We are all looking forward to the holiday break and whilst we look to our break it is important to celebrate our successes. This week we have celebrated the graduation of our Year 12 students, a wonderful group of young people. They will take with them their learnings from St John’s along in peaceful and just relationships along with their scholarship skills.

I have shared with you the Principal's graduation address:

YEAR 12 PRINCIPAL’S GRADUATION ADDRESS

Well Year 12, this year has certainly been unique

You came to your HSC year as a year group that was ready for the challenge.

You had your goals set and you were ready to peak in this, your HSC year.

And then the changes came, bringing with it whole new challenges. The arrival of COVID-19 moved the goalposts.

As a group of young people you have faced many challenges this year and your response to these have been admirable.

In reflecting on role models and those who have been there before, I call to mind a young woman, who once attended St John’s, for whom I have nothing but admiration. 

Turia Pitt was a very successful young lady who had a life plan mapped out and then was caught in a devastating fire and was so very badly burned and her world changed forever.

She also has been inspirational in taking on such extreme challenges.

Turia uses quotes to inspire her and there is one that I often consider….

“A river cuts through rock…. not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”

And recently Turia said: 

I am not the person I thought I would be, I am better.

And it has been your quiet persistence that has brought you to this point. 

You have taken on the challenges and with the support team: your parents, teachers and fellow students, like the river, you have cut through the challenges and continued your journey to this day.

I have been impressed at how quickly and with generous hearts you have taken every opportunity to engage with social justice.

As we have chatted about your future plans I have been overwhelmed at how many of you have gained early entry into universities or other post school options.

You have plans, and some of you are still waiting for that inspiration, but you have given it your best.

And now it’s time to shine.

Our Gospel reading today called you to ‘Let your light shine’.

Here in the Shoalhaven we are blessed with one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. 

For the lucky ones who have managed to be at Jervis Bay on just the right evening you may have witnessed the magical appearance of phosphorescence. 

When the water glows with tiny lights in the darkness. 

It is spectacular to see.

However, it's the science behind the glow that truly tells its story.

Is there anything more beautiful than living light?

Light that is released by living things is called phosphorescence.

What really glows are millions of tiny algae in the water. Each small algae glows with its own light and the collective glow is created by each piece of algae glowing brightly.

I learned recently that apparently all living things glow, even humans.

We have all encountered people who radiate goodness and inhabit a kind of joy. 

People who brim with life, peace and light.

So for our graduates today: I encourage each of you to let your light shine and may your collective glow be a great gift to our world just like the phosphorescence of Jervis Bay.

The vibrant and... slightly frightened Year 7 students who came to us in 2015 are now graduates of St John’s. 

They know how to be People of Peace inspired by a great sense of hope and belief that they can make a difference. 

Hold onto your dreams and create new ones. 

Be thankful for the gifts God gave each of you and use them every day.

We have challenged you to let your light shine and this you have done. 

As you leave St John’s ensure it always glows brightly so that the seeds of peacemakers continue to flourish. 

Be measured not by what you do for a job but who you are: shining lights and people of peace.

Finally

I would like to acknowledge our wonderful young people. They never cease to surprise us with their ingenuity. They take on the challenges and they support each other. I would also like to thank our parents for their ongoing support. Your support enables us to ensure that all our young people are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential.

Following our Year 12 graduation on Wednesday, we have received many notes of gratitude. It is nice to hear so much positive feedback and we thank those who have taken the time to write to us.

Have a restful and fun couple of weeks holiday.

Mrs Sandra Hogan

Principal