At the Celebration of Learning evening earlier this month, I was asked to speak about the achievements of the Year 9 students this year. This is the speech that was read on the evening. Whether families were able to attend the evening or not, the message is applicable to all the Year 9 students for it is a summation of their achievements throughout 2024.

I was asked to speak about the achievements of the year, and it struck me in how many different ways the students have achieved.

I stand before you this evening acknowledging the pride I experienced every school assembly, Mass, or liturgy for on every occasion there was a Year 9 student who was involved in the event. This achievement is not recognised on an assessment task result yet speaks so highly of the individual. To stand in front of the school is no easy feat at any age and to do so is an achievement that at times appears to go unrecognised. May I, this evening, if I did not acknowledge the students on the day or any day following the event, acknowledge and thank each of the Year 9 students who did volunteer and who represented the year level so well.

Additionally, whenever Mrs Clark shared photos with me after a sporting event or a Duke of Ed camp, again that pride surged through me. The smile on the students faces told the story. The students of Year 9 represented the year level with their sporting prowess, their teamwork and their support of each other in a manner that spoke volumes about their characters. We may not have always come home with a first place medal or MVP, but the students were winners on the day regardless of the final standings on any ladder.

Participation in, and I am only listing a few: the Ration Challenge, the Vinnies Sleepout, Bandana Day, the Year 12 final assembly, the various committees, leadership roles, Brigidine Day, the Swimming and Aths Carnivals, BRIDGES camp, the social, Open Days, NAPLAN, Kilbreda Festival, Mother’s and Father’s Day Breakfasts, House Cross Country or the walk for refugees, Frozen JR the musical (and boy did the Year 9s star), the Visual Arts, Design and Technology Exhibition, and music, music, music with all the choirs, ensembles in this area as well – the achievement is the participation. The achievement is the courage to put yourself forward and to have a go. The achievements in all these areas have been extraordinary.

And yet, I have not even touched on the academic achievements. For a school is more than academic achievements and it is a night like this evening which allows me to remind the students that they are and always will be more than any test result. An academic result is an achievement, completing the task is an achievement, but you will never be remembered for the mark you achieved on the day of the task, but you will be remembered for everything you brought with you, and shared, every day before and every day after the task. It has often been said, you will be remembered for your character strengths, your humility, compassion, kindness, perseverance, courage and willingness to learn. This is what you will be remembered for along with your beautiful smiles.

The one achievement though that I believe is overlooked, is the achievement to attend school each day. To arrive at school with a smile, showing respect to me – that never went unnoticed. Through the eyes of the old timer, trying to put a wise head on young shoulders, never underestimate what constitutes as an achievement. Your world is unrelenting, the pressures are immense; the world in which we live in now being available to us 24/7, means that you do not necessarily have the opportunity to switch off, to disconnect, to relax and just to be. For me, the fact that you do come to school, you do put your best foot forward and you do your best, is one of the greatest achievements you reach daily.

As we have walked along with the characters from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, may I conclude with three excerpts from the book:

“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy.

“Help”, said the horse.

“When have you been at your strongest?” asked the boy.

“When I have dared to show my weakness.”

“Asking for help isn’t giving up,” said the horse.

“It’s refusing to give up.”

“Sometimes,” said the horse.

“Sometimes what?” asked the boy.

“Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent.”

“We have such a long way to go,” sighed the boy.

“Yes, but look how far we’ve come”, said the horse.

Year 9s of 2024, look how far you have come!

Jane Cowan

Level Leader: Year 9