Gloucester High's year 12 students finally said goodbye to the school and their classmates at the school's 2021 formal assembly.
Five weeks later than normal due to COVID causing majority disruptions to the HSC exam schedule, this bunch of legends celebrated the end of a monumental two years on Thursday, December 9 in the school hall with a small crowd of family.
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COVID-restrictions meant the assemblies across all the years were held separately throughout the day. Parents were only permitted to attend the year 12 formal assembly.
Taking out top academic honours for the class of 2021 were:
First in year 12: Chloe Edstein - First in English Advanced, English Extension1, Modern History, History Extension and Visual Arts; second in Mathematics Advanced.
Second in year 12: Danielle Channon - First in Food Technology, Mathematics Advanced and equal first i n Chemistry; second in Biology and PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education)
Third in year 12: Jai Gilmore - First in Construction, Mathematics Extension 1 and Physics; second in Software Design and Development; third in Mathematics Advanced
Principal Trudy Edman addressed the graduating year, speaking about last year's theme of 'challenges' due to COVID, making this year's theme all about 'courage'.
Captains Danielle Channon and Hayden Reid gave a final speech before the special awards were handed out by Phil Dowle and Mik Wisely. The presentation started with the Student Representative Council awards given to captains Danielle and Hayden, vice captains Keira Macdonald and Amy Shultz; and SRC members Makayla Battams, Lucy Corbett and Courtney Webeck.
The special awards were:
Sarah Schiffmann - Ampol Award for the 'Best All Rounder' and Hunter School Sports Association.
Danielle Channon - Reuben F Scarf Award for Commitment, University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Award and Derek Kerry Memorial Science Award
Chloe Edstein - Gloucester High School Award and the GHS Black Opal Award
Lucy Corbett - Gloucester High School Service Award
Courtney Webeck - Gloucester High School Service Award and Hunter School Sport Association
Marlene Sadler - Raymond Burton Memorial Prize
Will Germon - John Tight Memorial Prize
Allison Simon - Turner Freeman Award
Amy Shultz - P and C Ag Sub-Committee Agricultural All Rounder Award and NSW Premier's Sporting Challenge Medal
Hannah Higgins - Tim Westcott Memorial Award for Drama
Riko Fitzgerald - Mid Coast Connect Vocation Education and Training (VET) Award and Australian Defence Force long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award
After the presentation, Hayley Connell and Lynelle Hester said farewell from the year 11s, while Elyssa Keen and Jorja Beard shared a few goodbye comments from the year 12's younger siblings in the junior years.
Year 12 adviser Mike De Angelis said a farewell the students who were graduating from the 'worst year in memory'.
He imparted words of wisdom, telling the students that it's okay to not know what you want to do but best to "know what you don't want to do".
As Mr De Angleis was only the adviser for half the year, former GHS teacher (who had been with the students since year seven), Scott Davis (who was unable to attend) had teacher Colin Elliott read his speech. Mr Davis congratulated the students on surviving an 'awful year'.
SRC members Lucy Corbett and Courtney Webeck presented the school with $350 from the class of 2021 to help the school complete renovations to its front entrance before the academic awards, graduation certificates and school reports were handed out the 32 students who graduated.
Anne Keen
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
Anne has been a journalist with the ACM (Australia Community Media) since 2016. She primarily works at the Gloucester Advocate but also contributes to the Manning River Times.
