Year 12 Graduation Dinner

Last Thursday evening, more than 500, students, staff and families gathered for our 2024 Year 12 Graduation Dinner.

The evening is always bittersweet as we farewell students we have come to know and respect.

I first met this cohort when they were in Year 8, and despite going into lockdown just six weeks after we met – these were some of the first names I learned at the school.

The graduation dinner marked not just the end of six years of schooling but the beginning of a new chapter filled with promise, hope, and purpose.

St Francis, our patron saint, taught us to live humbly, love greatly, and serve selflessly.

These values have been at the heart of the student’s education here. Whether during retreats, in our Social Justice activities in the classroom, or on the sports field, they have embraced the spirit of compassion and community that defines our College.

As these young people step into the wider world, we encourage them to carry these lessons with them. May these core values be their compass when the road ahead seems uncertain.

As Principal, I wish to thank the parents of our graduates. Your unwavering support, sacrifices, and love have been the foundation of these young people’s success. Selecting a school is an important decision. So we thank you for choosing St Francis Catholic College and working in partnership with us.

Thank you to Michael Gruis, Chair of our School Advisory Council, who gave this year's parent address. Michael, a former student, outlined the many changes the College has undergone and the importance of the lifelong friends made in this final year of school.

A large number of teaching staff also attended the evening. This is a testament to the strong bonds built over the past six years. These staff have not only educated our students but inspired, guided and challenged the cohort to be the best version of themselves.

So, to our Class of 2024, your future lies ahead, untethered and full of possibility. As you leave these familiar grounds, remember that your greatest power lies not just in what you know but in who you are.

Be people who lift others, who strive for justice, and who spread kindness. Embrace challenges as opportunities, and never lose sight of the faith and values instilled in you here at St Francis Catholic College.

Congratulations, Class of 2024. Go forward with confidence, with courage, and with Christ at your side. May you continue to shine as the remarkable individuals you are.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11:

Marlene Jorgensen

Principal