Christian College graduates celebrate with dignity

YEAR 12 students at Christian College Geelong completed their final day at the school last week in a special event designed to encourage them to “finish with dignity”.

For the past two years, the college has placed an emphasis on ensuring the true meaning of completing school is captured and a special memory was formed that will last long after they have left the classroom.

Head of senior school at the Waurn Ponds campus Graeme Dent said the college wanted to create a feeling of accomplishment and pride that did justice to the dedication the students have shown and the influence they had on the college.

Celebration Day began with a special breakfast where the staff served and socialise with the students.

From there, the students visit the middle school campus in Highton, where they signify reaching the pinnacle of their journey with Christian College by climbing the clock tower and “leaving their mark” in the form of a personalised message written on one of the bricks inside.

Finally, students show their respect to all who have helped them in a chapel service and then say a final farewell with a ‘parade’ down the main entry of the Waurn Ponds campus.

“As they leave the chapel, they parade out led by a piper,” Mr Dent said.

“The rest of the campus – the Year 10 and 11 students – line the route and cheer them on, and at the end of the road their parents are waiting and record the significant occasion. “It creates a really dignified exit for the students and a special moment for the parents, and the whole day it is quite emotional for everyone.”

College captain Briella Egberts said the students had embraced the true purpose of Celebration Day.

“It is such an exciting time. We are finishing with maturity and pride, and all the different things we get to do today make it feel like we have achieved something really special.”