Year 7 Traditions - Graduate Speeches

Way back in 2009, we began multiple initiatives, which have since become Lockleys North traditions. Amongst many things they include collaborative online planning for teachers, High Flyers as a portfolio of evidence of possessing graduate qualities and our Year 7 Graduate Speeches.

For our Year 7 students to be able to stand before audiences that can number 600 at times and reflect upon their years at primary schooling, it is both a challenge and right of passage. Family members and R-7 staff alike frequently take great pride in the exhibition of maturity, bravery and depth of thought by our students.

For those of you who do not have the opportunity to attend our assemblies, we’d like to share an example of a Lockleys North Graduate Speech. Demi Gallos is one of our 2019 graduates who has attended our school since Year 5 and is an outstanding example of the powerful learners we are all working to support.

Demi Gallos - Graduate Speech

My name is Demi Gallos and I am one of the 60 graduating students of 2019. I am currently in F15 along with my teachers Miss Martin and Mr Starr, who have both made sure that we’ve had a fun filled year!

I am 13 years old and I live with my parents Thomas & Toni, my younger sister Sophia who is in Year 4 and my older brother Steven who is in Year 9 at Henley High School. I also will be attending Henley next year.

My journey here at LNPS began in year 5. Since then, I have made some amazing friendships and created life-long memories. Some of the highlights include the 3 camps I attended at, Ballarat, Hindmarsh Island and Yorke Peninsula. I really enjoyed these camps as I had the opportunity to gain some skills and experiences that I’ve never had before. I will never forget the fun times with my friends at camp, where we shared lots of laughter, chatter, sleepless nights and midnight feasts.

Other highlights include Aquatics in Term 1, which was such a fun day filled with so many different activities, and capsizing the canoe in the middle of the lake was an experience I’ll never forget! The annual Sports Days are always a favourite, especially this year as Captain, I was able to lead Grallina to victory.

I’ve developed a passion for soccer and enjoyed the tournaments that I have participated in, which include K.O. Soccer both last year and this year, Underdale Cup, and Underdale Futsal a few weeks ago when both the LNPS girls and boys teams came first. The Colour Run event last year was also an unforgettable experience as I imagine this afternoon’s event will be. I must also mention here that Mr Starr’s interesting taste in socks, is something we’ll never forget!

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my friends, my family and cousins, cooking, eating, shopping, greek dancing and gymnastics. I have been a gymnast for 7 years and I train with Gym West, where I’m now also coaching younger gymnasts. I am also a member of the Messinian Dance School, and you might catch me performing with my group at various Greek festivals and events.

My favourite subjects at school are Maths and P.E. I like Maths because I enjoy being challenged and problem solving. P.E. is a good fit for me because I am so competitive and I like to experience different sports and activities.

I have contributed to the school in many ways over the last 3 years. This year, as I mentioned earlier, I was voted as Grallina’s Captain for Sports Day. I have also been part of Chair Crew, Tech Team, a Paper Recycling Monitor and a Library Monitor.

The people who have influenced me in my life are my family, teachers and friends. My teachers have supported and encouraged me throughout my years here and I would like to thank them all for doing that. My friends have always been there for me, to have fun and laugh with, but also to work and stay on task. But the people who have influenced me most in my life are my family because they all help me in so many different ways. My parents have always been there for me, to listen, teach and guide me as I have grown throughout the years and also to keep inspiring me to try harder and keep challenging myself. My brother Steven for being protective of me in life but also for having fun with and my sister Sophia because she is my shadow and we love to laugh and do all sorts of crazy things together. So, a big thank you to all of you who have shaped me into the person I am today.

In the future, my goal is to run a successful business … either a restaurant or gym. Because these are my two passions, eating and gymnastics. But my dilemma is that you can’t combine these two things into one business! Hopefully one day I’ll work out how to achieve my goal, and when I do - you all are welcome to become my clients!

My advice for future year 7’s is to never give up no matter how hard the challenge is, or no matter how much you don’t want to do it - it will all be worth it in the end.

Look forward, dream big and aim high!

Thank you.

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