Last week was the official end of Year 12 classes. For some doing a non scored VCE or senior VCAL this meant the end of their school days. It was a time for celebration and being grateful for what they have achieved during their time at Kilbreda.

Each of the students engaged in the formal and non formal events with maturity and a deep respect for their fellow classmates, their teachers and the College.  The week began with a formal Assembly where academic and other prestigious awards were presented and our wonderful Co-Captains made their farewell speech. Frankie and Alice have been generous with their time and have managed to achieve a cohesive year level. They always knew what was going on and I thank them for the times they had a quiet word to me about someone who they thought needed encouragement.

Emotions ran high on Tuesday as they dressed in what they aspired to be and participated in a lovely breakfast. More awards were presented and then we had the viewing of the highly anticipated Year 12 video. Many thanks to Siorcha Creaton who was the mastermind behind the piece, ably supported by Daniella Maine. They managed to capture the past six years of school life in a highly amusing montage.

Wednesday evening was an evening of celebration. The Mass enabled so many of the cohort to be involved and once again Father Peter Matheson spoke to them of remaining true to oneself by keeping the Kilbreda values strong. I was so proud seeing all of the year level collect their graduation certificates. It has been a very difficult few years and to be able to celebrate at Caulfield Racecourse was a wonderful way to finish.

I would like to thank all of the students of this group who have been with me on the journey of senior school over the past three years. They are without doubt ‘a force to be reckoned with’. They adapted to online learning, the uncertainty of being at school, then not at school, no Futures Week activities, the cancellation of the Northern Territory Immersion and a change of date for the Formal and met every challenge with a smile. They supported each other in times of great sadness and celebrated successes with joy.

My parting words on Tuesday were for them to remember that “like gold you are rare, bright, valuable, and precious. Each one of you has a special something that will carry you through.”

So farewell Year 12 go out in to that big world, make your mark and always, always stay gold!

Sue Dempster
Level Leader: Year 12