I cannot express how proud and lucky I feel to be speaking to you all on this occasion. Today, is a day for celebration. A day for celebrating the hard work and achievements of our students and teachers, a day for celebrating the school careers of my fellow classmates and school leavers, and it is a day for celebrating Columba- the school that we are all so lucky to be part of- students, teachers, board members and parents alike. But for everyone in my year group- today, mixed in with this celebration and excitement at the prospect of leaving, will have also been one of the saddest days of our lives yet. We are a group of close, kind, intelligent and vivacious young women- who are all bonded by our shared experiences at this school that will be deeply missed.

When I first came to Columba, with braces and my hair slicked back with hairspray, the one thing I was most excited about was getting my own Mac Book Pro. And in my first tour of the school all I can remember is how beautiful the buildings were and how badly I wanted to have a blazer full of badges like my tour guide.

However when I look back on my eight years here, of course I still appreciate those things, but the memories of school that stick out to me now, are of socials and formals with my friends, school camps, house events and intense competition against our teachers or even just this very last week of school in the Year 13 house - moments with the girls and teachers that I have grown to love.

But amidst all of these beautiful, nostalgic memories- you forget about the other moments; the petty fights about seating arrangements, the heated arguments about formal dresses, or even the full-fledged punch ups on Year 9 ski-camp. We forget, and we don’t like to talk about- the moments that aren’t very nice or aren’t very graceful. However it’s no secret that all people, especially all of us teenagers, have ups and downs and lapses of judgement. And because of this our teachers this year, in assemblies and chapel, have made a real effort to remind us about how we should and shouldn’t treat others. And I think there is huge value in these lessons, when you consider the impact they can have on your high school experience as a whole.

You see Columba will undoubtedly give you an excellent education; we all have dedicated teachers and families that support us, wonderful opportunities to try new things, and a beautiful environment in which we get to do so. But the one thing that Columba, that no school in fact, can just give to you.. are life long friends and a caring, tight-knit year group- this is something that you actually have to work hard at, and it is something I know everyone in Year 13 can attest to us having.

This is where I want to congratulate my year group. Because I think we deserve to be proud of the inclusivity, and friendliness and laughter that I see every day in the Yr 13 House. And given that we’ve already started organising our reunion in 2030- I know that I’m leaving school with a friendship base of 71 empowered and inspired young women who will indefinitely all do great things.

But I think its important that all of us students, as young women, can recognise the broader importance in this. Recognise that life outside of Columba, isn’t going to always be the same safe and incredible environment we are all used to. We live in a world where sexist undercurrents subtly try to stop women from achieving their goals. Attention is increasing around issues like the Gender pay gap, and the sexual harassment and abuse that too many women face in every single industry- but this is still the world that we are all entering. Ultimately, your years here at Columba will be some of the safest and most vibrant you’ll ever get- and so why not make the most of this and spend those years being kind and building life long friendships. What I am truly grateful for, is the confidence I have in entering this world, knowing I have the full support and friendship of the all girls I have grown up with here at school. So I urge all of you, who still have time here, do not waste it and just always remember what they use to tell us in primary school “to treat others how you’d want to be treated.”.

This morning, when I realised I was putting on my uniform for the last time ever, I was extremely emotional and couldn’t help but think back to the first time I’d tried it on as a ten year old. The college has had the biggest impact on me and my life possible- and thus I am truly grateful to all of you who’ve been a part of it.

So to all of the parents, sending your daughter to Columba doesn't happen without some sort of sacrifice and a belief in the education that so many of us girls take for granted. So thank you- none of us could come here without you.

To all of our teachers, I don’t think I could overstate just how invested and passionate each of you are in your subjects and your students- and this is so clear in the way you interact with us and help us achieve great things in your classes. Classes that over the years often morph into gossip sessions and lessons about life- that us Seniors know all about- and are thankful for.

Ms Reithmaier, you have embodied grace this year and held an unprecedented role in maintaining the school’s special character and standards of excellence- under some stressful circumstances for yourself and other senior staff members. We all truly appreciate what you have done as a teacher for so long and as Acting principal- especially the fact you continued to teach the Year 13 life skills class this year as well. You are sincerely, a role model for everyone here and I look up to you dearly.

To Ms Andrew, our dean and second Mother, the constant devotion, concern, helpfulness and love you have provided to us over the years has shaped our experiences here immeasurably. Whether it was through your supportive emails, the marshmallows and biscuits you sometimes left in the house, or just through one of your hugs- every single one of us has been touched by your kindness, and we are all eternally grateful.

To all of the girls, just remember that your experience here is completely what you make it, and over before you know it- so be proud that you go to Columba and treat others with the same respect that you should have for yourself and for your school.

And finally, to the Year 13’s- I am so proud of us and what we have achieved here, and more than that I am so excited to see what we will all go on to do, tonight and in the future. I think you all know that we have been part of something very special as group here- and I know that our legacy will be one of kindness, fun, and unconditional love for each other and for our school. There’s a proverb that says "birds of the same feather, will always flock together”, and so just remember, that tonight may be our last at Columba- but we will always be doves and we will always be connected in that way.

Thank you.