Year 12

The long anticipated winter break is finally here. This week has been very special with lots of activities and events organised by our Year 12 2022 student body. The Round Square team lead by Mounica Akula (12 Wade) and Grace Selim (House Captain Mooramoora) lead a great series of activities throughout the week and the Round Square flags flew in the Bird Bath Quad after two years of lockdowns and non events. Luminary groups held Barazza group discussions on issues of leadership, all amongst final assessments and exams at the end of term.

The Prescott Puppy pageant occurred without a hitch due to the hard work and dedication of Prescott house captains Zoe Churchill and Ruby Smith. Lester’s Water Aid initiative also coincided with the environmentalism theme of Round Square week. Thanks go to Zunairah Mahfuz and Zoe Johnson.

The Consent Day workshops happened on Tuesday afternoon for Year 12. Year 11 and Year 12 leaders created an innovative and educational program in conjunction with Elephant Ed. Our Year 12 leaders – Jade DiGirolamo, Julia Gough, Grace Selim, Natalie Cavallaro, Annading Chen, Coco Huang, Jasmine Balfour, Sarah Andrikis, Zoe Churchill, Tina Papamanuel, Haya Yahia, Gauri Sharma and Briana Tran lead workshops with specific discussion points and scenarios with their peers. Elephant Ed is an entirely youth-led organisation that consulted with our executive and Year 12 captains, especially Doris Yang (12 Prescott) to create a bespoke program for the needs of our student body. We had lots of positive feedback and hope that the issues raised become a source of discussion at home end educating Year 12 to make confident and affirmative decisions about their safety and wellbeing.

The Year 12 captains farewelled Neil Scotney (Head of Senior School) at the captains meeting on Tuesday. Anna and her team gave Neil a great gift – a framed photo of the group and a special mug dedicated to the newest MLC School ‘Old Boy’. Year 12 will miss Neil’s guidance and advice and always his willingness to step in and support any Year 12 in need. We thank him for all of his efforts and care and wish him all the best in his new role at Newington. Year 12 also say farewell to Chris Barnes as DHoSS Academic as he leaves for the US. Chris has often been the first port of call for Year 12 students in academic care issues and we wish him the best of luck.

While the break has opportunities for study and consolidation of learning, the break offers a chance to catch up, slow down and regroup. It has been an incredibly busy term with lots of events and illness. Planning some socialising, work and time with family and friends is an important part of the process of recovery and provides balance. Holiday workshops will be happening and your daughter will have details of these events from their teachers. On behalf of myself and the Year 12 luminary and mentor team, travel safely and take care.

– Sharon Connolly
Head of Year 12