Dress-up, don’t muck-up

By Kath Gannaway
DRESSING-UP, not mucking-up was the way Upper Yarra Secondary College’s Year 12 students celebrated the end of their six years of secondary education.
The dress-up day, a more relaxed follow-on to the formal VCE dinner for students, teachers and family on Wednesday night, saw superheroes hugging princesses, a bride and groom, lots of pirate lads and ladettes … even a violet crumble bar!
The celebration was a reward not only for a challenging final year, but for six years of perseverance and participation in school activities.
Year 12 coordinator Michael Bray was immensely proud of the students … and he said so.
Summarising the graduating class of 2008 he said they were funny, enthusiastic, colourful, diligent and always cheerful.
“They are also resilient and aspirant and didn’t give up on their studies,” he said.
The strong bond he said they had developed by working together and supporting each other was on display.
“They support each other in class, in the common room, with barbecues, during the various camps such as the orientation camp and outdoor education camps and through each of their assessment tasks and exams,” he said.
“Every one of these students has earned the respect of their teachers, the college and the Upper Yarra community.
“They have set their goals and achieved them with purpose – perhaps for further study, self-fulfilment, a traineeship or apprenticeship or to better serve their community,” he said.
Mr Bray said many, through sheer hard work and determination, had overcome significant hardships and issues that could have easily stopped them from reaching their goals.
The next big challenge for the students is their VCE exams, which start next week.