YEAR 11 & 12 COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

A year like no other, needed a graduation ceremony like no other.

For most of the year, it seemed likely that there would not be a graduation ceremony at all - just a simple handing over of the Victorian Certificate of Education, and a warm farewell and best wishes as students walked out the front gate.

But as the end of the year drew nearer, and restrictions gradually eased, the word went out that there would be a graduation ceremony after all - although not exactly the sort to which we were accustomed.

At first it sounded outrageous to think that we would hold the ceremony in the examination room, and that families would not be allowed to attend; but as reality set in, we all turned our minds towards making sure the event would be as pleasing and as memorable as possible.

So on Wednesday, 2 December at around 1:15pm, our graduating students began arriving at school dressed resplendently in their finest attire. It was obvious from the very start that these boys were not going to let the idea of holding the ceremony in the conference room ruin their special day. Indeed, some were heard to make comments about the room looking ‘not too bad’. Perhaps it was due to the installation of the ‘graduation’ backdrop and the balloon decorations around the room - not to mention the front of the room alluringly decorated with trophies, certificates and gift bags ready for presentation.

Along with speeches by the principal, Mr Mehmet Cicek, Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Ms Emel Sener, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Mr Mahir Kara, and Alumni Outreach Coordinator, Ms Esma Yucel, we had two special guest appearances: one being the CEO of ARO (Australian Relief Organisation) Mr Ali Goru, the other being Lieutenant Jemil Polat (also a teacher at our campus) representing the Australian Army Cadets. Mr Goru presented students with Certificates of Appreciation for their participation in ARO fundraising events, and Lieutenant Polat presented two deserving students with the Australian Defence Force Awards.

One other special moment was the screening of an amusing video showcasing some of the more lighthearted aspects of life as a member of the Class of 2020. The three school captains also shared their own individual reflections upon the completion of school life, and I congratulate Osayd Kashoa, Ahmed Baroudi and Ali Shaban on their great contribution in representing the student body.

Of course, no ceremony would be complete without the presentation of subject achievement awards and the Victorian Certificates of Education. The former having been presented to several deserving students by their proud teachers, and the latter having been presented to graduates by their proud principal, Mr Mehmet Cicek. The event was capped off (pun intended) by the traditional throwing off of the graduation caps on the not-so-traditional location of the centre circle on the school’s soccer field.

A huge thank you to Mr Mithat Demir for his engaging performance as the Master of Ceremonies and Mr Gokhan Cil for his indispensable service towards the smooth running of the multimedia on the day.

The great news is that despite family members not having been able to attend, the ceremony has been videographed and a recording will be distributed to families at a later date.

After the ceremony, later that afternoon, some of the boys together with Mr Kara, Mr Ouaida, Mr Demir and I headed to Docklands wharf to enjoy dinner at sunset, aboard a river-boat cruise along the Yarra. Please enjoy some of the photos from this cruise at the end of this message.

Of course, I must not forget the Year 11 boys who have also completed their academic year, and have already collected their Year 12 varsity jackets, which I know they cannot wait to start wearing from day one of school next year. Many of them have also completed the year having earned awards for their achievements, and we congratulate these boys. You will find details of these awards, together with photos at the end of this message.

My sincerest best wishes to you all for a safe and rewarding break, Insha’Allah.