Graduation Day Parents’ Speech

Good evening. I have the honour to speak on behalf of all the parents here tonight, and to represent some of our thoughts and reflections on the happy occasion of seeing our daughters and sons graduate from Fort Street High School.

I imagine I was asked to speak tonight mainly because I have been heavily involved with the school’s Instrumental Music Program over the past eight years. That involvement has given me some behind-the-scenes insight into how the school is run, the dedication of the school staff and of many parents, and also a chance to observe and get to know quite a number of students, including a good few who are graduating here tonight.

And through all that, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a rather special place.

I would have loved to have gone to this school. I have been, over the last eight years, green eyed with jealousy for Sebastian’s and Julian’s opportunities here at The Fort. I may have occasionally subjected them, unprompted, to grumpy middle-aged rants along the lines of, “You don’t know how lucky you are!” Which really is not fair, because they are well aware of how lucky they are. I believe that most of the students at this school, particularly as they contemplate leaving it, are aware of how special a place it is.

So what makes The Fort special?

A great many things of course, but for me the stand-out aspect is Diversity. A culture that values and cultivates Diversity.

Diversity of interests. This school offers a myriad of activities and opportunities that the students enthusiastically embrace. Cultural interests, such as the astonishing 14 ensembles of the IMP. Educational interests, such as debating and robotics. And a healthy sports program. This school loves to celebrate effort and achievement in these diverse interests. Diversity of backgrounds, ethnicity and religion, among the students and the staff, reflecting Australia’s great multicultural social backbone.

It seems to me that two core values intertwine with that culture of Diversity: Respect and Balance.

Respect for, indeed honouring and embracing of, a wide diversity of interests, opinions, beliefs and religions. Respect for sex and gender diversity.

Balance between academic excellence, and the pursuit of diverse cultural and social activities. A tricky balancing act for a selective school, and something The Fort works hard to get right. Balance between respect for authority and the right to protest against perceived injustice. For example, earlier this year the students staged a solidarity walkout from school protesting against gun violence in US schools. But they made sure they got the school exec on-board first. Respect balanced with irreverence, a key characteristic of Fortians. For example, students respectfully honouring the traditions, pomp and ceremony of Speech Day, but also each year running a book on how long their principal’s speech will be.

A culture of diversity, respect and balance allows all sorts of different people to fit in – to feel that they belong. I think that most students at Fort Street believe that they belong here. And that is a wonderful – and I dare say unusual – thing.

The Fort, then, is a special place indeed.

Nothing this special ever just happens, and continues to happen year-on-year. People make it happen. Which brings me to my important duty tonight.

Being the fine young adults that they are, I am sure that our year 12 students took the opportunity this week to thank their teachers and the other school staff. It is important, however, that we parents also thank them. For of course, it is predominantly the Fort Street staff – the executive, the teachers, the office and other admin staff – who define that culture of diversity, respect and balance, who set the standards, who lead by example, who educate at the highest level, and who do all the work behind the scenes to enable all the diverse activities and opportunities.

I imagine there is a tradition on this occasion of the parent speaker offering some sage advice to the graduating students, as they leave school and begin their journey into the big, wide world. And this should not be a surprise, for what parent can resist the urge to offer un-asked-for advice to a group of teenagers, particularly including their own.

But I am going to resist that urge. For I really don’t think you need advice from me. You are, I believe – to a large degree based on your education at this school, the opportunities you have taken up here, the friends you have made, and the culture of respect for diversity that you have imbibed here and made your own – so much better equipped to move on from school and to the challenges and opportunities of adult life. You are more mature, more aware, more tolerant, more caring, more broadly educated, more inquisitive, and you form and sustain great friendships. You are so well equipped for the journey, to do remarkable and rewarding things, and to grow into true leadership roles within our wider community.

Fort Street Class of 2018, huge congratulations on graduating today. We all look forward, with much excitement and optimism, to seeing what you make of the journey from here.

Ian Daniels
Father of Julian van Gerwen Year 12