Year 12

Congratulations to Year 12 2022 on reaching this milestone in their life. I first have to acknowledge the support of the Year 12 Luminaries and of Penny Hewett, who mentored our group from Year 7 to Year 9. You were very lucky to have had such great support at the beginning of your life in the Middle Years.

It has been a privilege to be on the senior journey with you. By the end of Year 10 you had started the transition process out of MLC School and into a new phase of your life – you just didn’t quite realise it yet. You built friendships for life, created great bonds with your teachers as mentors, worked hard, had fun and planned the next steps to your future.

Synchronised swimming for Year 12 is a special MLC School tradition. I had never really thought of it as a metaphor for life until the Swimming Carnival this year – you are given a task you’re not sure about, you jump in the deep end, flail around a bit, complain and then you find your tribe, accept the task, commit to the process and despite that, you find yourself enjoying something you never imagined you would. Hopefully you win but that isn’t really the point. The point is the connections you have made with each other and the lessons you have learnt about yourself. My greatest wish is that you stay in touch with each other as much as your busy lives will allow – wherever you are.

The disruptions of the last two years are a part of your story now and you should look back on that time with pride and the knowledge that you got through it together and as a result, did not take your time with each other for granted. With your wonderful leadership team, led by Anna Gough, you made everything ‘count’. The plays, exhibitions, examinations, recitals and sporting success are a testament to the fact that you refused to let the pandemic affect your life in Year 12.

Use your talents and gifts to support your communities and go out into the world to make it a better place for everyone. I have no doubt that the challenges of the future will be faced with confidence with your ingenuity, creativity and collaboration. In our Year group we have so many talented students – writers, musicians, performers, artists, scientists, carers and academics – all of you with the ability to take the challenge and the opportunity to lead, to care and to protect your planet, your family and friends. The world needs young people of vision and insight and you are the ones to do it.

Finally, as a parent of a Year 12 student this year myself, I wish our parent community all the best and thank you for placing your daughters in our care.

To Year 12, for the last time – take care.  

– Sharon Connolly
Head of Year 12