The Final Thank You
Acting Head of School, Graeme Kightley, delivered a moving speech at St Andrew’s Year 12 Valedictory Service. The strong bond he has developed over the years with the now graduating cohort was no more explicit than in the poignant words he shared so readily with the students. This is his thank you to them.
It’s not always the Champions that make the difference. A champion team will always beat a team of champions.
I have been looking forward to and dreading this moment for many weeks. Looking forward to it because it gives me the opportunity to thank a group of young people who have inspired us all and to acknowledge the contributions you (the Class of 2009) have made to our (your) School. Dreading it because once again we say goodbye to people we have built such a strong relationship with. In saying that I must also say that it is an absolute privilege to have the opportunity to give this address, and I am particularly thankful to Mr Phillip Heath for being with us today. I know that this is an emotional time for us all.
When sitting down to write this address I turned to two of my great loves, Christ and Sport and I would ask your indulgence as I try to marry the two in a tribute to the Class of 2009. At the end of the 1984-85 cricket season NSW played against Queensland in the Final of the Sheffield Shield at the Sydney Cricket Ground. I had keen interest in the game because one of the NSW players was a young man, David Gilbert, that I had both taught and coached at my first School. He was an opening bowler who went on to play Test cricket for Australia and whilst he did score one first class century he was batting number 11 in the NSW side. It was a great game of cricket and came down to late on the last day with NSW batting to win the game. Peter Clifford NSW Middle Order Player was batting well, passing 50 and guiding NSW to victory when the champion Queensland opening bowler Carl Rachaman dismissed the NSW number 10 batsman, with 17 runs left to win. David Gilbert the last NSW batsman strode to the wicket meeting Peter Clifford half way. Faced with the task of scoring the necessary 17 runs to win the Shield, David said to Peter “I've been waiting all season for this, don’t stuff it up on me now!” (an audacious statement coming from the number 11, particularly when Clifford was 60 NO at the time). The point of my story is: This is your day, just as it was David’s. Seize the opportunity and enjoy it. It is about you today and we welcome the opportunity to share it with you. Incidentally, David hit with winning runs, finishing 10 NO and NSW won the Shield.
In turning to God’s word I could not go past the passage in Roman’s 12, with the analogy of one body with many parts, all with separate functions and when combined form a magnificent creation. The “Class of 2009” is one body, made up of 210 parts which have combined to produce many outstanding achievements and make a unique mark on our community. The passage in Roman’s 12 goes on to say that members of the body have different gifts according to God’s grace, and we should use them. Verse 6 to 8 reads: Having gifts that differ according to the Grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
The list of achievement of this year group is endless, but we should recognise as many as possible:
· 46 of the cohort came into Year 7 from our Primary School.
· You represent the largest group of Year 12 students ever gathered at SACS.
· You have performed outstandingly well at the School Certificate and our expectations of your HSC results are very high.
· You have led the student body with great energy, passion and skill.
· You have achieved both individually and collectively on the sporting field.
· You have performed with great distinction in Musical Theatre, with Guys and Dolls and Paris being highlights. 31 Year 12 students were involved in Paris.
· You have travelled overseas and performed at some amazing venues.
· You have further advanced our Girls’ Sport.
· You have led the most successful SACS Athletics team ever, with the Girls winning Division 2 ISA.
If you look closely at these achievements it is the individual that makes the difference and I want to focus on some of those individuals and extend my thanks.
To our House Captains my thanks to you for the role you played in engendering enthusiasm in to all events. GALA Day and the Athletics Carnival were highlights for me. To Lauren and Asher, I extend my thanks for your compassion and drive and for emphasising the importance of servant hood. To Ali and Ned, my thanks for leading by example both on and off the sporting field. To Emma and TK, my thanks for keeping us all aware of the ever increasing importance of the creative side of the School. To Faf and Heather our special thanks for the wonderful leadership of the student body and in particular the strong messages you have given which have focussed on our core values. You have always been so well prepared and articulate. Who can forget Faf and his Pokemon friends and the importance of relationships or Heather running through the park being attacked by magpies, and how we should not judge others and take steps to help rather than look on. To the Captains of our various teams Ned, Alistair, Jessica Ashcroft, Jessica Robertson, Darcy, Rebecca Gammel, Benjamin, Imogen, Sam, Ewen, Carla, Hugh, Rebecca Scott, Paris, Samuel - thank you. All these young leaders are our Champions, they are the Jarryd Haynes and FuiFui Moimoi’s of our Class of 2009, but they did not do it alone and I would like to acknowledge those behind the scenes that make the difference.
Let us not forget those young men who served the School and Cathedral as choristers. To Ed Horman, Ed Robinson, Anthony, Jackson, James, Reg and Jamie - thank you. To those young women who have sung in the Matins Service each Tuesday morning – Heather, Rachel, Rebecca, Marni, Fran, Ally, Nadia, Elise, Hannah and Jen - thank you. To Guy Verg Wallace and his amazing film making talent (of which we were reminded on Wednesday) - thank you. To many musicians who have represented us and entertained so many with their wonderful skills - thank you. To Rebecca and Emily for sharing my vision for Cambodia - thank you. To Max for his fundraising for Cambodia – thank you. To Ned for his initiative and passion to set up links with a School in Uganda - thank you. To those who entertained us in Paris – Hannah, Gavin, Oscar, Reg, TK, Jackson, Gen, Edward, James and Rick - thank you.
To all those who put on the “blue and white” - thank you. To the 1st XV and that memorable win in the mud at Strathfield – thank you. To the 1st XI Football team and the outstanding efforts throughout the last two seasons – thank you. To Michael, James and the Tech Crews - thank you. To my EES class, who have been a great joy to teach, and my refuge – thank you. To all who have shown such wonderful academic leadership in the classroom – thank you. To the Cru Leaders and all others who have shared their faith – thank you. To James Beaver, Zac Zampson, Ned Littlewood, Noah Shirley, and Al Hall – it will be a long time before we see your like again on our Sporting fields – thank you. I could go on and on, and I know there are so many more that I have not recognised - for that I apologise.
One of the features of past addresses of this nature has been revisiting some of the comments made by students at enrolment. It is a pity that we could not find any from our girls as St Andrew’s was not then fully coeducational. Did you know that Zac Simpson’s favourite hobbies were Soccer (surprise, surprise), and Art and that when he finishes his education he wants to be a millionaire. Or that Galin Wilkins wanted to be a US Marine and Peter Limnios an Astronomer. Scott Lawson was into digging tunnels and also had 1 dog, 2 cats, 1 rabbit and 1 guinea pig to clean up after. Henry Ladd liked all his subjects and his two favourite TV programmes were the Simpsons and the News. Michael Griffin was also into pets: having a dog, fish and budgies and the thing that has not changed “I would like to work with computers and their programmes.” Robbie Sharp had a cat named Dusty, enjoyed surfing and rock collecting, wanted to be a Mining Engineer and his regular tasks at home finished with “sometimes Dad lets me mow the lawns” – a scary thought. James Beaver also had lots of pets; a dog, a cat, some fish and a tortoise. When asked for additional information about himself he said: “I am a kind and gentle person.”
Before I finish with the individuals, however, I would like to recognise some of our year that have been real inspiration. These young people have overcome so much to simply reach this point. I will not go into details, but to Nic, Lucy, Anthony, Chris, Francis, Amy, Darcy, Jordan, Robbie, Charles, Jacob, Justin and so many more that I have not mentioned, you have my greatest admiration. Finally to the support staff, to the parents and staff who have nurtured and supported you through your 13 years of education and who proudly share this day with you - Thank you.
You have been a champion team and you have used your gifts well, but when you walk through those Western Doors at the end of this Service the team disassembles. A season is over. You head out as individuals and whilst I urge you not to forget your School, I also encourage you to join other teams, take your gifts and use them well. Serve others in the name of Christ. Take a risk, love others and above all make a difference. May God bless you all.
