Valedictory is a special time to celebrate the end of secondary schooling for our Year 12 Leavers. The School has a tradition of our Leavers saying good-bye in a dignified manner that demonstrates the respect and care that the students feel for the School to which they have a strong sense of belonging.
The first event was held just after recess on Wednesday 17th October. The House Captain Tree Planting Ceremony is not a staid event, often for the excitement occurring outside the School boundaries! Here the House Captains of our five Houses, under the direction of their Head of House, plant a tree. The five red flowering gums add to all the other trees on the North Oval boundary. This long-held tradition sees every House Captain in the Senior School leave ‘their mark’. It has been in place ever since there was a ‘Peter Moyes Senior School’.
Then, at 12.00pm, the Senior School students and staff gathered in the Auditorium for the Valedictory Chapel. Once again, it was lovely to see parents attend. During the service, students received two physical gifts from the School, which also holds a deep symbolic meaning. The first was a lighted candle that represents the light of Christ’s guidance in their life after Peter Moyes ACS. The second was a Bible, personally inscribed by the Head of House. The bible represents a manual for life for each student. At the end of the service, staff and students in Years 10 and 11 formed an Honour Guard for the Year 12’s to pass through.
To close the first day of Valedictory Events, the Leavers were hosted in the Staff Room for a Valedictory High Tea, after a welcome from the Principal, Mr Ben Lomas. The decorated staff room was transformed beautifully for the event, each table laden with delicious food for afternoon tea. The Year 12 Leavers were given an individualised ‘Warm Fuzzy’ booklet, filled with kind messages from all members of their cohort. Adding to the sentimental feelings many students gained from receiving their Warm Fuzzies, students were given a letter they wrote to themselves during their Year 9 Transition to Senior School morning, way back in 2015! Many a horrified comment was along the lines of ‘’what was I thinking back then!!”
Thursday saw the Leavers arrive for their final Assembly, ever – the Leavers Assembly, presented to the Senior School, and some Middle School students. Dressed in an exceptional array of fancy dress, the Leavers brought with them a sense of fun and excitement to the morning. The highlight of the Leavers Assembly for many was the ABBA-Dance Off, a well-choreographed event between students and staff. The degree of extraordinary athleticism and many hours of practice of creative dance moves saw the students take the honours this year. There were skits and singing along with the Leavers kindly presenting Certificates of Appreciation and gift cards. Given to staff from all three Sub-Schools, the certificates highlight the sense of belonging felt by this group, which held a significant number of whom have been a Peter Moyes ACS student since Kindergarten.
The day culminated with Valedictory Evening held in the Auditorium and after in the transformed gymnasium for refreshments, family photographs and final farewells. The Year 12 students were honoured for all achievements, both academic and pastoral. Whilst this edition lists students who received Awards, be it Subject, Special or the Dux Awards, our congratulations are extended to all our Valedictorians. The five-minute Leavers Video gave us a taste of the full version, and the Leavers Magazine was collected after the ceremony under the backdrop of the superb Leavers Banner. Chloe Saunders and Arnav Sinha presented their last duty as Head Girl and Head Boy with their heart-felt address. They also cut the magnificent Leavers Cake enjoyed by all afterwards in the Gym.
Valedictory is a special time for our Peter Moyes ACS students. It is one which holds significance for all involved – staff, parents and families of Year 12 students, and more importantly, our Year 12 Leavers themselves.
Good luck and best wishes to each and every Year 12 student.
Written by Natalie Shaw, Associate Principal – Senior School