Year 12 Pastoral Guardian

The beautiful Kedron jacarandas are reaching the end of their blooms just as our Year 12s are reaching the end of their studies, milestone External Exams, end of Year 12 and their time at the College.  I commend all students on their resilience, focus, and presence over the final weeks, and indeed their final year.  2020 certainly challenged everyone in so many ways but this year level grew stronger and more united.  

At this time of year, I remember the highlights - the first being the Commissioning Ceremony with the excitement of finally being Seniors and Captains, receiving their Senior ties and badges, and reciting their pledge of leadership.  In Year 12, there are so many moments that the students look forward to as their lasts.  2020 jersey arrival day was an exciting early moment, as was the colourful, spirited, themed Swimming Carnival where all 12s showed unity and leadership and spirit for their houses.  The weeks of Learning from Home gave the Senior students great gains of more independence, yet for most an appreciation of what students value - friendship, shared lunchtimes, smiling faces, teachers' favourite sayings, home room meetings in person, face-to-face lessons with peers and friends, team training and sport competitions resuming, and artistic clubs creating again together.  The finale of Term 3 - our fantastic Carnivale Cultural Festival - was a brilliant highlight and outlet for fun and celebration.  The Battle of the Houses was testament to the leadership by Seniors in every house, proving our young people just 'keep on keeping on'.  Sprinkled throughout the year were valued opportunities that Year 12s embraced for involvement and leadership in Outreach: SVDP Sleepover, Purple Day, Variety Hair with Heart, and domestic violence care packages.  I also wish to thank the Captains for their positive leadership of the College.  One final celebration not to forget was the festive, traditional Pink Day to mark the final day of learning, where Year 12s proved that they had lived up to the expectation of leaving well.  

While taking part as Senior leaders in all College events, the Year 12s had to remain very focused on their academic and career goals, as trailblazers in the new system.  For that part of their role as Senior students they are to be commended.  Your child’s high school journey is drawing to a close and at this stage you may be feeling sad, relieved, excited, but certainly proud, as it has been your journey too with all of your support and encouragement to reach the final goal.   

In the final week, at Evolution Day, students reflect on their time at the College and their role models who have guided them thus far, and look forward to the road ahead.  Finally, we may all share a sense of achievement and celebration at the Graduation and Awards Ceremony.  I look forward to calling every student by name to graduate on this most important occasion. 

As the students graduate, I want to share the wise words of graduand Makenzi Tomkins  written at the end of  Year 8 for the College Yearbook in response to ways of being “frontiers young people”: “how little we know about ourselves and our world, and there is so much to know and discover, if we have the courage and drive to do so”. 

 I know our young people  are excited for their next steps and will have the courage to embrace their futures. 

I will miss this lovely year level and wish them all a future filled with happiness, love. and personal fulfillment as they are guided by Franciscan values.   

God bless you as a family at this time of year.

Karen Farrow