Prinicipal’s Address : Year 12 Class of 2025 Graduation Assembly
Welcome all to this assembly as we celebrate and farewell the Year 12 Class of 2025.
This assembly marks a significant moment in the lives of everyone here, but especially in the lives of the Class of 2025. It is a moment of change, fluidity, nervousness, excitement, hope and, above all, joy.
The 2025 cohort have responded to God’s call to be open to the new, to goodness, to the truth of our beliefs and, of course, beauty in all that they encounter, day to day. In other words, to be open to joy. Our symbol for 2025, the rose, and the colour pink have pointed to their understanding of beauty, love, passion and sacrifice. They have certainly enjoyed being “in the pink” this year and have connected this hue with compassion, social justice, friendship, the nurturing of others, good health, comfort, warmth, femininity, the rights of women and unconditional love.
I am certain Year 12 comprehend that life has a beautiful way of reminding us that joy often hides in places we never think to look. They know that finding joy in the unexpected is not about chasing happiness; it is about allowing it to surprise us. It lives in the moments we do not plan, the people we do not expect to meet, and the blessings that arrive quietly when we stop trying to control everything. Small, ordinary gifts hold the essence of finding joy in the unexpected. They remind us that happiness does not always come from big achievements or perfect timing. Sometimes, it flows gently through the simplest acts — a shared grin, a kind word, or a pause to breathe.
Year 12 know that in a world that often feels weighty or uncertain, finding joy in the unexpected becomes a quiet yet powerful act of resilience. They have learnt to keep their hearts open even when life feels unpredictable. A sorrow might lead us to new wisdom. A closed door could be the open door to something wonderful and right.
The art of finding joy in the unexpected is a subtle superpower of this cohort — one that helps them see beauty even when life doesn’t go as planned. They know that joy (and even happiness) is something to be noticed along the way; that when plans shift or the paths take an unforeseen turn, there’s often a hidden blessing waiting to be revealed — a small moment of peace, a deep connection, or the realization that life’s detours often lead them exactly where they’re meant to be.
A.A.Milne, the author of Winnie the Poo, wrote “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” I trust that the hearts of Year 12 2025 are filled with a collection of the smallest, joy-filled things and that they have room for many more!
I believe that the Class of 2025, as a group, have honed their ability to find joy in themselves, each other and their day to day world. They exhibit gratitude, grace, wisdom and express (loudly and proudly at times) a strong voice for justice and vision for a better way of being. They are people of faith, integrity, community, hope and…joy. I believe they will be successful in whatever paths they choose to follow next.
To the Class of 2025. Congratulations. You have shown us all what can be achieved when individuals are open to the unexpected, to what is beautiful, true and good.
I am proud of you.
Go, be bold, seek the lofty transcendentals of truth, beauty and goodness. Know that we are all immensely proud of what you have achieved, of who you are and of who you will evolve to become.
Go with our confidence in you, your community and with this blessing:
God be with you in every pass,
Jesus be with you on every hill,
Spirit be with you on every stream,
Headland, ridge and lawn;
Each sea and land, each moor and meadow,
Each lying down, and rising up,
In the trough of the waves, on the crest of the billows,
Each step of the journey you go.
A special congratulations to Ningil House who was awarded the 2026 SPIRIT AWARD. Well done to all Tullow for their exceptional efforts.
Anna Masters
Principal
