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2024 Valedictory Assembly Principal’s Speech

Good morning Fr Oreste and Fr Brian, graduating class, students and staff,

St John Bosco said:

“Let’s go on as we have done so far and leave everything in God’s hands. He will let us know when to change course.”

Today we celebrate the Class of 2024, an important rite of passage that hopes to encapsulate the achievements of our senior students.

Acknowledgement to Country

I begin by acknowledging the First Peoples and the Traditional Owners and custodians of the Country, the Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nation. I respectfully acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging and remember that they have passed on their wisdom to us

Year 12 Farewell

Today I am going to share with you a story that depicts why I value our Year 12 assembly and valedictory mass and dinner. I provide a warning to those who have been impacted by family illness.

I introduce two strong yet kind compassionate woman – Mary Bennett and Barbara June.

Mary didn’t work as such but was a dressmaker and an extremely good cook. Her devoted husband was a motor mechanic after he returned from war.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39 and died at 42.

Barbara was in Year 10 when her mother first became ill. Her mum was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the symptoms emerged. The focus of school and a commitment to study became challenging as the emotional toll grew and care was required in the home.

Barbara didn’t get the opportunity to finish school, choosing to care for her mother and do alternate courses before entering the work force. Her dream to become a nurse changed due to her commitment to family brought on by her mother’s illness.

There was no assembly nor valedictory celebrations with family, peers or teachers.

Our Year 12 students are filled with hope, optimism and excitement as 13 years of school concludes today.

Feelings of apprehension leaving our Salesian home or the separation from friends is evident. Nostalgia has emerged as individuals and the cohort look back or do things for the final time. A conversation between Year 12s and Dr Barclay last week highlighted Salesian is a home that welcomes, a place of belonging. A Year 12 responding to his end of journey said quite candidly and spontaneously, “Can’t I just go back to Year 7? I don’t want to leave.” His mates were of a similar mind.

Upcoming examinations naturally present anxiety or worry. At university I learnt that “Proper prior preparation prevents poor performance”. Exam questions are unknown yet our Year 12s will take great confidence due to their work ethic and the support of our wonderful teachers.

I am confident that the work that has and will be done in coming days and weeks will serve our students well for their written, performance and oral examinations.

Our hope is that you work hard in preparation to achieve your personal best until the end of your Salesian studies.

Every senior student has a different journey.

This was the case for Barbara. Trusting in God and knowing when to change course worked for her despite a challenging time.

Regardless of how you have reached this final pinnacle we are proud of each of you for your commitment to the College and persistence to achieve your goals.

An opportunity lost is an opportunity gained. Barbara went on to successfully navigate a career in administration in the car industry and later education where she served for ? years. She was able to instil in her own children the importance of education and commitment to graduate from school. I am fortunate that my mum, that is Barbara, emphasised and supported me to achieve my Year 12 SACE certificate. It was a proud day for Barbara and our family and the ceremony had greater meaning due to her own experience.

“Let’s go on as we have done so far and leave everything in God’s hands. He will let us know when to change course.”

Achieving one’s VCE Certificate is more common today than in the past. This is a good thing.

The final days of school are an important rite of passage for all young people.

I know there are some students in this cohort who will be the first in their family to graduate at Year 12. This is an almighty achievement and not to be underestimated. Congratulations to these boys.

There is a Year 13 graduate due to personal health challenges. We are proud of you James.

Our VCE unscored students each have their own story yet they adapted to adversity and reassessed their goals to be here today, graduating with their peers and having meaningful opportunities that await.

I had the privilege last week to interview our VCE applied learning students. I was moved by the courage and tenacity of these students as they shared their learning as well as their goals and plans for study or work in chosen trades and small business in the future.

Within the VCE cohort there are students who have achieved great success. Others have had learning issues, health concerns or family matters to contend.

For the graduating class, reflecting on your journey and taking responsibility will help you gain confidence, courage to step into the present and become happy as you gain fulfilment in meaningful achievements that connect you to others.

In 1824, a 9-year old Giovanni Bosco had a dream, as our 2024 Strenna, “The dream that makes you dream” references.

Our Lady Help of Christians illuminated Don Bosco’s future in this 9-year-old dream. She returned to comfort and advise him in countless ways—in dreams, in miracles, and graces, which he worked by praying to her. Our Lady is everything for Don Bosco; and I encourage our graduates who want to acquire the spirit of Don Bosco must imitate him in this devotion.

We too can dream, under the guidance of Mary, to be strong, persevere and be humble as we build a relationship with God. These dreams, these encounters with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, will lead us all to be gentle, to be kind, to experience joy and be filled with happiness.

Finding purpose, meaning, and identity through your faith is important to foster as you navigate your studies, extra-curricular pursuits and relationships.

Our Class of 2024 have been open to the faith journey and have exhibited attributes that Don Bosco encouraged for his boys in the first Oratory – prayer, study, be happy, and be kind to others.

There are many stories of Don Bosco dealing with uncertainty and how he overcame challenges this through prayer – forming the first Oratory, finding a home for boys at Valdocco, building the Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù in Rome with no money. In each circumstance Bosco turned to Our Lady Help of Christians and Jesus Christ to achieve his goals.

“Let’s go on as we have done so far and leave everything in God’s hands. He will let us know when to change course.”

Our Year 12s can also turn to Our Lady Help of Christians and Jesus Christ to achieve their goals in coming weeks as you embark on exams and transition from secondary school.

To our Class of 2024, thank you for bringing joy and dynamism to our classrooms, corridors, yard, theatres and fields.

I will remember your openness to welcome all, being kind, leading with compassion, your friendliness and the commitment to the College as endearing characteristics.

Our Year 12s have been wonderful role models by focussing on their faith, relationships, studies and community.

Let me share how our Year 12s have responded as leaders in our community.

  • The friendly greeting in the top yard, often leading with a smile.
  • Standing in solidarity with a peer who has lost a loved one.
  • Supporting a class mate who is ill with care, check ins and sharing class resources.
  • Respectfully discussing how learning and teaching can be improved with a teacher.
  • Leading community events such as breakfasts, public speaking, music events, sports awards and assemblies.
  • Demonstrating care and support for staff.
  • Being a tour guide or time and space ambassador.
  • Implementing changes to the faith, study or wellbeing aspects of the Oratory program.
  • Unwavering support for the Year level Leader and Oratory Teachers.
  • Advocacy and fundraising for those vulnerable in our community, locally and abroad.
  • Sitting with a student who is on his own in the yard and connecting him to others.
  • Leading and participating in prayer and liturgy.

Numerous of staff described our Year 12s as an amazing group of students they have taught due to your friendliness, enthusiasm, respect, tenacity and outlook to improving the community. You have welcomed and included others in our community through kindness and care for other people. At the same time, you have dedicated yourself to your studies, working hard to achieve your best.

The legacy of our Year 12s is that they have created a culture where loving kindness is evident to all those you meet.

Student voice to extend the hours in the Rua Resource Centre will have a lasting impact on future senior students. Wellbeing initiatives in Oratory, leadership mentoring other students, generating House spirit, and a focus on the environment will also be attributed to this group of students. Highlights include students leading assemblies, academic captain contributions at our subject selection expo, and leadership during house activities.

I have enjoyed the creativity our students have brought to their learning It has been very enjoyable to see our students on stage in VCE music recitals, the collaborations with Avila and Sacred Heart College for the SMASH music evening and on stage in the Production and VCE Theatre Studies play, and the Visual Arts and Technology Show.

Sport continues to evolve at the college with strong performances in Division 1 championship sports of Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country. There were many individual efforts in Athletics and Swimming and the Soccer B team made the grand final.

The class of 2024 has added to our rich Salesian story having emulated the feats of the many who have gone before them. Thank you.

Our student leaders have been wonderful role models demonstrating support and insight.

A special thanks to Ben, Dylan and James and the Year 12 leaders for their outstanding leadership and role modelling the College values of respect, belonging, integrity, joy and dynamism.

Student Leaders 2025

Congratulations to our 2025 student leaders Andrew, Jack and Alvin in their senior captain roles. I am confident that they will lead the community with love, compassion, respect and joy.

The weekend Gospel reading from Mark 10:43-45 is a reminder that these leaders and all of us are called to be servants.

“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus takes the opportunity to tell the disciples that real greatness in the Kingdom of God lies in self-sacrificing service to humanity. Authority among the people of Christ is always to be at the service of and for the benefit of others. Disciples are called to be servants.

I pray that each student can gain strength from Our Lady Help of Christians and Don Bosco to lead our community with respect, integrity and loving kindness.

Be kind and compassionate towards one another. If we can all be role models of our College values of belonging, respect, integrity, joy and dynamism and allow these to be visible to others in our actions then we are going to have an enjoyable and successful year.

Year 12s I will leave you with a gift from St Francis De Sales who was the inspiration for Don Bosco. The same message can be found on your birthday card.

“Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.”

St Francis De Sales

Take the lessons and values learnt at Salesian and share these gifts with others in the wider community. To our Class of 2024, thank you for your contribution to our great school and best wishes for an exciting future.