Year 12 Valedictory
On Tuesday we acknowledged our Year 12 students at a Valedictory Doxology Service and Awards Ceremony held at our All Saints Church.
Our students were blessed by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, our Reverend Fathers and Academic Leaders. We thank our esteemed parents, esteemed colleagues and dearest students who joined the live stream to be part of this important commemoration that marks our Year 12 students’ journey through Primary and Secondary education.
It is a momentous occasion, a significant rite of passage.
As I drafted the thoughts that I wanted to share with our Year 12 students, I couldn’t avoid thinking of the many memories built together at All Saints Grammar. The learning that they have acquired over the last 13 years of education are only part of the story.
To our dear students, your time at our School has contributed to the development of each of you as individuals of strong character and moral values. The person you have become today – is much more than marks in your exam, the rank in your course or the ATAR that you will get early next year.
Our students are much more than that. You are a son or daughter. You are a friend. You are a citizen. You are a believer. You are a person of good morals and values. You are a learner; a person who continues to grow and develop into an ever-evolving better version of yourself.
If time teaches us anything – it is that we never stop learning and developing. You are at an early stage in that journey.
This moment in your life is just the beginning.
Time forks perpetually toward in-numerable futures. What those futures may hold for you will depend on the way you use the learning you have acquired from your teachers, your family, your Faith, your community and your culture.
It is our hope that your journey at All Saints Grammar has provided you with the tools to engage with the world in a responsible and successful manner.
It is our hope that as you walk away from your school, you take with you the strength of our Orthodox Faith, and the richness of the Hellenic traditions we have tried to instil. It is our hope, that beyond learning subject content in any of the disciplines of your studies, you take away the indelible mark of the good friendships you have developed and the networks you have built over the years.
It is our hope that as you move into the next stage of your life you continue to live by the pillars of our School, whereby, you strive for excellence in everything you do; you stay close to your Faith to provide you with a moral compass to guide you throughout your life; and live your life in a manner that embodies self-respect, respect for others, and respect for our world. These are the pillars that will sustain you and provide you with strength.
Love yourself; love your family; stay close to your Faith; be grateful for the gift of life and continue to strive to always become a better version of who you can be.
Your Eminence Archbishop Makarios, thank you for taking the time out of your very demanding schedule to join us. You made this significant event even more memorable for our students. We thank you for your spiritual guidance, words of wisdom and unwavering support.
And of course, Father Kyrillos, whose daily presence on our campus’ provides reassurance and sound advice to us all.
I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to your teachers and to your parents, whose combined efforts and trust have contributed to your development to this point. They have given you a solid foundation for you to continue to build on.
To our outgoing student leaders, thank you for being wonderful role models for the rest of the student body. In particular, I acknowledge our School Captains Deena Tzimoulas and Sylvie Tsekouras who throughout their 13 years at All Saints Grammar have represented our School with pride.
I must acknowledge our Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board, Mr Steve Rafeletos whose commitment and service to the All Saints community and especially your support of our School, is at the core of our community’s success. Finally, on behalf of the entire All Saints community, its members past and present, we would like to wish you dear Year 12 students every success for your upcoming HSC examinations.
May life bring you happiness, success, health, and above all, may you be gifted with the love of good people around you.
God Bless!
