If our lives were sign-posted by significant events, graduating from school would certainly be one of those sign-posts. It was a joy to celebrate with our Year 12 Class of 2025 at their Graduation Ceremony on the final day of Term 3, marking the end of their thirteen years of schooling. As the students walked along familiar corridors under the festive canopy of balloons, there were very few dry eyes amongst the students, their families and staff members.
Mrs Lee, Head of Senior School, welcomed guests and introduced Mr Honor, Principal, who acknowledged the importance of this day for our students who have spent 75% of their lives at School. Mr Honor reflected on the laughter and tears at the Final Chapel service, where students looked resplendent in blazers in reverse and shared how they saw themselves in ten years’ time. With many changes ahead for the students, Mr Honor encouraged them with the biblical truth that in times of change, Jesus stays the same and is our anchor. He urged the students to keep their eyes on their soul and reminded them that in life it is not just what they do, but who they are, that truly matters.
Eighteen members of the 2025 cohort attended SGCS from Kindergarten and it was touching to see six current Kindergarten students bravely take to the stage to present these students with a gift. Following this presentation, the portfolios and awards were presented, highlighting the many achievements and hard work of our students. Congratulations to Tiffany D who was awarded Dux of 2025!
Mrs Rene Merritt and Mr Mathew Cocking, who served as Year Advisers to Year 12, spoke with affection and wisdom to the students. Mrs Merritt encouraged the students to persevere when life becomes stressful and to not give up. She spoke warmly of the future when these young men and women will be nurses, teachers, lawyers, etc., who will make a huge impact and contribution to the world. She quoted Lao Tzu: ‘Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.’ Mr Cocking gave a final word of encouragement from Matthew 16:24 ‘Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
School Captains, Sophie Chew and Jesaiah Creek, spoke eloquently and meaningfully, which was a fitting end to their time serving as student leaders. Sophie spoke affectionately about advocating to wash the timber workshop aprons and, more seriously, encouraged her classmates to rely on Jesus when they face challenges. She reminded them of Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ Jesaiah thanked his cohort, teachers and parents, likening their invaluable contributions to the lives of Year 12 to the rules of flight: lift, thrust and direction. He spoke thoughtfully of the way his cohort have grown up together, and the way every face brings back a memory. Jesaiah quoted Steve Jobs: ‘You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something…’ He concluded that it is only God who connects the dots looking forward.
We wish our Year 12 Class of 2025 every success in their HSC written exams and a future beyond the walls of SGCS anchored in the love of Jesus, trusting in an all-knowing, and eternally loving God, who will always connect the dots.
