College Dux 2013

Madeleine Harmer

Good Morning teachers, students, family and friends,

I think I spoke too early when I assumed my speech at the Farewell Assembly was going to be my last one.

I am beyond excited to be up here right now. After years and years of listening to every word of the dux speech and hoping one day it would be me, it is unbelievable I am up here. To obtain the highest mark is absolutely crazy, and yet as much as it’s my name on the paper, the work and effort invested by the other high achievers and our support networks, are to be recognised as well.

Year 12 definitely lived up to everything it was supposed to be. It was the best year, and it was because we made it so. We embraced every aspect of life we could, however with the ultimate commitment of the HSC. My idea of HSC is not about spending every single night of every week of the whole year locked in your room and not coming out.  HSC is a commitment. A commitment to be balanced. Functioning to the best of your ability on the exam day is what you want, and that can’t be done if you are not yourself. I still had so much fun, hanging with my friends, relaxing on the lounge, meeting new people. All of it was a contribution to my success.  I used it as a weekly goal. Something to look forward to at the end of the week after the solid study was done. As long as you have a balanced schedule that works best for you, doing what you feel and know should be the right amount of study.  You don’t have to be the smartest or the most talented to achieve, it is trying to the best of your ability. Fulfilling your own dreams and goals. And your best of ability may be completely different to someone else’s. The fact is you don’t know what happens beyond closed doors. Alone and away from world you can do as much or as little study as you want. You don’t have to tell anyone or prove anything, how much effort you put in is your business and for you to know. Let others assume. It’s up to you to fulfil your own dreams. If there is a goal, whether that be music, academic, sporting, art; and you put your mind to it, you can achieve. Think about your goal, believe you can do it, and if you truly want it you will always receive.

The concept of balance is something I was strongly intrigued with throughout the year. I centred my major work for English upon it. But my notion of balance could not have been achieved without the people in my life. The constant support. Day in day out my family supported me through everything. My grandparents, Aunts and especially Mum, Dad, Charlotte, you have all shaped me into the person I am, inspiring and helping me to create my goals. You provided me with the environment to study and supported me throughout my entire education. Thank you very much.

My teachers. The best thing about this school is our teachers.

Mr Hill, since year 7, day 1 I was in your class. Every lesson was one I looked forward to. Early morning 7:30 lessons, classic maths tutorials with our traditional chips and gravy arvo tea. You gave me my love of maths. You inspired not just me but everyone in our class to do well. You put up with my gazillion trillion questions and somehow just managed to make me understand it all... eventually. Thank you for absolutely everything.

Mrs Fraser, Mr Heise, Mrs Breust; English was such a long ride. So so much time you all put in to marking my numerous drafts and my too many words that I needed to refine. I struggled very much and on many occasion felt like giving up, and yet with all your help I managed to make it to the other side. So many hours on the many words. I am so grateful for all your help.

Mr Gleeson, many many hilarious lessons were spent in your classroom! From commerce to ancient history I learnt so much but further never laughed so hard. Every lesson was interesting, every lesson a new memory was made.

Mrs Bright, your love for the environment was clearly evident in the number of trees I received! But when I went back through every sheet of paper, I found every one contributed. I wasn’t in class much with my mixed schedule and yet you truly were so kind and helped very much in always ensuring I got the same learning as everyone else.

Aside from my specific teachers, Mrs Anderson everything you did throughout my senior years was with kindness and constantly reminded and helped me to continue my positive attitude. Your daily presence in the school embodies Mater Dei’s motto “Live God’s Message”. My Homegroup and Homegroup teachers the Miss Fisher’s, always so chilled and providing such a relaxing time with support. And Mrs. Streckfuss, every day you made me laugh! Thank you to Mr Miller for making the school what it is now, for being our leader throughout our entire high schooling life with unquestionable guidance and encouragement even from Year 7. The school became more than just my education, it became a second home.

I had my support and my amazing education, and yet there were people who pushed me along. Annie, Becca and Renee. Competing always, you all deserve to be up here as much as me. We all did a different range of subjects and yet there was less than one ATAR mark between us all! That is crazy! In all subjects bar one I had at least one of you for competition, I had your help, I had the fun that came out of it. We have done everything together and here we are, at the end of our Mater Dei journey.

To all students, the class of 2014, the new faces of year 7s I don’t know, a word of advice, you can all do it! No matter what you want to do in life, from a trade to university; try your best. I started with no clue what I wanted to do in life and yet had the approach if I do my best I can have the options to do what I want. Don’t ever be downed by results. When I got some of my trial marks back I was very distressed, and yet with support and encouragement of all, I put my head down and aimed for my marks. I didn’t assume I would get them, I worked to get them. Every little bit you do counts. Put your mind to something and stick with it. Good luck for the future and good luck for your goals. You can all do it no matter what. You are at the premier school of Wagga so use this opportunity. And, most importantly enjoy the journey for what it is. Never wish it away. Thank you.