Examinations and Congratulations

From the Senior Years

The last fortnight has included several significant celebratory events for Year 12 students, parents, and carers, beginning with the Year 12 breakfast with students, parents, and carers, followed by the Year 12 Final Assembly and the joyful Year 12 Valedictory Mass and Dinner. Graduating from high school marks a significant transition—not just an end, but a beginning. It is a time to celebrate year-long learning, persistence, friendships, and personal growth.

The compliments for our Year 12 students at the Year 12 Final Assembly have been free-flowing. It was terrific to welcome parents and carers of current Year 12 students on Monday, 21 October, to celebrate and acknowledge the personal achievements of each individual Year 12 student. This is a new initiative that I look forward to continuing in the future.

Additionally, graduating as a St Aloysius College alumnus is an important achievement. As a Mercy school, the value of hospitality extends to all Year 12 students in the coming years, and it is important that they stay connected to the school community and continue to contribute to its legacy. We are thrilled to welcome all graduating students to the Old Aloysians' Association, the College’s vibrant alumni network. We have contact information students have provided the College, however if they should ever need to update details, they're welcome to do so at any time. Don’t forget to join the OAA Facebook Community to keep up with news and events.

As senior students in VCE are preparing for their examinations, managing performance during this period is important as a rite of passage to gaining resilience, time management, and rising to the occasion of academic performance—skills and mindsets that extend beyond high school years. Reflecting on this, it has been highly encouraging to see many of the Year 12 students preparing on campus, attending VCE classes, and hearing positive reports from teachers that students are submitting practice exam responses for feedback.

Notably, 40 of 69 Year 12 students sat a timed Unit 3–4 English exam on Tuesday, 22 October, which was strong preparation ahead of the commencement of the VCAA examinations on Tuesday, 29 October. I remind all students of the VCAA examination conditions around academic integrity and wish them all the best in their exams.

As Year 12 students exited the final English VCAA examination, there were a range of emotions: relief, satisfaction, quiet confidence, and amazement at how much they were able to write. Some candid commentary included:

  • “I’m so happy with what I wrote. That was the best persuasive essay that I’ve written.” (Charlize G, 12B)
  • “I’m so happy—just relief.” (Amelie D M, 12C)
  • While Alyssa J simply mimicked Lleyton Hewitt’s trademark “Come on” hand gesture.

I wish all students the best in the coming weeks of examinations and that they find the balance in all key components of their revision: refinement of key skills, clarification of content, openness to feedback, and balancing sleep, exercise, and social connectedness during the examination period.

Tom Crowle
Senior Years Leader