Achievers Assembly
On Monday 6th February, we welcomed back some of our Year 12's from 2022 to celebrate their results at our Achievers Assembly. For anyone who would like to watch the assembly can do so here: link.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Academic awards recognise academic excellence and are awarded to the student who achieved the top study score and was the top-ranked student for each particular subject.
VET Sport and Recreation: Ruby Adkins
Art and Health and Human Development: Holly Belsar
Psychology: Charli Burns
Further Mathematics: Kira Gange
VET: Music Performance: Ashley Geary
VET: Building and Construction: Tyler Jonathan
Chemistry and Physical Education: Kate Little
History (Revolutions) and Visual Communication and Design: David Phillips
English: Sandra Sabu
VET: Information Technology, Mathematical Methods and Physics: Liam Smart
Legal Studies and Literature: Kaatje Smolders
Business Management: Anthony Williams
Food Studies: Emily Wilson
Biology: Tahlia Zizic
Economics and Geography: Jessica Zubcic
SPONSORED AWARDS
Cardell's Accountants - Humanities and Social Science Award - Anthony Williams
This award is sponsored by Cardell's Accountant for the value of $250
Leongatha Medical Group Science and Mathematics Award: Tahlia Zizic
This award is sponsored by the Leongatha Medical Group for the value of $150
Rhonda Malone Memorial Bursary Award - Charli Burns
This award commemorates Rhonda Malone and was instituted in 2015 by her husband Michael and his family in her memory. Rhonda was well known and loved throughout the district for her community service and her work as a nurse and nursing leader.
Charli is undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University. The bursary valued at $3,000 will go toward her studies.
COLLEGE DUX 2022
The award for the student who obtained the highest ATAR in 2022: Liam Smart with an ATAR of 96.7. This award comes with $500.
Congratulations to all our award winners!
Liam Smart - 2022 Dux Achievers Assembly Speech
"Good morning staff, current students, and anybody else who has given up their time to be with us today. I would like to first congratulate my peers for the accolades they are celebrating, as well as thank these same people for the endless emotional support, academic assistance, and laughs that we shared through this tumultuous time in our lives.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our teachers and staff. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to our education has inspired us and helped us reach our full potential. You have been our guides, our mentors, and our champions, and we are so grateful for the impact you have had on our lives.
On behalf of the graduating Class of 2022, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for your unwavering support, your encouragement, and the countless hours you have invested in our growth and success. You have made a lasting impact, and we will carry your lessons and your guidance with us as we navigate the future.
Most of you have probably heard a million different terms to describe the time you will spend at high school, particularly during VCE. Some may describe it to you as the best years of your life, whilst others recall their time as filled with nothing but insurmountable pressure. Personally, I’ve experienced both sides of this coin, and whilst it’s not always easy, as sappy as it sounds high school is really what you make of it.
If you overextend yourself every single day to get an extra couple of marks on a test, your time here will be emotionally, physically, and mentally draining. Whereas if you do not apply yourself at all, I fear you will look back on your high school experience as a series of missed opportunities. Instead, I implore you all to put your mental health first, and just do the best you can on any given day, and whilst I still wholeheartedly think you should strive for greatness, I know firsthand that no score or ranking is worth more than a healthy mind.
It is okay to not have all the answers, and it is okay to seek help when we need it. Whether it's talking to a friend, seeking support from a mental health professional, or finding solace in a hobby, we all need to take care of ourselves and prioritize our mental health.
So, as we move into the future, let us remember that our mental and emotional well-being is just as important as our academic success. Let us support one another, be kind to ourselves, and always strive for a healthy mind and spirit.
As one of only two male duxes who have had this opportunity to stand before you all in the last 13 years, I feel it’s imperative that I address the young men I see before me. We as men have a responsibility to create a safe and equal environment for women, free from harassment, discrimination, and violence. This requires us to be mindful of and take responsibility for our actions and words, and to understand both the direct and indirect impact that they may have on others.
Respect is the cornerstone of all healthy relationships, and it is essential in all our interactions. This means treating all individuals with dignity, actively listening to them, and valuing their perspectives and experiences.
It also means being aware of and respecting personal boundaries, and avoiding behaviour that may make others feel uncomfortable or threatened. Just consider that if you have to stop and ask yourself if something is inappropriate or disrespectful, chances are it is both.
Finally, as students, we are often encouraged to be independent and self-reliant, but it is important to recognise that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether it is seeking help from a teacher, a classmate, or a family member, asking for help can be the key to unlocking our full potential and achieving our goals.
At the same time, it is essential that we put in the hard work required to succeed. This means setting clear goals, dedicating time and effort to our studies, and seeking out opportunities to learn and grow. From my personal experience, having the courage to ask for help and the determination to continue working even when it is difficult, is the key to success in VCE, and much more. Take it from the guy that failed his Year 11 English exam, and nearly gave up and dropped out altogether in Year 10, it doesn’t matter if you’ve never fully applied yourself up to this point, or if you feel like you can never catch up to your cohort, no matter your circumstances, if you work hard and ask for help when stuck you will be astounded at the level of success you can reach.
Thank you all so much for your attention, and again for your time. I wish my fellow graduates the best of luck in their future endeavours, and I hope for the current students at this College, that the coming years are full of priceless memories and an endless list of achievements."