2025 Laureate Presentation
18/02/2025The 2025 Laureate Presentation was held on Tuesday 11 February at the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct at Coolock following the Opening Mass. It was attended by the entire College as well as special guests.
Recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements of our senior students, including those of the Graduating Class of 2024, showcases their accomplishments and inspires all students to strive to be their very best.
Students and families witnessed many of our graduates and current Year 12 students receive recognition for their outstanding achievements in their VCE Units 3 & 4, VCE Vocational Major and leadership.
The winners of the Term 4 2024 Spirit of Catherine Awards for Year 12, Charlotte Teed and Oliver Sexton, were announced before the presentation of the 2024 Subject Dux awards.
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching, Mrs Gina Giblin congratulated the Class of 2024 on their outstanding results and noted that the College was proud of their collective achievements.
Of note was Jaxon Mullane whose outstanding result included Subject Dux of English Language, Indonesian, Legal Studies, General Mathematics and Mathematical Methods.
Two students have been selected for the VCE Season of Excellence: Top Class – Oliver Sexton for Drama and Top Designs – Caleb Tobin for Systems Engineering.
We were excited to welcome back past student Leila Gurruwiwi from the Class of 2005. Leila is a successful media commentator and panel member of the Marngrook Footy Show and has worked on television programs The Secret River and Glitch. She also works in education, supporting Indigenous students in schools.
Leila shared memories of her school days with the students, remembering that she made lifelong friends here. She described herself as “painfully shy” in Year 7 and confessed she never would have imagined being able to stand in front of the whole school one day and talk!
Over the years she has worked to overcome her shyness and gain confidence. She stressed the importance of having “people in your life who keep you grounded”. She encouraged the students to “say yes to opportunities”, to “do things that fill your cup” and to “be of service to yourself and your classmates”.
We look forward to welcoming Leila back later in the year when the Class of 2005 celebrate their 20-Year Reunion.
Following Leila’s address, the presentation moved on to Special Awards and Scholarships. The Australian Defence Force Long Tan Awards were awarded to Jack McMahon – Youth Leadership Award and Flynn Saunder – Future Innovators Award.
The Art Acquisition Award was granted to Audrey Grose for her painting ‘Dad and his mates waiting to catch fish Lake Dwar, 2024’. The JRS Award, donated by Marcia King, a past student and professional artist, is named in honour of former art teachers Josie Lowerson, Rhonda Alexander and Sharon Cruise. This 2024 recipient was Mitchell Zanatta.
The 2024 College Dux, Harry Johnson was recognised at the Laureate Presentation for his outstanding ATAR of 99.2. While Harry could not be present at the ceremony – he has already moved to Canberra to study science at the Australian National University – he recorded a message for the College community.
In his message, he thanked his teachers for their support, particularly one who gave him wise advice in Year 7 about how quickly time at school would pass. Now he has wise advice of his own to pass on which is to set goals, and aim high but “don’t put too much pressure on yourself”. He found that by finding a balance of sporting, social and academic life, he worked more efficiently and didn’t become stressed.
In parting words that were not dissimilar to the message of Leila Gurruwiwi, Harry urged the students to make time for “the things that brought them joy” to be happy and more effective in their studies.
The final award of the Laureate Presentation was the Mercy Award, which fosters leadership in the Mercy tradition. The 2024 recipient was 2024 College Captain, Jack McMahon.
In closing, Executive Deputy Principal Staff and Administration, Mr Frank Dullard congratulated the Class of 2024 for the incredible mark they left on our College community. He drew attention to their ATAR scores, with over 16% of students achieving above 80 and 5.3% of study scores exceeding 40.
He said, “These numbers represent countless hours of dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence.”
He encouraged the current students to be inspired by the example of leadership, service and academic dedication demonstrated through the awards.
“They represent not just individual success, but the potential that lies within each of you. The bar has been set high, but remember that excellence is not about competing with others – it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.”
