You go with our blessing, Years 12s

When I commenced at Casey Grammar in 2017, I met the then Year 8s. I taught half the Year 8 students that year and the remaining half the following year. I went on the Year 9 City Experience with them for a few days and got to know them even better as some joined our Social Justice Group.

When they were in Year 9, I watched those students work together to help one of their peers raise enough money to go to Africa to witness firsthand the work of World Vision. They washed cars under the guiding hand of Ms O’Driscoll and sold Zooper Doopers to make that possible.

Last year, I had two outstanding students in that year level, Lilly Hopp and Ellen Streat, as Social Justice and Community Captains. This year I was fortunate to continue to work with Ellen in this role and I send her my sincere and deep thanks for her organisation, hard work and commitment to making the world a better place through her presence, energy and passion.

Earlier this year I celebrated with the Year 12s on their appointments to leadership and commissioned them into their positions. I have also been privileged to teach Year 12 English and that has allowed me to get to know these students in a completely different context.

Over the last four weeks I’ve had the task of gathering their Prep photos and I’ve watched the younger, littler versions of the students I know roll in. What is consistently astounding is how much they are themselves—even at age four or five. 

Below are the Prep photos that were taken of Julia, Tea and Jordan.

They have now seen so much more but that little person, now a bigger person, is still there. The hours spent using those photos to create a slideshow gave me a unique opportunity to reflect on this year level and how I will really miss them.

I will miss their contributions to Chapel services, through readings and prayers. I’ll miss seeing them volunteer their time at Backpacks 4 Vic Kids or helping to organise the Christmas hampers. I’ll miss conversations where someone will come up and tell me about an idea or project. I’ll miss the conversations where I’ve been surprised, or where I’ve spontaneously laughed. Those are memories I will keep.

On Thursday, as a school, we sent off the 2021 Graduating Class. While not quite in the way we hoped, it was filled with celebration and connection thanks to the hard work of a big team including Caitlin Merritt, Leanne Moss, Courtney Osborne, Kate Morgan and Simon Hall.

To finish Thursday, we had a virtual Valedictory dinner and concluded the evening with this blessing.

As you reflect on the events of today

The photos, the memories, the laughter, the celebration

That you did it

You made it

You’ve finished your formal school journey

May you recognise how you have grown, changed, influenced others and been shaped by them

May you sense God’s presence alongside you in your path beyond here

Guiding, directing and holding you

May you know what it is to be strong and courageous individuals

Whose convictions and values of integrity, respect, compassion, excellence and inclusion

Stay with you all the days of their lives

Amen

Monique Riviere-Pendle

Chaplain