Can you believe it? The Class of 2023 are now halfway through their Year 12 studies.

You’ve reached that point where the HSC starts to emerge on the horizon. Where some of the experiences of your final year of studies start to become less of something you dreamed about when you were bright-eyed year 7s, and more of a reality. But I want to remind each and every one of you that while studies are undeniably important, our personal wellbeing is paramount.

The final year of high school can start to create overwhelming feelings for us all. The weight of expectations, both our own and others, can start to build. It is natural to want to remain driven and determined to achieve our absolute personal best during this time, but more than anything, it is most important we show love to our friends and selves during this time.

The wellbeing of ourselves and our peers is not a secondary concern to our academic achievement, but instead, the foundation on which we will be capable of building our success.

So what are my challenges to you?

1. Practice some positive self-talk - celebrate the wins (big and small) and be realistic about the outcome of the things that we don’t get as right as we hoped. Ultimately, these small failures won’t matter in the long run.
2. Check-in with each other. Often those we see as the happiest in our day to day, and those that always support us, can be the ones who need our love and support the most. Check-in where you can.
3. Talk to someone in your year group you wouldn’t normally talk to. The thing I love the most about your Year Group is the kindness and lack of division that exists within the year. Let’s push that further. Try to get to know those you may not have otherwise thought to. Practice being kind to others, even if you see the world differently to them.
4. Engage in the side quests. I know that sounds silly to some, but feeling a sense of belonging in your year group, and engaging in all those little things that make your last year of school special will only help you feel like the people here mean something to you when you leave.
5. LOVE YOURSELF - rip away from the books when you need it and do whatever it is that fills your cup

You’re halfway there Year 12! We believe in you more than anything! Hold tight, and as always, reach out to us whenever you need us.

Mr. Quaglia

P.S - We need some shout outs!!

1. I’d like to shout out the amazing Mr O’Neill, who has put together the Year 12 Information Website. Check E-News and Google Classroom for this incredibly hub of information.
2. Xavier G, who ran 100km in 24 hours to raise money for men’s mental health - that’s more than many of us run in our lives
3. Joseph T, Amelie T who are all doing something wild with their hair for the world’s greatest shave in order to raise money for Luekemia
4. Jonas O - who was crowned the fastest boy in the school?! He’s lucky Mr Cooper wasn’t allowed to compete…
5. Murphy F - who took time to assist a Year 9 student access the wellbeing space
6. The many students who came in during the holidays to make progress on their majorworks (Art, Drama, Society and Culture)
7. Amelie T who has entered into the Poetry in Action Young Poet’s competition
8. All the legends who’ve done great things who I haven’t mentioned

See an assortment of photos below!