Principal's Update

Last week we gathered for the first time in 2020 as a school community for what was a wonderful College Assembly. Our College theme for the year, Justice – Making the needs of the vulnerable paramount, and in particular how we as individuals and as a community can live out this core value, was a key focus of our gathering. 

Our Year 7 students were warmly welcomed as they entered what was their first experience of the gathering together of the entire school community. It was wonderful to have members of the Class of 2019 join us as they, along with some of our current Year 12 students, were acknowledged for achieving a Study Score of 40 or higher and/or achieving an ATAR of 90 or higher.   Our  College Dux, Despina Nianiakos, delivered what was a very moving and inspirational speech to all gathered.  She spoke openly about the challenges she has faced and how, with great determination and effort, she was able to achieve beyond her own expectations.  Since the assembly I have heard many students and staff comment on how inspiring she was.   It is my pleasure to share, with Despina’s permission, her address:

Good morning Ms Mangelsdorf, staff, students and other members of the Kilbreda College community. Thank you for the opportunity to address the school, it is a real honour and terrifying!

I remember sitting at the exact same spot where the class of 2020 is sitting listening to last year’s DUX. I was intensively listening to her speech and wondering how someone like myself would be able to even get close to such score. My goal was never to become DUX but to do well enough to get into my course, and I did not believe I even had that capability. That was my first downfall. Not believing in myself.

We often are our own worst critics constantly putting ourselves down and, in my case, constantly undermining my achievements. I have endured challenges in my life, and I will share these today in hope that anyone experiencing the same things knows they are not alone and they can achieve anything they put their minds to.

I lost my mother to cancer just at the age of 11 and soon after, migrated to Australia with English as my second language. I suffered from depression and crippling anxiety, throughout year 9 and 10 after moving schools for a third time. I felt completely hopeless, alone and I had entered a phase of self-doubt, constant belittlement and a ‘poor me mindset’. I had lost all motivation and was actually close to even dropping out of school in year 11.

Yes, the DUX of Kilbreda College was close to dropping out of school. However, one day something snapped inside of me. I realised feeling sorry for myself was not getting me anywhere. I deeply pondered on the footprint I wanted to leave in this world. My goal is to enter the healthcare industry and improve healthcare not only in Australia but all over the world. For me to achieve this I realised I needed to start caring about my education, to not take what I have been given for granted and to utilise all the resources I had, such as my teachers.

So, I stuck a sign with my goal ATAR on my desk along with what I hoped to achieve in the future and I started working hard. I did not let my previous setbacks discourage me, I made a sound effort to work on my mental health, adopt a healthier diet and utilise my perseverance and resilience. This is ultimately what got me through year 12. If I can do it despite all these setbacks, then every single one of you in here has the potential to achieve greatness and pursue anything you set your mind to.

If any of you are sitting here looking at me thinking ‘I’m never going to be able to achieve this score. I’m just not smart enough’. Well that’s exactly what I thought when I was listening to last year’s DUX speech. I want to reiterate and emphasise that just ‘being smart’ doesn’t get you results in year 12 nor will it help you in your life. No one is born knowing everything.

Sure some people might have a natural inkling to certain subjects but I have seen plenty of people who are ‘naturally talented’ but don’t put in the effort achieve less than people who work hard but don’t always find the subject easy. Hard work will always get your farther than “natural talent”.

There were many times where people would tell me ‘you are smart you will be fine’. Whilst I’m sure they meant it with the best of intentions, it undermined all the hard work I put into my studies. No one saw the hours and hours I was glued to my desk studying and revising. No one saw the hours I spent at the library, doing extra work to hand in to my teachers. No one saw the times where things were tough, and I did not do as well as I wanted. No one saw me doing practice questions and getting a certain question wrong 20 times before I finally got it right, often being in tears from frustration. (Methods!) It was a lot of hard work.

With every person’s success, we always look at end results but do not see the setbacks, failures and hours of work behind their achievements. So now I will tell you my favourite quote that inspired me throughout the year ‘Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard’. So, without hard work, determination and resilience, results will not be forthcoming no matter how ‘smart’ someone is.  

You will face plenty of setbacks this year and to overcome them you must believe in yourself, put in the effort and be prepared to make sacrifices. Work consistently, utilise your teachers and do not cram from SAC to SAC. Whilst you should always strive for a balance and not let go of all your extracurricular activities, sometimes you will have to say no to social events, or cut back on some shifts at work. I did that and I was fully aware and prepared to make such sacrifices.

However, I did make mistakes throughout year 12 and didn’t take care of my physical health. I did not exercise pretty much at all throughout year 12 nor did I take regular breaks from studying. As a result, I completely burnt out on the last week of exams and I believe I could have done better if I studied less and rested more.  So please do not give up your sports, dance, job or any of your hobbies, just balance the time you spend on them.

I am not special or extraordinarily smart. What got me those results was my work ethic and persistence and if I can do it each of you in this hall has the same potential. Getting this ATAR score was not just about getting into my course, as we all know there are a variety of pathways. It was more about setting a goal to prove to myself that I am capable of anything I put my mind to if I persevere.

I am grateful that I have this opportunity to thank my teachers for all the early morning and after school help sessions and correcting countless practice exams – you truly went above and beyond. To my classmates for embracing me and supporting me especially when I was having a breakdown! And my parents for the support and encouragement I received throughout the year. Without all the continued support I received, I would not be standing where I am today.

So, in closing, thank you for your attention and I wish you the best of luck in your studies. And always remember ‘Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard’.

As Despina has clearly shown, we can all overcome the challenges we may face in life and with self-belief and determination achieve the goals we set ourselves.

At the assembly, we also commissioned our College Co-Captains, Kate Lowe and Keely Ortland, along with our other Year 12 leaders for 2020.  These young women embody our College values and I wish them well as they serve our school community, with strength and kindliness, this year.

I will conclude with the blessing that Sr Lia Commadeur csb, extended upon them: