West Campus News

Year 12 Final Days

The last two days of school for the Year 12 students have certainly been busy and emotional. On Tuesday morning, the Student Executive consisting of Brooklyn Faamausili, Mitchell Tharle, Tahlia Coates, Celeste Hill, Emma Pocock, Kira May and Imogen Stoneman joined Mr Chris Black and Mr David Hansen to unveil the plaque identifying the Class of 2018’s legacy gift. Our tradition of planting a tree for each year 12 class beside the driveway from Navarre Drive has become an important symbol for our College. Mr Black spoke to these students of the significance of their gift of a tree. The roots are the foundation like the education of our students that will nourish their future growth. The trunk is that strong structure that will support them through their life as they branch out from their school life. It was a theme that our Environment Captain, Imogen, took up well in her Legacy Gift speech at the Final Year 12 Assembly the next day.

In an extended recess on Tuesday, staff and Year 12 students enjoyed a morning tea together in the staff room. It was a good opportunity for staff and students to mingle indicating the changing relationship as our students begin their transition away from school and into adult life.

The final day on Wednesday was marked with House Assemblies in Period 2 where House Leaders, Learning Advisors and Tutor Groups gave moving farewells to the Year 12 students. The Campus Assembly at 11.30am was attended by over 140 parents and family members joining us to celebrate with the graduands. It certainly added to the atmosphere and has been pleasing to see the increased parent participation in the life of the College.

The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Award was presented to Rutendo Pasura at Year 10 and Emma Pocock at Year 12 by Lieutenant Zachary Sue from the Royal Australian Artillery based at Puckapunyal. Both these students have shown the qualities of leadership, teamwork, problem solving, resourcefulness, communication, co-operation and community involvement over the years particularly through their work in the SRC and in Emma’s case as Social Justice Captain.

The other students who were nominated for the award were:

Year 10: Jok Jok, Dyllan Lalouette, Tiana Sluka, Joshua Bennett, Brendon Quintal

Year 12: Mitchell Tharle, Chloe Stone, Makenzie Gardner, Brandon Smith, Alyssa Di Nuzzo, Cameron Angus, Celeste Hill.

Mrs Marlene Jorgensen then presented the Caltex All Rounder Award. For over 30 years this award has been presented to Year 12 students in Australian schools. Students are expected to excel in most of the following categories:

Academic – achieves scholastically across a range of subjects
Attitude – willing to help others; makes selfless contributions
Personal conduct – exemplary at all times
Leadership – a role model for other students
Service – participates in school and community activities
Sport – represents the school without necessarily being a champion
Arts – participates enthusiastically in the cultural and artistic life of the school

A most worthy winner this year was Alyssa Di Nuzzo who was a 2017 MacKillop House Captain and an enthusiastic member of the Environment Group. She is an accomplished student who consistently performs well academically and also produces artwork of a high quality. She participated in the school’s HALO (high achievers) program, SIS Performing Arts, and helped with the running of the St Agatha’s Retreat. She has been a wonderful role model for other students through her positive behaviour.

Other Year 12 students nominated for this award were:

Kira May, Ivka Juric, Chloe Stone, Lachlan Harris, Brooklyn Faamusili, Cameron Angus, Celeste Hill, Brooke Rackham.

After the awards, our Principal Mr Black addressed the parents and students and then our College Captains responded. They expressed deep appreciation towards their peers for the support that they had received throughout the year. Particularly touching was the jar of lollies that Brooklyn and Cambell gave to all Year 12s as a thank you gift. The message written on the jars wishing that the future of each student would be as colourful and sweet as the treats was thoughtful.

The Year 12 video produced was entertaining and a credit to the hard work of Kobe Souvannasing. A particularly entertaining section was Marian Houses’ “abduction” of Ms Cathy Michael (MacKillop House Leader) and subsequent theft of the McGuigan Shield. The Mission Impossible soundtrack combined with the acting skills of Ms Michael may yet see this short film do well at the Cannes Film Festival, if not the Oscars!

The assembly was enhanced by the beautiful singing of a number of our students, including Celeste Hill, Kira May, Isabelle Hamilton, Brooklyn Faamausili and Jade Thomas. This must have inspired the rest of the cohort as we had one of the more impressive final renditions of Be Not Afraid for many years. With the final bell rung and students showered with confetti, our graduating students processed out of the hall and to a BBQ shared with family and peers.

The Graduation Mass at 6 pm was a very moving liturgy, involving a homily from an animated Fr Joseph and a beautiful candle ceremony after communion. Students prayed together as graduands holding their symbol of the light of Christ. Then staff prayed a blessing over the graduating class of 2018.

The final part of a busy and exhausting day was the Valedictory Dinner at the Cranbourne Racecourse. The event was well attended with 110 students joined by their closest family members celebrating with a 3 course meal. Speeches wishing our students well were given by Assisi House Leader, Mr Peter Brannan and parent representative Mrs Carmen Pocock thanked the school for its ability to tailor an education to the student. Mr Black thanked parents for entrusting us with the care of their children and then announced the Valedictorian Medal to Ms Melissa Faulkner for her outstanding contribution to St Peter’s over the last 16 years.

All students were then called by name and presented with a small gift to thank and acknowledge their contribution to the College. The evening finished with some great conversation and some even more impressive dancing.

It was pleasing to listen to so many students throughout the night comment on what a memorable celebration this last day had been for them, but most importantly, what the teachers of St Peter’s had meant to them. It is these experiences that remind teachers that we really do have the best job in the world and the privilege of working with youth. A great reflection as we celebrate Teacher’s Day on Friday 26 October.

And so I say to the graduating class of 2018, “Be Not Afraid” so that you may be inspired make the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson your own:

“Do not follow where the path may lead.

Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail."

Mr David Hansen

Deputy Principal - West Campus