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 senior students to be able to stand before audiences that can number 600 at times and reflect upon their 8 years of 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. Eleni Floros is one of our 2020 graduates, who has attended our school since Year 3 and is an outstanding example of the powerful learners we are all working to support.

Eleni Floros - Year 7 Graduate Speech

Good morning parents, students and staff and to anyone that is watching via the online stream especially my grandparents. My name is Eleni Floros and I am one of the senior students that will be graduating later this Term, how exciting!

I am 13 years old and I live at home with my mum, dad and my three other siblings. Nia in

Year 3, Kosta in Year 6 and my older sister Paris who graduated last year and now attends

Adelaide high school.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a senior leader this year and I think it's great that we get the opportunity to lead in different ways. I have contributed through a number of specific jobs, during Term 1 I was in the chair crew where we had to organise the chairs for a few assemblies (this was obviously cut short) and I was also in the paper recycling team. I doubled up on both of these jobs during Term 2 because we didn't have many opportunities to perform each responsibility. I switched it up during Term 3 as I was a library monitor as well as being a loose parts member. Finally, I am now a 10c Recycling monitor with a few of my friends.

My hobbies outside of school include playing soccer for West Adelaide, going for long walks

and adventures with my family and hanging out with friends. Some subjects that I enjoy include HASS as I like learning about our past and also English because I like learning about new ways to write and the different vocabulary is interesting.

I've only been here for 4 years and I have had the opportunity to make best friends and to create many memorable moments which include all the camps that I have luckily been on, specifically the year 5,6 camp to Sovereign Hill and the year 7 camp this year.

I've also had the opportunity to participate in the knockout soccer tournament for 3 years and Underdale Cup for one year. All the Sports Days have been really fun so far and I am looking forward to this year's as it will be my last and as an added bonus I was lucky enough to be awarded one of the Grallina Captain positions. Hopefully, we can bring it back to Grallina!

I find it difficult to only name a few people that have influenced me as a learner, because there have been many people over the years from both school and outside of school that have helped shape me. However, some people that have influenced me the most would have to be Ms Sonja and Mr Tarleton because they both taught me many things that I didn't know, and they each gave me countless opportunities to lead out which has helped build my confidence. Mr Starr and Ms Martin, you have helped me finish my final year at primary school in the best way that it could've been, it's been so fun!

Most of all I want to acknowledge my family, I love you all very much, thanks for never giving up on me and for always supporting me with everything I do. Mum and dad 2020 has been a tough year for everyone all over the world and you have taught me to always look at the bright side of every situation and to keep on going no matter how hard it seems.

Next year I will be attending Adelaide high school with a few of my friends and my sister.

I'm sad to be leaving behind some amazing memories but I'm excited to experience new opportunities in my life. When I'm older I hope to follow my dreams and become a Lawyer.

Now it is time to give my advice to future graduates and that is to take on all feedback

because it will always help your learning in the future. Accept it, act on it and improve.