Christmas wishes from a seventeen-year-old me

A Letter to Leaders 002

I have a confession to make.

For the past few weeks, I've been dragging myself around, feeling despondent about the state of the world. My lead-in to Christmas has not been as jovial as I would like.

I have kept a lid on things; most people would not know about my emotions.

Yet, even I didn't realise how bad I was feeling until last night - when my feelings changed dramatically – for the positive.

I attended a secondary college awards night. It was a Monday night out when I questioned whether I had the time or energy to give.

But I'd already committed to my Rotary Club to co-present an award to a year seven student, and I wanted to honour that, given that the award is in memory of one of our late members.

So I went to the beautiful Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, a building with such gravitas and grandeur that my mood began to lift.

I felt happier as I sat with the other official party members, watching the parents and students filing in and the teachers preparing everything on stage.

I'm so glad I went. Overnight, this experience has changed the way I feel about the world.

I feel inspired by watching young people perform music, sing, and accept their academic excellence, endeavour, citizenship, and leadership awards.

It was an extraordinary occasion.

This school has helped educate some of the most disadvantaged students in our area. It's a school perceived by some as not being at the standard of the private and religious schools locally.

Last night, the school community proved that perception is glaringly incorrect.

This includes the school council, the staff that work behind the scenes in various administration and support roles, the teachers, and the campus principals and assistant principals who hold the place’s culture.

I saw a group of students from many different cultural backgrounds who possibly speak other languages mixed with kids whose grandparents grew up in the local community - who have been planted here for many years.

What a fantastic thing to witness.

But do you know what overwhelmed me with emotion most? What made me come home with tears in my eyes was an epiphany.

As I saw the year 12 students, including the dux of the college, accept their awards, I realised that they were the class of 2023 - and I was from the class of 1983.

It hit me that it is 40 years since I graduated from that school. (Yep, that girl, above).

It was a profound moment, a 'glimmer' moment, as Janine Garner and Donna McGeorge CSP would say - one of those special occasions where I got in touch with my feelings about what I have achieved in my life and what these amazing young people will go on to achieve.

History is in the making.

Many of the people who presented awards last night were, in fact, former pupils.

One of my former teachers, now aged 84, presented an award in her family's honour. Seeing her contributing to the next generations in this unique way was beautiful.

If I could speak directly to those students, what would I say?

“Over the next five years, you will come to understand that no one will care which school you went to or the ATAR score you achieved.

No one will care how you behaved at school or what you might feel embarrassed about right now.

All they will see is the adult you have become, the kindness you show to others, and your contribution.

Remember your worth. Remember your values and what drives you. You have earned the right to be here in this beautiful building, with hundreds of people applauding you.

You are outstanding people, and you will go on to do great things in the world just as many of your forebears did.

Stay curious about the world and the people in it. Love well, choose your role models wisely, and always remember, you are worthy.”

Thank you to the incredible school communities nationwide - school councils, families who support young people, administrative staff, teaching staff and their support teams, Principals, and most of all, students.

Our future is in your collective hands, and they are good hands to be in.

Oh, and #justsayin - it’s time to fund government schools properly. They produce extraordinary people.

Have a wonderful week, and if you celebrate the season, have a very safe and happy Christmas.