Distinguished guests, parents, teachers and students.
Welcome to Cleveland District State High’s Badge Ceremony for 2009
This is an important occasion in the life of our school. Our purpose is to induct our school leaders; to recognise those who have been chosen as school captains, members and executive of our student councils, house captains and also our senior students. Each and every one of you are leaders in our school.
Shortly Terry Kearney, Assistant Director General - Indigenous Education, Training and the Arts Division of DETA will talk to you about leadership.
Terry has more than three decades of experience in administration and education, stretching back to stints as a teacher and principal,
He is ideally placed to talk about schooling, your opportunities and leadership.
I will confine my remarks to our senior students and to making the most of the year ahead.
In less than 10 months time you will be sitting here, somewhat impatiently waiting to formally graduate and complete your secondary schooling. It will be a time of joy and anticipation and believe it or not for many of you it will be tinged with some sadness and apprehension.
Joy and anticipation of what lies ahead.
Sadness for leaving your friends and apprehension at the thought of leaving the safety, security and stability that school provides.
What do we want for our senior students after year 12?
We would want each and every one of you to leave this school and be engaged in full time study, full time employment or a mixture of both.
Anything less is not acceptable.
Our 2008 seniors had some outstanding performances with 100% obtaining an OP, a Vocational Certificate (most at Certificate two or better) or a certificate of Individual Achievement. The students that have gone before you over 45 years have set standards of high achievement, each year contributing to our reputation for Academic, Cultural and Sporting success. Just as importantly we are known as a community school with an emphasis on developing and maintaining appropriate relationships.
However, the most important question for a graduating student is did they get what they wanted? Did they achieve sufficiently to continue on their chosen course? Our feedback from past students is yes they did.
Will that be the same for you?
Your parents and your friends would have the same hope for you as your teachers; each and every one of you to be in education or employment; each and everyone on of you to be where you want to be.
You will get the support of school staff, of your parents and your friends
Every one is on your side.
However, nothing anyone else does to help you will work unless you do.
I reminded you on the first day of this school year that
work started immediately
holidays were over and
it really was time to devote your energies to your studies
have fun.
It is now week four, next week will be half way though term 1.
Before you know it we will be in Semester 1 testing and round the corner will be the end of year twelve.
If you are not careful, year 12 will come and go and some of you will wonder what happened?
Make sure you’re not sitting here in 10 months time with regrets
regrets that you didn’t work hard enough
regrets that you didn’t attend classes every day
regrets that you didn’t participate
regrets that you were too committed to part time work
regrets that you socialised too much
Make sure there are no regrets.
When you look in the mirror in November prior to graduation make sure you like what you see.
I have coached sport in schools every year for the last 35 years.
All of my teams have a number of rules some of which change from time to time.
Two are consistent
Rule number one is “have fun”
Rule number two is “work hard”
I read recently that if you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a sledge hammer. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time; a tremendous whack
In the spirit of that thought and in case you missed it
You can achieve whatever you wish at Cleveland High
If you want to and ifyou make the most of your opportunities
Work hard, have fun, start now, if you haven’t already,
