Congratulations to the Wodonga Senior Secondary College Class of 2020. Our community is exceedingly proud of your achievements in this extraordinary year. You are part of a unique group of Year 12s across the world graduating during a historic global pandemic.
As you complete this educational milestone, take time to reflect on your previous 13 years and all the changes that you have successfully embraced. It all began with your parents/carers and yourself enthusiastically organising uniforms, lunch boxes and bags in advance of that first big day of primary school. Possibly your eagerness to get to bed early now in anticipation of school life has waned, along with laying out your school uniform the night before!
As you started secondary school, you continued to adapt. The familiarity of your primary school teacher, classmates and room were replaced by multiple teachers, classrooms and subjects. Lockers and carrying books became the new thing along with making new friends and reestablishing old ones. Here you started to show greater independence and accept more responsibility—managing a heavier workload and more complex timetable, as well as scheduling extracurricular activities in and out of school.
Just when you thought you had it all worked out, stepping up was required once again, transitioning to the Senior College. Many of you were excited by the facilities, the breadth of subjects and the adult-like environment. These final years were a time for you to focus on your future pathway.
As you ended in 2019, you were excited about the year that lay ahead. A year of cultural and educational rituals – 18th birthdays; driving licences; the last school sports, photos and productions; stronger bonds with peers and of course the significant events that you have waited 13 years for – Year 12 assembly, final bell and valedictory.
Then along comes 2020 – full of anticipation. Instead, it has been a year of rapid change. A summer covered in smoke from bushfires and then a global pandemic. You embraced remote learning as enthusiastically as that first day of primary school, adapting to change as confidently as your other educational transitions. You have worked hard when no one has been watching and managed these uncertain times with optimism.
We share with you the disappointments of 2020 and commend you on your achievements. This exceptional year has set you up with different and valuable skills. Class of 2020, we wish you all the very best.
Vern Hilditch
Executive Principal
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