Valedictory

On Thursday night, 21 October we celebrated our Boarding Valedictorians with their families and boarding staff. 

The evening began with an Acknowledgement of Country from Mariah Lennard followed by a welcome and reflection by the outgoing Boarding Captains, Karis Cristinelli and Daniel Cosh, who each spoke movingly of their time in boarding and expressed their gratitude to their parents, their cohort and staff for supporting them along their journey. 

Stephanie Lamont led a group of boarders in a musical presentation, which entertained everyone and reflected just how much talent there is in the boarding community. It was great to see Zaydee Kiagoes, Paige Narkle, Madison Smart and Ava Smith all supporting Stephanie within the band on the night. 

There were prayers, blessings and a staff reflection, amusingly exploring all the skills the Year Twelve students will need for life after school and the level of preparation different students have already exhibited. The superb Year Eleven Hospitality students, including boarders Alexander Norrish, Holly Blechynden, Jasmine Bradshaw, Madison Smart and Kate Squibb all served for the evening. Whilst enjoying our main meals, everyone enjoyed watching a slideshow presentation of the Year Twelve students. The parent responses by Mrs Anita Penny and Mrs Deb Cristinelli were appreciated by all and the night concluded with a toast to Year Twelves by Mr Mark Sawle. 

Each boarder received a gift from the boarding staff of a photo book of their time in boarding and an engraved pen. It was lovely to see the students collecting messages and well-wishes written in the back of these books throughout the evening. It was a memorable evening of sharing and reflecting on the amazing Year Twelve boarding cohort of 2021. The evening would not have been possible without many staff contributing and bringing the event together.  We thank Mrs Di Franzinelli, the Chefs Nick Harvey and Tyler Sibert, the hospitality team led by Mrs Teresa McAllister, Community Relations staff Mrs Julia Bairstow and Ms Cat Woods and Mr Josh Jackson from the IT team. 

The following morning, the boarders and their families joined together in the Day School for Chapel, a presentation service and a festival lunch. It was a precious time, with tears shed as families read letters from their children and celebrated their achievements. The decoration of the marquees and the variety of food trucks and tents were enjoyed by all.

In the final few days of school, Abigail Winyard presented a speech to the Senior students and it provided a lovely reflection of her time in boarding. With her permission, we share her speech below:

When I first moved into boarding at the ripe old age of 12, I made a deal with myself. I convinced myself that if I survived one term in boarding, my mum and dad would be proud enough of me and that I could finally go home. That was 24 terms ago. 

24 terms or almost six years later, we are almost at the end of our days at Great Southern Grammar, and for the 14 boarders, the end of our time in boarding. 

Boarding has been our home, some for six years, some only for a few terms, and others, every amount of time in between. Regardless, boarding is the place we call home. And as much as little Year Seven me’s jaw would drop at me saying this, I’m going to miss it.

Boarding has allowed me to grow immensely as a person. Since beginning in Year Seven, I have grown, both in physical height (admittedly not by much), but also mentally. I have gained a new appreciation for my own ability to take care of myself, but also acquired the skill of being able to ask for help when things all get a little too overwhelming. 

The girls I’ve come to know more as sisters than as friends will always have a place in my heart and the memories we have created together will certainly last a lifetime. 

However, 

• Over are the days of learning to live cohesively with boys in Michaelmas. 
• Over are the days of endless study with one to many cups of coffee in Breaksea. 
• Over are the days where a quick text to the boys telling them to come over and watch a movie or play a game of what do you meme with us will result in much laughter 
• Over are the days where you will have to wonder if I’ve gone missing or if I’m just still asleep in bed.
• Over are the days where I have to beg Jas to stop studying, to come watch a Disney movie with me.
• Over are the days of endless fire alarms and fire call outs.
• Over are the days where the Year Eleven’s clog the hallways in prep with endless chatter.
• Over are the days where the newest Year Ten drama becomes the talk of the house.
• Over are the nights of binge watching the latest episodes of the most recent reality show. 

To those Year Tens and Elevens we leave behind… make the most of your time left in boarding. Live harmoniously, don’t get caught up on the little things and most of all, when times get rough, lean on those around you because they will see you through thick and thin. 

Lastly to our little boarding family, you guys truly have become people I know I can count on to celebrate my biggest triumphs and who will sit by me in my worst meltdowns. I love you all. 

I’d like to end with a quote that I’ve adapted from the one and only Troy Bolton,

“Once a boarder, always a boarder” 

Abigail Winyard | Year Twelve