‘Circle back to your purpose’ Graduation Speech

Principals Graduation Speech the Class of 2022.

‘Circle back to your purpose’

It is with complete respect, admiration, and extraordinary hope that I farewell the class of 2022… you have pretty much experienced, a never to be repeated school experience, one that will be remembered for many years.

I hope and believe that you cherish the experience, know how great it is to have been a young person growing up in this incredible country coastal community, on Murramarang land of Yuin Nation, and attending a superb NSW Public High school.

 (I am truly bias about this school and you, but hey, we have a lot to be proud of!)

As you take your step into that big world… a few things to ponder.

I first stepped into a classroom at 23 as ‘the Visual Arts teacher’ on the 7^{th of} March 1988.

Yep, an extremely significant year, not because it was my first year of teaching, but it was the awakening of a nation that committed to doing better for Aboriginal Students and doing better for all our kids.

On that first day, the school, that I arrived at, was in the western suburbs of Sydney, a public, not a very wealthy school with 1375 students, it was a huge school. Hugely diverse.

I was shown to my classroom, a very old visual arts demountable on the far side of the oval, and seriously it was at least 46 degrees inside.

 The school itself, was extremely dry and hot, right in the middle of ‘Penrith panther land’.

“Here you go” said the casual teacher, who said ‘it’s all yours’, she could not wait to hand over the keys and the classes to me.

She was not staying around. 

There I was, armed with a fresh degree, toolkit of what I thought were great lessons, and loads of ‘new teacher’ energy.

I had told the then, Department of Education, that yes, I wanted a teaching position, I said, I will go anywhere in the state to teach, but, if possible, I am not a fan of being in the city, if possible.

Yep, that is exactly where they put me.

Smack bang in the middle of the western suburbs of Sydney. I was truly excited to have a job as a real teacher.

I arrived, as I said.  I was given, a range of very full and complex classes. The Visual arts faculty was the one of the biggest in the state, and I was now at the bottom of the pecking order, of teachers, kids and at the time felt like the whole system.  Oh well, I thought to my-self.

I just wanted to work with the kids in my classes to help them ‘Imagine a better future view of themselves’, I believed that my job was to bring to them a confidence in their ability as learners, and self-belief in their future best-selves!

That was truly my life purpose… there were dark days, hard long exhausting days, where I questioned everything, but I always circled back, to what and why I was giving my life to teaching. 

Catapult to today… here you are… you, alone, will have to make the decisions toward your purpose.

There will be some days…. that you will a question yourself. There will be days you will question everything….

You will circle back to your purpose.

Getting rich is not a purpose… however, researching ways to save our environment is a purpose… caring for our elderly people is a purpose… rebuilding houses after floods is a purpose…being a good and caring friend is a purpose.

There are going to be times, many times as you step toward your purpose, that you will be tested.

But you will find your purpose… and it will bring you a great life, not always an easy life, but a fulfilled purposeful life of meaning.

I look around the room at every teacher, parent, grandparent, and support staff here today…and particularly the caring and incredible Year advisors, Mrs. K and Mr. Stevo, their purpose for the last 6 years is to see you successfully graduate. And how good does that feel.

There are some of you, that are still to write your story……

As you transition to your future life beyond school, whatever that may be, you must remember one thing. Know who you are, be proud of who you are and be the best possible example of yourself, to really set your mark on the world.

At UHS you have learnt to respect your fellow students, your teachers, your school, and your community.

You have learnt to respect other people’s identity, their beliefs, and you have always showed compassion, understanding and honesty to the people around you.

Don’t ever loose that.

As I have said often, you are the generation to silence racism, sexism, ageism and all the loaded beliefs and assumptions, usually built on old beliefs and prejudices. Views that have no place now or in the future.

Soo who could forget, how learning has really evolved over your time as a student.

High school really was the time that you learnt your best skills, the skills that will be with you, well and truly into old age.

In year 7 and 8… you learnt how to collaborate authentically, you learnt that a classroom is not -rows of desks- that the best learning happens when you create something… that matters, that is meaningful and useful to others.

You learnt that your school, truly does things differently, and that you are so much better for having experienced that difference, and that struggle.

Because who really thought when you were in Year 10. that learning was going to take a whole new twist, what would follow the most catastrophic bush fire season on record that devasted our community, and what followed that, was an unprecedented world-wide pandemic, who would have thought that these extraordinary circumstances were going to be the ‘formulation’ of your school life?  

But hey look at you now! Total champions! totally nailed it!

But you know me. It’s all about the learning.

And our job in making great people, which has always been at the heart of what happens at school.

At times you might not have thought that.

As an educator and a person who has dedicated their career to working in schools,

I am asked a lot about measuring success.

Is it exam results?

Is it who attends 95%?

Number of outcomes learnt. 

Number of students graduating?  the list goes on.

One may ask, really, how is success measured according to the world?

How will your success be measured?

To me, you are already succeeding.

It is not about the doing of all those assessment tasks, exams and tests that grows us, but the learning of skills that will carry you to new horizons. If the truth be known, there will always be struggle and life undoubtedly is messy.

Often the focus on the list of assignments to do, the projects to complete, or the essays to rewrite blur the real growth in each of you.

As the content of the HSC exams fade and the hype of a pandemic dissipates, what remains in you, are the skills, the knowing, the way you approach learning, the way you are with people and your attitude to life. This will be your future. I am truly proud of you and will miss you immensely.

It is with great respect that I acknowledge the student leaders, captains, and prefects. You have been an incredibly inspiring group of people who have shown me and the school community that having courage to step forward for what you believe in has enlivened the hearts and minds of every one of us. You chose courage and you made everyone around you a little better and the world a little braver”. Thank you.

 At this point, I honour and thank Mrs Kneeshaw for her hard work and absolute belief in every one of you.  I remember when she first greeted you 6 years ago (You were all enthusiastic, optimistic, and curious – and you still are!), the only thing she wanted for you all, was that you were all successful and did your best. You have kept your end of the bargain, you will all walk away, clearly as successful young people who will always try to do your best! I also thank immensely MR. Stevo, you have been the steady, authentic, and caring assistant year advisor who has kept the real in being a high school student. Huge shout out to you Sir!

Along with Mrs Kneeshaw and Mr Stephen, the crew who never missed a beat… I extend my sincerest thanks to Mrs Barry, your Deputy, who has been your strongest advocate and guardian. Mr. Pearson your DP, who got you through those early years, Ms Waters and Mrs Bunyan who always had your back, to all your dedicated teachers, admin staff and of course your parents. It’s been an incredible partnership, thank youuu all. 

Call me the last man standing, I began this Journey with you 6 years ago and I feel privileged to farewell you in 2022, as you have grown into wonderful young people.

You have helped make this school extraordinary. Year 12…. you now join the proud Alumni of Ulladulla High School; this is your high school and will always be your high school.

You will join the many doctors, lawyers, celebrities, musicians, athletes, change makers, businessman, editors, baristas, and barristers, teachers, peacemakers, tradesman, mums, and dads who are all part of the great world class school tradition that is Ulladulla High.

Be proud of the outstanding public education you have received, and don’t allow anyone to put your school or the people in it down.

Congratulations Class of 2022 you are serious legends! Not even a pandemic or the ending reign of a monarch could have stopped you.

Sincerely,

Your principal.

#YouhaveGotThis

#TheWorldIsForTheTaking

#RememberUs and #be brave

#GoquietlyIntoTheWORLD and make small and meaningful rippling waves of change

Principals last word… live simply, love generously, and learn constantly.