Graduation Assembly

Thirteen years ago, the main thing on my mind would have been ensuring I was on Father Christmas’ Nice list! Fast-forward those 13 years, and we are now graduating school, and we have not made this transition on our own. If it were not for the people around us, none of us would be the people we are today. Life is more about the impact we have on others rather than the marks we got on a test. This is what Mercedes College means to me. We are part of a community rather than just a College. Mercedes College has a culture where everyone is valued, loved and cherished - a culture where teachers can talk to us about our weekends, give us advice for the future and keep us smiling. We are stronger together; to win sport you need to play as a team and school is no different. To do the best we can, we need to work together. So as we go forward in life, let us always remember the hand offered to us when we needed it most and offer the same to others.

Seamus Flaherty

To me, graduation means three things. It is a celebration, a time to commemorate everything we have achieved, and a farewell as we say goodbye and thank the people who helped us along the way. It is also a beginning, as we look forward and set new goals, dream new dreams, spread our wings and see the extraordinary world that lies beyond school routines. There is no other cohort I would rather have by my side throughout this journey. You lot are truly an incredible bunch of people and I am so grateful to have had you through my schooling life. As a year level, we have been there for each other through highs and lows: the sleepless nights, the laughs, the stress and the tears. While at times things may have been challenging, it is fair to say that we have had some awesome times together. With your talents and compassionate hearts, I know you will all make an incredible impact in this world.

Elise Varley

“Time flies by when you’re having fun.” Einstein, of all people, said this and while I am sure his idea of fun was very different to ours, the saying still holds true. This year has passed in a blur, and despite frantically getting assignments done and the lockdown, 2021 was undoubtedly one of the greatest years of our lives. Throughout all of this, there has been one source of continual support and love: our families. Personally, my family has been the only constant through a childhood of many moves. Over six different schools and four countries, the sacrifices my parents have made for me have all been in the hopes of giving me a life full of opportunity. To Amma and Appa, I hope to have made you proud and my biggest wish is for you to know that you are my role models. I hope you all appreciate the people who have been in your corner through the highs and the lows, because they will always be there for you.

Thina Maniraj

Today marks the day where 161 individually gifted and unique students close a chapter to welcome a new one – a day where we will say goodbye to the comfortable routine of school. A day dreaded by some and welcomed with open arms by others. I am finding it quite hard to say goodbye to Mercedes College, as it has been such a major part of all our lives. For most of us, the first day of Reception was exciting and scary at the same time, but soon enough we never wanted to leave. From Junior School discos, fun runs and fighting over the ‘Star of the Day’, to the Year 8 Musical, countless carnivals and the many nights spent together in tents, to be honest, I would go back and do it all again. I really could not have asked for a better group of kind, compassionate and respectful individuals to spend my last year of school with, and I am immensely proud to have been one of your College Captains this year.