Everything is about to change.

Some of you are heading off to University to dive deep into academic study. Others are stepping straight into the workforce, starting TAFE qualifications and apprenticeships, or taking a well-deserved gap year to explore the world.

Whichever path you take, my challenge to you today is simple: keep stepping beyond yourselves.

Don’t just stick to what is easy or familiar. Choose the challenging project. Take the job interview that makes your hands sweat. Move to the new place. Embrace a hobby you might fail at. Because every time you step outside your comfort zone, you expand what you are capable of.

As your teachers, our job was never just to teach you facts or prepare you for exams. Our ultimate goal was to give you the tools, foundation, and confidence to go further than you ever thought you could. There is a line from another iconic mentor—Master Yoda in Star Wars—that captures the heart of what it means to be an educator:

“We are what they grow beyond.”

As teachers, that is our greatest hope and our greatest pride for each of you. We stand here today ready to watch you grow beyond these classrooms, beyond our guidance, and beyond what you ever imagined you were capable of achieving.

Class of 2026 it has been an absolute honor to be your Year 12 Coordinator. Go out there, break the mold, experiment with life, and step bravely into your future.

Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2026!’

Thank you to the Class of 2026! Thank you for your contribution to our community. We wish you all the best with whatever comes next, which for many of you will be your HSC examinations next term. We look forward to celebrating with Year 12 students and parents, after the HSC exams, at the Year 12 Formal on Friday 6th November.

Have a wonderful break everyone.