October 2018

Congratulations to the Class of 2018

It was with great pleasure and enormous pride that I farewelled the Class of 2018 at the college assembly on the 16th of October. This week marked the completion of the Year 12 students’ secondary school education.

It is almost six years since the principal of the time, Ms. Eglezos, welcomed this cohort of students to Kurunjang Secondary College in the school’s gymnasium. At the time, they were all sitting in their brand new uniforms, full of excitement, anticipation and even apprehension for the next stage of their lives, the start of their secondary schooling. Six years on from that first initial welcome, we congratulated the Class of 2018 and wished them well in the next stage of their lives in the same place.

I took this opportunity to focus on two simple, but important pieces of advice which I also think is important for all of us to reflect on.

These messages are particularly meaningful for our Year 12 students as they leave our college.

1. Never Forget Your Origins, and never forget that you are now part of the history of Kurunjang Secondary College.

Whether we like it or not or whether we are willing to admit to it, the past shapes us. It is undeniable that our experiences, whether they be at home, school or elsewhere, influence who we are and who we will become. They shape the way we deal with situations or people – they impact on how we see the world.

Reflecting on the experiences you have had here at Kurunjang Secondary College over the past six years, some of you will look back with great fondness and will celebrate with great pride and joy. Others will have mixed feelings about what has taken place over this time. In either case, remembering where you come from, building on the positives, learning from mistakes made or misfortunes had is the key for future successes and happiness.

My fond hope is that you will all come to see that you have been given many opportunities to experience a rich and diverse education, one of the great privileges you will experience in your life, and one that I’m sure you will grow to appreciate as you mature. It is my wish that you will take the experiences, opportunities, and the friendships you have gained here and allow them to be the driving force and source of immense support for you making a difference in the world.

2. Live Your Life to the Full

As you leave, I encourage each of you to follow in the well-worn footsteps of thousands of students that have gone before you. Go with the aim to not only maintain the proud history our past students have created, but more importantly set about creating your own history, setting your own bench marks by living your life to the full.

In doing this please Remember: Don’t stop learning

“Take a piece of the school with you. Over time you will have absorbed not only information, knowledge, and skills, but also an institution’s values, culture and history. Take that experience and use it to make a difference in the world.”

Be brave and positive :

“Cast your net wide. Be courageous about meeting people, about having a go at something you haven’t done before.”

“Have big dreams and ambitions. School should have prepared you to be resilient and equipped you with the grit and determination to succeed and overcome the inevitable knock-backs along the way. It’s easy to feel defeated at times, but view these moments as a challenge. Positivity attracts positivity – and positive people are generally great to be around.”

Get outside of your comfort zone

"Don’t only stick to friends who are like you, reach out and listen to those who have different interests and backgrounds, and most importantly – volunteer some of your time."

Don’t be afraid to fail

“Learn from your mistakes and persevere, remembering this quote from Samuel Beckett: 'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.’ ”

The Class of 2018 has been an engaged and creative group of young people who have worked together with their dedicated teachers and staff in preparing for their exams and their achievement of competencies. Class of 2018, you leave us in the knowledge that your contribution as a group has been unique and you should be very proud of what you have achieved to this point.

We are all waiting in anticipation for mid December when the results are released.

To all graduating students, we wish you well as you embark on the next phase of your journey whether it is further study or employment.

Good luck.

-John Mitsinikos

College Principal

In The Community