Oakleigh Grammar’s Year 12 Graduation Dinner brought together students, parents, staff and board members face-to-face after more than two years.
The event that took place at Merrimu Receptions in Melbourne began with a heartfelt address by Sts Anargiri Parish Priest and Oakleigh Grammar School Chaplain, Fr Stavros Kakavas followed by moving speeches by 2022 School Captains Toni Strathopoulos and Chris Tsiagalos.
“As students at Oakleigh Grammar, we are taught to use our skills and the resources available to us to make effective change in areas such as diversity, environment, and community,” Miss Stathopoulos said enthusiastically.
With the rapid changes taking place in our lives, we were taught to be leaders,” she added.
“Leaders can be challenged. Leaders can be empowering. Leaders must adapt and be empathetic whilst always being stoic. I also learnt that bravery is not the lack of fear, but rather the ability to move forward in spite of fear.
Tonight, we say goodbye to everything that was familiar, everything that was comfortable, and for those of us that have been here since Kinder or Prep, everything that we have ever really known…I cannot help but also feel exceptionally thankful to have experienced something that makes saying goodbye so hard…Let’s all remember to be nice. Be kind. But above all be your authentic self. Because if not you, then who?,” Miss Stathopoulos continued.
Oakleigh Grammar students gathered with parents and teachers to honour year 12 graduates. All photos: Con Deves
Oakleigh Grammar students gathered with parents and teachers to honour year 12 graduates. All photos: Con Deves
Oakleigh Grammar students gathered with parents and teachers to honour year 12 graduates. All photos: Con Deves
Chris Tsiagalos decided to pay tribute to his teachers highlighting that he will always have them in his heart.
“Each one of you has had a profound impact on my life, my values, and my school experience. You have shaped me and taught me that to be a good person, to look out for others and to speak up for what I believe in, is just as important as any … work requirement that is measured in grades,” the student added. “You taught me to lead with compassion not ego, and that what I give in this world is more important than what I receive and so I thank you again.”
The school’s principal, Mark Robertson, continued with an awards presentation before giving way to celebrations that went well into the night.
“It was a joy to see our Graduating Class of 2022 have the opportunity to come together with their families and teachers to celebrate this milestone,” Mr Robertson said.
“These students have done an amazing job at working through challenges and staying the course, and we wish them all the very best with the VCE and life beyond school.”
