Orginally Published December 6 2022
THEIR final three years of education were hindered by a pandemic and their final weeks impacted by a flood, and yet none of this stopped the Year 12 students of Kerang Christian College.
While the Year 12 valedictory was delayed by the flood, November 28 finally saw the students gather together and enjoy a sit-down dinner with family and college staff while reminiscing over their 13 years of schooling.
Many people acknowledged during the night how the floods impacted on the students’ exam weeks with many having to find alternative sites to sit their exams.
Thankfully, their head of secondary Michelle Cafe spent hours working with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority to find other options for the students. The VCAA’s flexibility meant students were able to sit at multiple centres and receive a derived exam score, if needed.
The college said it was incredibly grateful for the generosity of Boort District School, Swan Hill College, Cohuna Secondary School and Victory Christian College for opening their doors to their students’ sitting exams.
During the valedictory, school captains Sarah Copland and Georgia Ferguson acknowledged the many other people who helped them through their education.
"I would just like to give a big thank you to our primary school teachers,” Ms Ferguson said. “Personally, primary school was my favourite part of my schooling and you guys are to thank for this.”
The students had particular praise for their home group teacher from Year 10-12, Patrick "Feato" Featonby.
"Any time any of us appeared upset, he would notice, and he would always ask us about it. So, thank you Feato for just caring," Ms Copland.
Yet, both girls acknowledged it was a team effort from staff.
"Every single teacher or worker at Kerang Christian College has shown us what it’s really like to care for a person," Ms Copland said.
"They have managed to make this place feel safe, and like our own little community."
Principal Wayne Barker said the evening was a chance to celebrate all of the learning the students have achieved.
He said there were many forms of learning from reading, writing and mathematics to life skills such as driving and managing conflict.
"Most importantly, it’s learning what it means to be a good human being, a person who can make a difference for good in society, wherever they may be," he said.
Mrs Cafe acknowledged the students’ final years could only be described as "the least typical secondary years we’ve experienced".
Yet, in this, she said each one of them had refused to be derailed by it, instead their resilience shined through when it came time to make tough decisions regarding their examinations.
"Each of you was able to work through your own set of circumstances and make the right decision for yourself," she said.
"And here we are at the end of 2022, sending you off into the world, a group of tenacious yet gracious young people who can navigate the storms."
