The Class of 2025 gathered on Wednesday 22 October to celebrate an emotion-packed final day of formal school. Activities commenced with an early breakfast shared with teachers.

St Mary’s students and staff were then joined by the Coolock cohort, parents and carers for a farewell assembly in the Marian Centre.

As students, parents, guests and staff took their seats, they were entertained by our amazing, Musician of the Year performers, Johara Mistica (Year 9), Elyssa Bhowon (Year 10) and Jamie Dearricott (Year 10), while the traditional Year 7 and Year 12 photo presentation featured on the screen.

The Year 12 Captains and student leaders led the assembly, which included an Acknowledgement of Country, prayers led by our Faith Captains Holly McColl and Liam Tyndall, and speeches from the College Captains Jaida Raco and Caleb Tobin, and members of the leadership team, to reflect on 2025.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learnt throughout my time at high school and especially taking on this role, it’s that you don’t have to be constantly worrying about what people think of you or comparing yourself to everyone else. We all have our own strengths and challenges, so focus on running your own race, because you will never win someone else’s.” (Jaida)

“Recently, I came across this quote ‘You don’t realise you’re in the good old days until they’ve passed.’ But standing up here today, I really hope the Class of 2025 can see that these - right now - are what we will one day call the good old days.” (Caleb)

Jadia and Caleb finished with heartfelt thanks to their parents, their teachers and their fellow students. “To our peers, It’s been a privilege to spend the last six years together and I am excited to see where your futures take you. Thank you for making our high school experience so incredible and something I know we will all cherish forever; these are the good old days!”

2025 College Captains Speech – Farewell Assembly

The Year 12 Student Leadership Team for 2025 was announced by Mr Frank Dullard, Executive Deputy Principal, with the current leaders handing over symbols of their roles to the new leaders.

Year 12 Captains for 2026

Backhaus House was announced as the winner of the House Cup for 2025, to the great excitement of the Backhaus Captains, Kade Hutchinson and Olivia Lacy, together with Backhaus House leaders and members across the College who burst into spontaneous cheers and applause.

In appreciation of the Year 12 Class of 2025, Year 7 Captains William Smith and Lucy Patching gave a blessing to the Class of 2025 and Mr Brian Turner congratulated the cohort on their resilience, courage and care for each other. He noted that while they had faced more than their share of challenges, they were a group to be proud of. He concluded: “We all wish you every success today and into the future, and we hope that you will not be strangers to our community.”

The Year 12s then treated the audience to their energetic version of Green Day, “It's something unpredictable, but in the end, it's right, I hope you had the time of your life”. A moving video created by Tarah Frawley and Jaida Raco followed, showing each Year 12 signing their farewell (see below), before the Year 12 Class of 2025 processed out through the assembled school community to the ABBA song “Slipping Through My Fingers” with extended applause and cheering from students and families.

While the exam weeks will undoubtedly present challenges and stress, before long, the Class of 2025 will gather again for the Graduation Mass and Celebration on 20 November. Meanwhile, we wish all our Year 12s every success in the next few weeks, as well as the years ahead.