The Class of 2023

Guyra Central School farewelled the graduating Year 12 Class of 2023 on Friday September 22nd 2023. The school’s Valedictory day started with a traditional ‘Year 12 Breakfast’ hosted by the year 11 students. The ‘Class of 2023’ were then farewelled and graduated during a fitting Valedictory Assembly. Students from years 7-11 spoke on behalf of their year groups about each of the graduating students with one common consensus - that the year 12 cohort were role models to their younger peers. 

Year 12 advisor Mr Jeremy Galvin travelled back in time and took the assembly on a journey down memory lane sharing his experience with the leaving students. Here are some highlights from Mr Jeremy Galvin - 

'I am proud of year 12 for just finishing school, it is an acheivement! You should all be proud to be here as a group of 20 kids.  I am told that it is a number higher than we have had at Guyra for some time. You should all be proud of yourselves for that too.'

'Our captains, you can see even back in year 6 or 7  Nioka has the qualities of a leader.  Nioka has a special kind of leadership, she is a quiet leader, an indigenous leader, the first indigenous school captain ever at this school I am told. This school is over 50 years old and that is a massive achievement that she should be proud of for the rest of her life. She has been a role model for her peers and grown as a person and she has lots of good things ahead of her.'

'Harris - This bloke is one of the most reliable men I have ever met.  He is always keen to help, keen to be involved and always carries himself the same way - as a gentlemen.  Harris is the man every team needs, you know he will turn up and do the job every time to the best of his ability, and everything I have ever asked him to do he has just done it, with no fuss, no questions asked. He has been a distinguished leader of the SRC and fulfilled his captain role with aplomb. And I want to  acknowledge and thank Dante and Ellie for a great job in the supporting role.  We have had a stellar group of leaders this year.'

'For your futures - Follow your hearts. Pace yourself. I want you to travel and try new things, push yourself and be the best version of yourself you can be.  Set goals and achieve them.  Life is starting for you now in a different way and we wish you all the best.'

As a parting gift , the Class of 2023 gifted cherry trees to the school, which will be planted near recently installed gym equipment. Each year the departing Year 12 students also select a recipient from years 7-10 to receive the 'Positive Recognition Shield' for their contribution to the school and community. This year’s award went to Annabelle Collins.

The finale of the Valedictory was a video featuring each student’s journey at Guyra Central School.Parents were given the opportunity to contribute to the video and the school heard many messages from their proud families.  

Every student’s path has been different and they have each learnt in different ways and grown into independent learners. Some of the students started their educational journey together at Guyra Central School 13 years ago, completing their first and last days of school at Guyra Central School.A number of students completed School Based Apprenticeships or Traineeships, while other students challenged themselves and completed subjects by Distant Education as part of their Higher School Certificate studies. The school also saw Big Picture graduates for the first time among this year’s cohort.

Guyra Central School would like to wish the Year 12 cohort all the best in their HSC final exams.