As Term 3 comes to a close another set of students is about to graduate from Hills Grammar. Each graduating class is remembered for different reasons but invariably each possesses many of the qualities we endeavour to nurture in our students. In particular, the Class of 2016 will be remembered, in their own words, as being; ‘dramatic, competitive, exciting, hardworking, worldly, full of grace, unique, fantastic, talented and friendly’. The individuals that make up the Class of 2016 are all these things and so much more and we have been honored to have such an exceptional group of students lead, contribute and enrich our school community.
On Wednesday 21 September 2016 at 10.30am we will gather in the Multi-Purpose Hall for the Year 12 Graduation Assembly and Presentation of Awards, acknowledging their achievements, leadership and contribution to school life. At the Graduation Assembly each student will be presented to the Chair of School Council, Mr Charles Denes and will receive a special graduation folder to mark the successful completion of their schooling. Students who have excelled in the academic program will also be acknowledged in the presentation of subject awards. As part of the tradition, each Year 12 student is presented with a posy of flowers by a Kindergarten student and then escorted off the stage symbolising their completion of thirteen years of schooling.
In 2016 we will also celebrate the educational journey of nineteen students who commenced their schooling at Hills Grammar as Kindergarten students. Also part of our tradition, these students will be receiving the School Medallion which is presented to them by their Kindergarten teacher. I congratulate Nicola Badenhorst, Mark Bourke, Sophie Bryant, Anna Coote, Rose Fuggle, Lily Greenhalgh, Karl Jammal, Michael Lowe, Jacqueline Brown, Oliver Swallow, Guy Gallagher, Caitlyn Hoffmann, Bailey Johnson, Brooke Langham, Karl Martin, Laura Murray, Harry Rowston, Shabna Wijeyasiri and Teah Zlatar on completing all of their schooling at Hills Grammar.
The assembly will also allow our retiring school captains to give their final address to the gathered and in so doing enable them, on behalf of their peers, to reflect upon their time as Hills Grammarians. It would be remiss of me not to thank and mention the significant contribution of our student leaders; Captains Anna Coote and Cooper Lee and Vice-Captains Isabel Tegel and Patrick Corrigan who have displayed exemplary enthusiasm, friendship, leadership, service and humility as leaders of Year 12 and the School.
The Graduation Assembly is always a special occasion, made particularly so by the presence of staff, our Year 12 parents and family members, and the students from Kindergarten and Years 6 to 11. Year 12 and their parents will also gather, with staff and School Council members, at the Class of 2016 Valedictory Dinner on Thursday evening 22 September. This likewise is a wonderful occasion and an appropriate way for us to celebrate and thank our graduates.
I am confident that Year 12 are ready to face the challenges of the Higher School Certificate and that they will continue to contribute as they take their place in communities beyond ‘Hills’, which in turn will be better for their commitment, passion, talent, participation and involvement. We trust that the seeds of some of their qualities of character and tremendous potential and talent were planted, fed and nurtured whilst students of Hills Grammar.
Our task therefore is almost done. We look forward to hearing of, and celebrating the numerous exciting pathways the Class of 2016 will no doubt travel. We extend to all Year 12 every best wish for their immediate and long term futures.
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