Meliora Sequamur Awards Night 2025

On Tuesday 14 October, the Northcote High School community gathered in the Theatre to celebrate our annual Meliora Sequamur Awards Night, an evening that recognises students who have truly “followed the better path.”

Guests, nominees, and nominators were warmly welcomed by our outstanding Year 11 Captains - Brenna, Lucinda, Nikita and Eve - who confidently MC’d the event. The night began with a beautiful performance from our very talented Harmony Vocal Ensemble, whose voices filled the theatre and set a wonderful tone for the celebration ahead.

Adding to the evening’s highlights, Year 12 Captain Charlie Mitchell delivered an inspiring speech on leadership, reflecting on his journey at Northcote High and the lessons he has learned about collaboration and personal growth. His words captured the spirit of what it means to lead with authenticity and purpose. Nell Edgar gave us a beautiful half time performance.

As many guests discovered, Google Translate offers a slightly alarming version of Meliora Sequamur “to catch malaria”! Thankfully, the true meaning is far more uplifting: to follow the better path. This perfectly encapsulates the essence of the awards, which celebrate students who have embodied Northcote’s values of humanity, curiosity, fairness, and achievement throughout their time at school.

With a student body of more than 1,600, those present on the night represented a small but exceptional group recognised by both teachers and peers for their positive impact on our school community. Leadership at Northcote High continues to evolve beyond titles or badges, it’s about initiative, kindness, and the courage to make a difference.

The awards acknowledge this in two distinct categories:

· Contribution and Commitment, celebrating students who have made a sustained impact through service, teamwork, and community involvement; and

· Significant and Positive Change, recognising those who have demonstrated remarkable personal growth and resilience.

Congratulations to all nominees and award recipients for 2025. Your leadership, effort, and spirit of “following the better path” continue to make Northcote High a place where students thrive and inspire others.

Special thanks to our performers, Harmony Vocal Ensemble and Nell Edgar, to Charlie for his brilliant address, Jackie Brogan for everything that you do behind the scenes and to everyone who helped make the night such a success.

Jaymie Metcalf

Student Leadership, Voice and Agency Coordinator