From the Management Team

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Deuteronomy 31:8 

Valedictory is such a special and magical time at any school. The culmination of secondary schooling is significant and is certainly something worth celebrating. Arguably, most of our students arrive to high school as children, but undoubtably, they leave as young adults with many being eighteen years of age and therefore holding full adult status; their vote counts just as much as yours and mine. As the Year 12s left the stage last Thursday night just after the staff sang their farewell blessing, it was clear that their time at Endeavour College meant something to them. Many were teary, as were many of the staff, knowing the journey we have all been on, the relationships formed, the work under our belt and that this exact group of people would most likely not be in the one space together again, was a special moment in time to be savoured. High school is hard. It should be hard. It is designed to prepare our children for the future and the world outside of school and, let’s face it, life outside school is amazing, but it is challenging. To see the mixed emotions of joy and sorrow on the faces of the students, showed us that the journey had indeed meant something. 

Heather Vogt’s Valedictory speech aptly explored the theme “Under Construction”. Of course, this graduating class have seen extensive building works throughout their time at the College, including the Middle Years extension in preparation for our inaugural Year 7 cohort and now the new Senior Years wing of the campus, due to be opened at the beginning of the 2020 school year. While it is nice to acknowledge these projects, her theme extended to the concept of our students being “under construction”; that as life-long learners, as adults, as creative influencers on the world, as spiritual beings, we are all “under construction”. Let’s face it, six years of high school is just a ‘blink’ in our long lives and therefore we hope that all students walk away from their experience at Endeavour feeling very much ‘a work in progress’, ready to continue their learning journey and continuing to grow themselves in every possible way. 

I was lucky enough to receive the most delightful card from a graduating student and their words probably sum up the experience of their journey better than I can. 

“Looking back at my five years at Endeavour, I want to tell you what a great school it is; the values that it upholds, the spirit, the community and the endless opportunities, has made it my absolute honour and pleasure to have been a student at this school.” 

We were also visited by students who did not graduate with the class, but who took the time to come and share with us their stories of success outside of school. Their sense of pride in what they were doing was wonderful and I know many teachers were touched. 

A Valedictory Service often allows us to stop for a moment and reflect on how special Endeavour College is to be a part of and just how rich and wonderful our community is. Thank you all for being that community and for what you have done and continue to do to pour into the lives and journeys of all our students. 

Peter Pearse

Deputy Principal