International Students

Farewell to our Year 12 Students

As the senior year of our time as Northcote High School international students came to an end, we were welcomed warmly to a banquet at Jade Restaurant in Kew, celebrating not only our achievements, but also the friendships we have forged with each other and the teachers who have been with us every step of the journey. 

The VCE exams are finally over and the farewell dinner was a perfect opportunity for international students to celebrate the end of one whole year of constant hard work. It is acknowledged that the experience of studying, and then taking exams during the COVID-19 pandemic, away from our homes at that, was not at all easy. However, with the help of many friends, teachers and our own resilience, we have managed to pull through. Seeing people’s faces as they smiled and laughed at memories they have made throughout the year and beyond, filled us with joy, knowing that we have accomplished something truly amazing. 

The food was delicious, and Jade Restaurant provided us with an amazing environment to share our memories as a special group of international students, together with teaching and office staff. International Student Captains Samuel Tran and Ivy Nguyen both gave heart-warming accounts, congratulating our efforts and wishing us good luck in the future. The dinner was also an opportunity to celebrate many students’ birthdays. Some are turning 18, some 19, but every single one of them is walking through a door to many new responsibilities, opportunities and challenges as high school graduates and adults.  

The experience was made complete with attendance of our amazing teachers and staff members who have helped us throughout the year. Principal Chris Jones, despite not having been acquainted with us for long, gave a speech and shared a special moment with the students, who were very grateful. The students were able show their gratitude to the beloved teaching and office staff with many positive messages and gifts, signaling the forgiveness of every mistake we have made as their students. 

In closing, I would, again, on behalf of all Year 12 international students at Northcote High School, sincerely thank the school for giving us the special chance to celebrate our achievements and memories together with our friends and teachers. It is also to note that the dinner might be a farewell to our time as high school international students but it is not the end of the friendships among ourselves and with our beloved teachers. 

~ Gigi Le  Year 12