2009 Year 12s
20091013 Tuesday 13 October 2009
The 2009 Haileybury Year 12 cohort will graduate on Wednesday 21 October (Girls) and Thursday 22 October (Boys). The graduation ceremonies are the culmination of what, for some students, has been 15 years of Haileybury education.
The students will enjoy a range of activities put on by staff during their last few days at School. This includes the popular student and staff revue. The Graduation ceremonies are followed by Valedictory Dinners at which three valedictorians for each of the boys and girls will propose a toast respectively to the parents, the School and the staff. A staff member – unknown to all but me – then proposes the toast to the students. Students have already enjoyed their final House dinners with their Heads of House, Tutors and families.
This Year 12 cohort is a fine group of young people. I realise you would expect me to say this every year! However, they have consistently demonstrated their support for each other. This was most evident in the way the peer group responded following the tragic loss of Andrew Mulligan early in the year.
They have shown respect for the School. School events including plays, musicals and concert nights have been well-supported by the Year 12s and assemblies have been a delight as they have acknowledged the great work of fellow students.
They have demonstrated a capacity for hard work. A number of long-serving staff have commented to me how the recent two-week holiday period (never a holiday for Senior School staff and Year 12 students) was the busiest they can remember, with most students attending additional classes and revision sessions.
They have demonstrated support for the concept of community and a global awareness. Students rallied to raise over $25,000 for the bushfire appeal. They have also strongly supported the whole school charity, The Oaktree Foundation, which provides educational support in countries where it is most needed. A number of students have indicated a desire to continue to work with the Foundation when they leave school.
Over 350 students will graduate from Haileybury this year and I am confident that they will be good citizens and will make their mark on society.
Derek Scott
Principal
