25 October 2024
Last week, we farewelled our Year 12 student in a week full of events. On Wednesday, we hosted a thank-you breakfast, during which Year 12 student Tiger Liu delivered a heartfelt message to the staff of St Peter’s College, acknowledging them as the main reason we have come this far in our schooling careers. That same day, there was a “Welcome to SPOC” barbeque where the boys were welcomed to the club by Oren Klemich and had the opportunity to sign up for various SPOC sporting clubs.
The following day, Year 12 student enjoyed a farewell breakfast in Big Quad, followed by the final House muster and the last Chapel service. I have never heard students sing as loudly as they did during that chapel service. It gave me serious goosebumps hearing all 170 Year 12 student singing their favourite hymns with such gusto.
From there, we proceeded to Memorial Hall for the Valedictory Muster, followed by the Avenue of Honour, which involves every student from the ELC to Year 12. It’s a tradition where the Year 12 students walk from Memorial Hall to the Hackney exit, marking the last time they will walk out of the gates of St Peter’s College. This is always the most emotional part of the farewell process. It hits you as you walk past friends from other year levels and teachers, seeing your Year 12 peers overcome with emotion. The realisation that school is actually over, and that you won’t be seeing many of these people again, is a sobering thought.
On Friday, we held Speech Day in Memorial Hall, where old scholar and Olympian Simon Arkell (WDK 1983) addressed us. Simon shared some of the amusing antics he got up to during his time at St Peter’s College, making a few teachers’ eyebrows twitch. However, he conveyed a touching message: no one’s life follows a straight line of success. There are always ups and downs, and things won’t always be perfect. We then moved to the Adelaide Convention Centre for our Valedictory Dinner, which was a fantastic way to end what had been an exciting yet emotional week. Experiencing this week for a second time brought me back to my own graduation last year, and all the mixed emotions that come with it. Graduating from school is a big deal, especially when it’s been such a significant part of your life. Especially at St Peter’s College, where there is such a strong sense of community, and so many meaningful connections are made. It’s the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one for the Year 12 students, who are now stepping into the wider world.
Although our year as School Captains is gradually coming to a close, Ryan and I are continuing in our roles until the end of Term 4. Last week, the School Captain and Vice Captain for 2025 were announced. We warmly congratulate Aadi Mittal (Short House) as School Captain and Tiger Liu (Young House) as Vice Captain. We wish them the very best in their final weeks of Year 12, and we’re confident they’ll enjoy their roles as much as we have.
We wish all Year 12 students every success in the future. It has been a privilege getting to know them this year.
James Hattingh and Ryan Fowler
School Captains
