Last night at the Graduation Ceremony I had the pleasure of welcoming family members, staff, Ms Carolyn Power, Member for Elder and most importantly our 2021 Year 6 and 7 graduates. I have included a copy of my Graduation speech below.

We wish our Graduates and their families every success in the future. For families that are moving on from our school, we wish you every success in your new school.

On behalf of the staff, I say thank you to our community for your continued support and flexibility as we navigated our way through another interrupted year.

We wish each and every one of you a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2022 for the start of a new school year.

Graduation speech 2021.

This evening we come together to mark a special milestone in the lives of our Year 6 and 7 students. Tonight, we mark the beginning of their transition to the next stage of their schooling. This is particularly a milestone for our Year 6 graduates as they are part of the first group to complete Year 7 in a high school setting in South Australia.

Approximately 8 years ago or 7 for our Year 6 students, this group of students were delightful, small, Reception students - so cute and in awe of school, learning and the big kids.

Over the past 7-8 years, the world has changed considerably - no more than in the last 18 months. The world has become more complex and challenging, with the skills and abilities to live a happy, successful life no longer as easily defined. Life has changed and the only guarantee is that it will continue to change.

In today’s world we need to ensure that each of you as individuals have strong skills and knowledge, a positive disposition and attitude that supports you as lifelong learners. At our school, our purpose is to build strong foundations on which you can continue to learn. This includes ensuring you remember it is okay to make mistakes, that you try your best and that you approach new experiences positively, with care and kindness towards others. Be ready to learn, look for possibilities and opportunities, and take risks while staying safe. Remember to live by the Golden Rule – Treat others as you would like them to treat you. This along with each of the Life Rafts will assist you to successfully navigate your way through high school and adulthood.

Success in life doesn’t just equate to school learning success. A feeling of wellbeing or being happy comes from belonging to groups (maybe teams or friends), of being fit and healthy and comfortable in your own skin. Being connected to others in positive ways, future proofs your mental wellbeing. Please believe you are a unique human that is part of a society where everyone is similar and wants desperately to feel valued, respected and treated fairly by others. Wellbeing comes from showing kindness; kindness makes you attractive to others as it will touch people’s hearts.

Graduates, you have achieved much individually and collectively as a group. I am sure you will remember the many opportunities provided as highlights of your final year in primary school. These are likely to include the school netball teams, Festival of Music choir, Sports Day, Harmony Day, Book Week, The End of Year Concert and the Arbury Park Camp amongst other key events. I am sure there will be many more opportunities on offer during your years at high school.

As you embark on your secondary schooling and the next phase of your life, always be principled and follow what you and your family believe in. Remember that the choices you make in life will affect other people around you. Be open minded and accepting of others - you are going to meet many new people next year. You will meet people that you really like and others you are not so sure about. Please remember everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Be kind hearted and a generous bucket filler.

I would like to thank the parents, family members, relatives and other loved ones, all of the teachers who have worked with you and supported you to be the person that you are today. This of course includes your Year 6/7 teachers Ms Alanah and Ms Melanie, the specialist teachers and our support staff for their guidance and input throughout your education and development so far.

I know that each of you thinks differently about the next year. Some of you are excited, some of you are nervous and for some you have mixed feelings about leaving the safe community of Clovelly Park and moving on to the unknown. Staff at Clovelly Park are proud of your individual achievements, academically and socially. We will always be interested in your continued progress and look forward to hearing about your successes as a lifetime member of our community.

On behalf of our staff, I wish each and every one of you, every success for your future.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Terena Pope

The Year that Was!