Farewell Year 12 Class of 2024

The Class of 2024 gathered on Wednesday 23 October to celebrate an emotion-packed final day of formal school.

Activities commenced with an early breakfast shared with teachers, before one final gathering in Student Advocate Groups. St Mary’s students were joined by the Coolock cohort in a farewell assembly in the Marian Centre.

As students, parents, guests and staff took their seats, the traditional Year 7 and Year 12 photo presentation featured on the screen. The Year 12 Captains and leaders led the assembly which included an Acknowledgement of Country, prayers and speeches. Highlights of the assembly were performances by our Musicians of the Year,  Liam Truscott (Year 12) and Elyssa Bhowon (Year 9).

College Captains, Ella Hargreaves and Jack McMahon gave heartfelt speeches reflecting on the past six years, “As a cohort, we’ve truly become a school family” while acknowledging the “friendships that lasted two years of barely seeing each other throughout COVID”. They thanked their fellow students as well as staff for the opportunity to lead the College and for the support they were given.

The Year 12 Student Leadership Team for 2025 was announced by Acting Principal, Mr Frank Dullard, with the current leaders handing over symbols of their roles to the new leaders. (Read more about 2025 Captains)

MacKillop House was announced as the winner of the House Cup for 2024, with Captain Daniel Noden giving a rousing speech.

In appreciation of the Year 12 Class of 2024, Year 7 Captains Indie Kramer and Kiara Dhaka gave a blessing to the Class of 2024 and Mrs Suzie Kemp, Assistant Principal Campus Leader at St Mary’s, gave the address, finishing with “We are so proud of you. You have left an indelible mark on our College and we know that wherever you go, whatever you do, you will carry the values of Catherine McAuley with you. Your future is bright and, while we will miss you, we are excited to see all that you will achieve . . . Go forward with confidence, knowing that you have the strength, wisdom and integrity to face whatever comes your way. And always remember – you will always be a part of this community. We wish you all the best for your futures. Congratulations, and good luck!”

After treating the audience to their energetic version of Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’, the Year 12s processed out through the assembled school community to a long round of applause and Queen’s ‘Don’t Stop Me Now, a “song that holds a place in our cohort’s heart as it reminds us to never stop being ourselves in any circumstance”.

Afterwards, proud parents were on hand to share the emotional moments and celebration before students left to commence preparing for exams which begin next week.

While the exam weeks will undoubtedly present challenges and stress, before long the Class of 2024 will gather again for the Graduation Mass and Celebration on 21 November. Meanwhile, we wish all our Year 12s every success in the next few weeks, as well as the years ahead.