Illalong Newsletter 19 November 2021

Farewell to the Graduating Class of 2021

This week at the College we witnessed our Year 12 cohort experience their final days of schooling; sharing memories and feelings of excitement, anticipation and sadness. Now that all of the external examinations were complete, the students could relax, celebrate their achievements and look back on the fond memories they have of their time at the College. The Year 12 Area and CLC have been buzzing with lively conversations, sharing of memories and lots of song practice – including breaking into the College song numerous times! Across the College emotional farewells took place; in buddy classes, homerooms and farewelling teachers who have been an integral part of the lives of the 106 incredible students in this cohort.

The achievements of all students were celebrated during the virtual Speech Night event, and as the week progressed more and more tears flowed as the students said goodbye to their home rooms and houses in the final assemblies. The Year 12 Pool Party is always a highlight and students enjoyed coming together for one last time to socialise, relax and enjoy each other’s company over a pizza lunch. The ice-cream van was very well-received and thanks must be given to the Friends of A.B. Paterson College for providing this delicious treat!

On the morning of Valedictory, the Year 12 cohort shared emotional farewells over a breakfast of coffee and cronuts together in the Rickard Courtyard. The atmosphere was thick with emotion; excitement for what lay ahead and sadness for departing what would have been a second home for many students for almost 13 years. It was a whole day celebration where staff, families and students mixed in a wonderful social atmosphere, reminiscing about memorable classroom lessons and co-curricular activities, embellishing camp stories and taking pictures capturing this special day. We were so fortunate to all be able to come together as a community on this day and farewell our graduating Class of 2021.

This evening, we celebrate with the Year 12 graduating cohort and their families. The Valedictory Dinner is an opportunity for students, parents and staff to come together to celebrate the achievements of this outstanding group of Year 12 students and to commemorate their graduation from the College. It is also a chance for us to reflect on the incredible journey each student has had since commencing at the College, whether it be at the ECC or in Grade 11, and to celebrate these past events and achievements.

As the Class of 2021 graduate from the College on this day, they are no longer students of the College, but have joined the ranks of Old Collegians. We look forward to meeting with them in the future and hearing the amazing stories of their experiences and achievements.

Charlotte Brook
Head of Senior School

Term 4 Fun, Formalities and Farewells

Term 4 in any school year is action packed and this year has been no different! In the past 7 weeks we have seen select students participate in the Public Speaking Competition and the P-3 Mini Olympics, Junior School students bought up big at the Scholastic Book Fair, and our Year 9 students successfully navigated the new Higher Ground Camp… wow, and, there are still 2 weeks to go!

One of the stand out events for this week was the Mackellar-Wright House fundraising Novelty Run. The purpose of this event being to bring our community together to do something fun to farewell our Year 12 students whilst we support the work of our partner charities: Orange Sky Laundry, The Salvation Army, and The Wesley Mission Youngcare Apartments Coomera. To see the smiles and hear the laughter of not just our youngest students, but our eldest, was a true gift and worth the efforts of all staff across the College who worked tirelessly to bring this event to life for our students.

On Wednesday evening we acknowledged the work habits, and achievements of our students with the release of our Virtual Speech Night, and whilst a virtual event is not our preferred method of delivery, the acknowledgement of our students is extremely important. In 2022, we are hoping to see a return of Speech Night onsite in all its glory! Congratulations to our Major Prize winners and Year Level awardees. For families unable to watch on the night, the virtual event can be accessed via the D2L Junior Daily 2021 and Senior Daily 2021 pages.

This morning we farewelled the 2021 Year 12 students at our annual Valedictory Assembly and, like every year, this is a bittersweet moment. I, along with the Year 12 teachers, had the pleasure of working with our 2021 Year 12s one last time on Wednesday afternoon and I must confess, I am continually amazed at their capacity for empathy and action.

When I reflect on the year that was for these young men and women, who started the year with the quote from The Lion King, It’s important to always look where you’re headed, rather than where you were… I find myself wondering what the future has in store for such an inspiring group of young people. My wish for them being to continue to challenge themselves to achieve and to act with purpose and character well into the next chapter of their lives. The academic content, and the life lessons that the students take with them from the College are sure to set them up for where they are headed.

Continue to look forward, as Dr. Seuss says,

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

Go well, class of 2021!!!

Toni Kirton
Director of Positive Education and Leadership