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Year 13 Graduation Dinner

December 10, 2012 at 1:52 PM

‘This is it’ has become the catch cry at the annual Year 13 Graduation Dinner as our students in their final year come together for one last time to formally graduate from Saint Kentigern College. The evening marks many ‘last times’ for these students as they prepare to take the next step in life’s journey beyond the security of the school gates. It’s the last time they gather with their year group as one, the last time they join in worship to the say the Prayer of Saint Kentigern, the last time they wear their school uniform and the last time they follow in the path of a lone Piper. But the evening itself is all about enjoying the moment.

Over 750 guests comprising students and their families, along with staff and Trust Board members gathered on the ground floor of the Ellerslie Convention Centre for Reverend David Smith’s Graduation Chapel – An Ending and A Sending. As a hugely significant journey draws to an end and a new road beckons, the Chaplain encouraged the students to reflect back on their time in Chapel over the years, saying, ‘I hope that at Chapel you were challenged to think about life and love and community, and about your place ‘in’ and your contribution ‘to’ our world.’ And that you picked up on the concept of Christian concept of ‘grace’ and God’s unconditional love.’ Year 12 student, Courtney Janssen, a student well known at College for her confident jazz and blues voice, joined the service to sing ‘Amazing Grace’ one last time for the Year 13’s. Later in the service Manase Latu, Dillon Wihongi and Denelle Bhagwandhin came together to sing a moving rendition of ‘Forever Young’ as all the students photos were shown on screen.

In his parting words, the Reverend said, ‘I hope that at Saint Kentigern you were encouraged to be a person of integrity, a person who behaves the same way whether people are watching or not.. . that you will take some of the values instilled in you, and that you will challenge them, measure them, test them and then - understanding the alternatives – that you’ll choose to treasure some of them as your own.’             

The formal graduation took place directly after the Chapel Service with Chairman of the Trust Board, Dr Bruce Goodfellow, joining the Head of College, Mr Steve Cole, to hand out the graduation certificates and offer affirmations.

The rest of the evening was free of formality to enjoy dinner.  The tables had been lovingly transformed by the Parents and Friends, with House photos as place mats and coloured balloons placed in strategic House winning order – Chalmers bouncing merrily at the top. In his address to the students, Head of College, Mr Cole bid farewell to Year 13 saying, ‘You are a multi-talented, remarkable group of young people - some of you, in some disciplines, amongst the very best in the country and very ready for the next stage of education and life.  I ask you to think with kindness towards your parents who made this remarkable education possible for you and your teachers, many of whom have inspired you on your path.’

We wish all these students and their families well as they end of their time with us. We send them on their way, well prepared and with our blessing, to take on the next chapter in their lives beyond the College gates. We will always be interested to hear how their lives progress and look forward to our students keeping in contact and retaining their special ties to the Saint Kentigern community.

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