speech night 2022

The heart and soul of St Mary’s are our students, and the focus of Speech Night is always to honour their achievements, with the presentation of prizes for academic success, citizenship and service, sporting prowess, and musical and artistic talents. Students from Years 7 to 10 were honoured for Academic Excellence, and Attitude and Effort, with the top academic students in Years 7 to 11 also recognised. Students in Years 11 and 12 received subject prizes. The top academic student in the Year 12 Elevate program was Anastasia Panagodimos and Dux of the School was Chloe Ryan, who was also awarded the prize for each of her six ATAR subjects, an outstanding achievement. Of course, those who receive Speech Night awards are only a small number in our total population, and it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that in the whole student body, there are myriads of talents, skills and fine achievements, for which all our girls must be congratulated. It was fitting that the evening highlighted the extraordinary creativity of our Wearable Art girls, who showcased their imagination and talents in a colourful presentation of their works.

It has become a tradition of Speech Night that an Old Girl is chosen as Guest Speaker. This year, we heard from Danella Ashwin (’10) who shared an inspirational story of her pursuit to become a doctor. After completing first a Science and then a Nursing degree, Danella endured a series of rejections. However, her resilience and strength of purpose helped her to realise her dream. She has now achieved her medical degree and is loving her hospital placements. Along with her message to the girls of the importance of persevering to achieve your goals, Danella talked about not allowing that pursuit to consume your whole life, and having a hobby, something creative for balance, to keep you grounded. For Danella it has been music, regularly playing gigs as a student, and continuing to do so now, along with being a doctor. The final part of Danella’s message was about not listening to the “imposters”, the voices in your head that might tell you that you won’t succeed, or that you don’t belong. This inspiring young woman then concluded her presentation by performing a song she had composed, especially for the Year 12s, urging them to use their wings and fly.

Music was a beautiful feature of the evening, the finale being a stirring performance of Lanterns by the Speech Night Choir (Years 5 to 12), accompanied by the Senior Concert Band and special guest musicians. Speech Night was over for another year. It was time for “goodbyes” and happy holiday wishes. Attendees left, perhaps feeling a little chilled by the night air, but warmed by having seen and heard so much about the extraordinary knowledge and talents, imagination and optimism, of St Mary’s girls and all that they will have to contribute to the world beyond the School’s gates.