23 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2018.

Last week was a big week! We started with our badge ceremony and leadership changeover. This was a small, but formal, ceremony where the school community was given an opportunity to farewell and thank the outgoing captains and student leaders for their efforts over the past year. At the same time, we welcomed the newly selected student captains and leaders for 2019. This year’s leaders took their roles and responsibilities very seriously, and were excellent role models for the younger year levels.

Next we had the Formal where everyone took advantage of the chance to dress up for the occasion. Students arrived at the Caloundra Events Centre in an array of different vehicles; hopping out in a variety of gowns and suits. All of the students looked fantastic and their parents and family members made the effort to dress up too. Many families took advantage of the formal photographers and had pictures taken. I’m sure that these would make ideal Christmas presents for family members this year.

Eleven of our Seniors headed off to their beach day on Thursday. Our students were worried that the school had only booked one bus! Shark attack reports at Kings Beach prevented our troupe from entering the water but, regardless, everyone had a great day out.

To round off the week we finished with our traditional graduation ‘Clap Out’ ceremony. Students were presented in their House groups and finished with their war cries. Ms Penney and Mr Jacobsen gave lovely reflection speeches, while Mr McIntosh delighted in re-telling some funny stories from throughout the year. Thank you to these teachers for their time and efforts over this last week, and the past year. Our Year 12 students, and their families, are very appreciative of the time and care that you devote to their children.

Again I would like to express my congratulations to the graduating class of 2018.

Remember, whatever you decide to do in life, do it with passion, commitment and with love.

Good bye and good luck,
Ms Stewart

Sports Carnivals

The Year 12s participated in the swimming, cross-country and athletics carnivals throughout 2018. Here are some photos of their participation:

Presentation Evening

At the 2018 Presentation night, Year 12 students were presented with a variety of awards. The successful recipients were:

Community Service Award – Lady Mabel Burnett - Mikki Doonan

Student Service Award – Cauley Electrics - Mikki Doonan

School Citizenship Award - Zac Pirie

Andrew Powell MP Encouragement Award - Laurelin Dixon

Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award - Isabella Gray

Student Leadership Award - Interact - Rosie Skull

School Leadership Bursary - Easton Lawyers - Isabella Gray

Caltex Best All-Rounder Award - Mikki Doonan

Student of the Year – Principal’s Award - Mikki Doonan

Year 12 dance performers:

Senior Formal

On Wednesday, 15 November, the Senior Formal was held at the Caloundra Events Centre.

Valedictory Speech

Given by Mikki Doonan, on behalf of the Year 12 student body.

After 1825 days, we’ve finally made it.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, family and friends. I’d like to take a moment to welcome you all here tonight, to celebrate thirteen years of schooling, learning, parenting, and teaching. Tonight, we are celebrating so let’s just take a minute to soak that up and take it all in… We are graduating!!!

My name is Mikki Doonan, formally known as Mikolas Doonanbread, and I am here tonight at the ripe old age of seventeen and nine days – not as an inspirational speaker or to give career advice, cause let’s face it, I’ve never really had one – but as this year’s Valedictorian.

For most of the graduates here tonight, we have known each for five years, some a little less, some a little more. Perhaps, right now, you’re sitting beside the person who was right beside you at Prep. Way back then we were worried about losing our hair ties, now our thoughts are drifting towards losing our ties with each other. From building blocks, we’ve progressed to building our dreams. Toothy grins are now smiles of confidence. We’ve gone from dimples, to pimples to simple interest.

But, when I think about us, I think of the humble Rubik’s Cube. Go on, picture a Rubik’s Cube in your mind right now. Imagine its cube-y perfection. Consider its subtle symmetry. Think about how it is complete because it’s the sum of its individual parts. Recognise that it’s stronger because of all the little cubes that link together to give it form and structure. Just like the Rubik’s Cube, we have sides that can be seen by everyone, and also the parts that we keep hidden inside. And, of course, the Cube is one giant puzzle. This is what high school felt like to me. I’ve been constantly trying to figure out high school for the past five years. It’s colourful, and you think it’s going to work out and you have all the moves planned in advance, but then something gets in the way and messes everything up. At times you spend longer in the corner than you expected, or you’re forced into new territory, or you’re pushed up against others that aren’t the same as you, but it’s all about working together to solve the puzzle. It’s been diverse, complex, challenging at times, but ever so rewarding. It has taken years to solve, and we’ve discovered tricks and tips and hacks along the way.

Each year we learnt a little more about ourselves and what makes us unique:

In Year Eight we learnt our way around the school, how to line up, make friends and fit in. Things were unfamiliar to us and we were puzzled about how it all came together. We wandered around in that sea of mass grey uniforms wondering about the point of it all.

By Year Nine, we started to work it out and make some real progress. We became familiar with the system and the twists and turns became easier for us to manage. After all, a Rubik’s Cube isn’t all that much of a challenge when you’ve got an entire cohort pulling a ten-tonne truck down an airstrip screaming, ‘I believe that we can pull!’ That always makes me laugh and sums our grade up perfectly. Passionate, powerful individuals.

When Year Ten arrived, patterns were starting to emerge and we were strategising more. We were getting a bit tired, but we had everything pretty much mapped out. We could begin to see a little glimmer of the end, all sides of the cube coming together, and it was exciting. We dared to dream a little more. Building Bridges, abseiling, trekking, canoeing and career planning helped us with this.

At the start of Year Eleven we began to realise that we were almost done. We also worked out that this is when it all got a little trickier. One false move and a year of hard work and effort could be undone and we’d have to start over. Maybe at times we were feeling a little overwhelmed and infuriated. We had all of the pieces right in front of us, but sometimes they just didn’t seem to want to go together. Leadership became a reality and we looked for the ‘bigger picture’. We considered leadership positions and how we could be the solution to help, and learn from, others. Some people left their puzzle behind to move onto other challenges, others were almost done, and some were still trying to work it all out. Things were a little frantic there for a while, but we needed to just keep moving and twisting.

And then it was time for Year Twelve. What a year it has been! Even though we lost sight of the pattern occasionally, we took our strength from the fact that we were nearly done and that it would be perfect. We knew exactly where to go for help. The solution was still not complete and there were times when we just wanted to throw the cube on the ground and watch it shatter into a million pieces. But then, I remembered how hard I’d worked on it. I thought back over all the people who had helped me along the way. I started to look at the puzzle as a thing of beauty. I made it. It was mine and it was beautiful. I started to dread the end just a little bit, because that would mean I was finished. Would I miss my Cube? What would I do next?

But then, it hit me. It doesn’t really matter what I do next. What any of us do… for we’ve learnt to cook apple turnovers in a kitchen, raise sheep and their adorable babies on acres of green grass with blue sky above, learnt new languages from the other side of the globe, and some will never forget to plus C. Like me, we’ve all learnt life lessons that can be used in every word we say and every step we take; for we’ve all grown as people in both body and mind. Our uniforms finally fit, we know procrastination isn’t our friend, and that functioning on two hours sleep is possible - if not ideal. At the drop of a hat, we could state the functions of cellular organisms, recite the periodic table, create art, dance to our heart’s content, or perform pieces of musical brilliance. Yet, regardless of the knowledge we take with us, the most beautiful thing about high school is the way it gave something to everybody. We each came together to create something that is beautiful, in its own unique way.

And that’s just what we’ve done – we’ve created lives for ourselves. We’ve learnt as much as we can and it’s with passion, courage, conviction, and a strong sense of self, that we take our next steps into the world. This isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions; this is the time to make mistakes and explore. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Forget your car keys. Major in Philosophy because everyone tells us there’s no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind and change it again because nothing’s permanent! It’s time to always treat people with kindness. Shoot for the moon, and land amongst the stars. As a very wise and wonderful woman once said *cough, Mrs Fredericks*; Fall in like – not love. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes so that, someday, when we’re asked what we want to be, we won’t have to guess because we’ll know.

We know to set our expectations high, even if they end up falling down faster than Kody through a roof. We know so many things, and we need to thank our parents, teachers, friends and family for being integral parts of who we are today. To the parents and families, thank you for being there when we needed you. Thank you for not solving the puzzle for us, and for being patient while we made mistakes and messed things up. Thanks for picking up the pieces and for holding us together with your love, determination and compassion – and the endless cups of tea. Thank you to our teachers for showing us how to solve the puzzle, and for letting us work out for ourselves why we needed to. You let us discover new things about the world and opened our eyes to who we could be. Thank you to Ms Stewart, Mr McIntosh and Mr O’Shea for letting us face this challenge, and for allowing us to make mistakes. We know we may have pushed some buttons at times, but look at the perfection we created.

So, let’s do something for ourselves now. Get your phones out and set a reminder: for this day, the 14th of November, 2028. Yes, that right – in ten years. Perhaps you won’t even remember why you have this notification (if they even exist in the future), but maybe you’ll take some time to hang out in your memories for a while. Take another trip down memory lane. You might tell your children all about high school, just so that they can yawn and roll their eyes at you – maybe like we did ourselves. You might think of people you’ve known and memories you’ve made. You might take some time to realise that you are where you are, because of where you’ve been. Take some time to breathe and reflect upon the good and the bad, the hard and the easy, the fun and the boring. Only then, will the puzzle be totally solved.

So, right now, it’s time to look to the future. Whether it involves travel, study or work, just be happy. Whatever happens, be in the moment, be yourself, be confident and be safe. Life is good, we’re good. It’s the twists and turns that make the puzzle so worthwhile.

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2018.

Thank you.

The following were taken in the photo booth at formal:

If anyone would like copies of all the pics taken in the photo booths, please bring a blank USB to Di Ballantyne in D Block.

If you would like to see the photos taken by the MSP photographer on the night, please go to the following website:

Website: www.brissiepix.zenfolio.com
Gallery ID: MSHS18snr

Once viewed, any images you may want can be ordered and paid for directly through MSP.

YEAR 12 CLAP OUT

This is a tradition where the Year 12 students come to school for their final parade which involves the rest of the school, parents and teachers forming a guard and clapping the students on their final exit from Maleny State High School. Students are presented with a Certificate of Completion from the school and the ceremony concludes with a morning tea for Year 12 students and their parents.

Our 2018 school captains were the hosts of clap out.

Welcome

Joel Dauth and Mikki Doonan welcomed everyone.

Joel Dauth:

Good morning everyone: ladies and gents, family, friends and the graduating class of 2018. My name is Joel Daulth, and I am here today alongside my fellow school captain Mikki Doonan to welcome you all to this ceremony, and to reflect upon an epic thirteen years of schooling!

From wearing our oversized grey shirts to now a senior jersey, seeing fellow students change, grow and some mature, watching students come and go, friend groups grow and fall apart, the memories that I take from this school, will stay with me forever. I think it is important to take some time to reflect upon what our family has done over the past five years, and to thank our parents - for getting us where we are today. From our parents dropping us to school, picking us from school, paying for camps and excursions, you’ve been supportive through our journey. There may have been some turbulence and some engine failure, but we continued ‘till this day, when we are sitting here with friends, family and the graduating class of 2018. Please hug and thank your parents for what they have done to this point, because this will carry on into the future.

I’d like to hand over to Mikki to mention the safety precautions of the hall and say a few words.

Mikki Doonan:

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome onboard today to another of MSHS’s graduating ceremonies!

My name is Mikki Doonan, and I am here to ensure you have an enjoyable and safe time this morning by firstly going through some general safety announcements.

Please note that exits are located at the front, back and at each side of the building, and that mobile devices should be turned off, or on silent mode for the duration of the ceremony.

In the event of an emergency, a life jacket is located under your seat. To put it on, place it over your head. Clip on the waistband and pull it tight. Please do not inflate it while you are still inside.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the ceremony.

A little less than five years ago, when I was twelve, I hobbled into this exact hall two weeks after the start of Term One on electric blue crutches with red reflectors; having had an unfortunate run-in with some steps… let’s just say, the steps won. This was my first day of high school. Fun, scary, exciting.

Accompanied by my crutches, my oversized backpack and my ladybird lunchbox, my mum snapped photos and I was excited and scared simultaneously. From the beginning, I loved it. I really did. I loved school. I met a good friend called Joel that day; not much has changed.

That said, it was a fruit bowl of emotions and people – a brand new experience for all of us! We went from being the big fish of a small pond to the small fish of a lake! We may have waded our way into it slowly, cautiously and precariously, or, maybe at times, we just straight up bomb dived feet first into it all. Everyone did something to make it their own.

From that day, here at Maleny State High School, we’ve met the most amazing people, done the most amazing things, and been to the most yeet – worthy places. We have all had the opportunity to explore and discover things about ourselves, each other, and the environment in which we live. And we must thank all those who’ve played a part in our lives, been there for us, and become our best friends: parents, teachers, friends, family. Thank you, a million times, thank you.

Here at Maleny, we've had so many firsts: first dances, first dates, first concerts, first cars. We’ve had “High School Musical”, camps, clubs, excursions, classes, athletics days and swimming carnivals. And now, five years later, when I walked into this hall for the last time alongside my fellow school captains and 110 other young, intelligent, creative and beautiful individuals, I couldn’t help but smile – as corny as it might be – because I am so happy, but sad, to be graduating alongside you all today. Today concludes our year of lasts: last classes, last exams, last bells, last lunches. There is a lot to say goodbye to: people, places, clubs, school families – and finally my ladybird lunchbox, but a lot of memories have been made, stories told, games played and an overall journey of epic proportions. But we mustn’t forget – there is a lot to welcome into our lives too. Times have changed from our first days of school, and they continue to do just this as we move on to the next chapter of our lives. We’ve been living in this lake of ours, but I’m certain there’s an ocean waiting out there for all of us. We are all in this together so, let’s go fish! Congratulations class of 2018!

Thank you for flying Maleny High. The seatbelt sign has now been switched off. Please enjoy the remainder of your graduation destination!

Ms. Deborah Stewart gave her farewell speech to the graduating class of 2018.

The students were presented by their House Leaders and received a Graduation Certificate.

BUNYA

MELLUM

OBI

Flexi students were presented by Jo Rickards.

Cutting of the Cake

As part of their last official duties, the School Captains were asked to cut the cake for the Graduating Class of 2018.

YEAR LEVEL COORDINATORS

Ms Sharon Penney and Mr Wade Jacobsen gave their final speech to the Year 12 students.

Farewell

Isabella Gray, Neive Vinall and Zac Pirie ended the Clap Out with their farewells to the Graduating Class of 2018.

Neive Vinall:

I’m not going to lie. I love school. Which could come as a surprise to some, as my teachers, friends and family can vouch for how much I really, truly, did not like school. It wasn’t everything that made me dislike school, only certain bits like, well, waking up early, taking classes and actually paying attention in classes. I’m sure I’m not the only one who can relate to this. But when the 27th of January rolled around and as I dressed in my uniform for the last first day ever, I thought ‘Crikey, this year is gonna fly by!’ And, here we are, on Friday the 16th of November, 2018, the day that we say goodbye to this chapter of our lives. It is the day that we exit our childhood and enter the big wide world of adulting. The day that we acknowledge our efforts and celebrate our achievements.

But for a minute let’s take it back to Monday the 27th of January, 2014. The day that our Maleny State High School journey began. We congregated outside of the hall, a sea of nervous bodies, drowning in grey shirts so big they looked more like dresses. Some had tears in their eyes, others smiled so much it was intimidating. Older students rushed passed, excited to be back with their friends while we stood there, absolutely stunned by the hustle and bustle of high school. Yet by term two, we were adding to the hustle and bustle, feeling comfortable and at home within a mere ten weeks. But that’s the special thing about Maleny, it welcomes you into its friendly community and makes you never want to leave.

This is mainly due to the people who have become some of our best friends, our teachers. You have never let us down: from Mr Jones’ epic fails to Tuesday spelling with Ms Fredericks to Finska instead of maths and QCS practice, to endless games of ‘my little white pony.’ We haven’t always played easy, but you managed to get us under control. You have helped us become the young adults we are and you will be the reason that we miss school. So, a bit of advice for y’all, be kind to your teachers, it will end up being the best decision you’ve ever made.

Isabella Gray:

This is us! A bunch of talented, driven, unforgettable teenagers who are ready to conquer the world. It might not feel like it, but we are ready. We have made unbreakable bonds, built support systems for ourselves, developed our own voices and values, learnt what our fears are and how to overcome them, and we’ve all been identified as dolphins, kangaroos, wombats or eagles. These groups don’t define us though… the rebellious nature of a kangaroo doesn’t mean it can’t lead. The harmonious dolphin will fight and protest against injustice. The eagles are not only analytical, but also creative, and the humble wombat clings to structure, but every wombat has the power to change and build the structure it is influenced by.

We have been given so many opportunities to find our place, and yet, none of us fit in. We stand out. Our five years here have taken us from crawling to walking. Some of us know which direction to walk in, and some of us are still figuring it out. But we’ve made something of ourselves here. We are leaving behind a legacy of passion, humour, and enthusiasm, and taking with us our drive, friendships, and love.

Now, I’m supposed to stand here and hype everyone up: tell you all that we’ve made it. We’re about to head out into the world as the best people we can be. But we know that already. We know how far we’ve come. We have no idea what we’re getting ourselves into, but wherever we go in the future, we are graduating as Maleny State High School kids, and that’s something we can be proud of.

Zac Pirie

5. 1756. 42,144. 2,528,640. 151,718,400. These numbers may have little to no meaning to many of you. But to the odd one hundred and ten people seated here today, these numbers mean everything. Some of you may not know what they mean now, but I’m sure you’ll put the pieces together soon enough. Everything we’ve done have led to this point. Every lesson, every question, and even every RTC referral has made the most amazing group of people that anyone could ask for. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point, and finally, we’re here. After five years, or 1756 days, or 42,144 hours, or 2,528,640 minutes or 151,718,400 seconds, we’ve made it. The graduating class of 2018.

And soon, we’ll be walking out the doors of the hall for one last time. We’re heading out into the big wide world, ready to yeet our way through life, and most of us have no idea what we’ll do. The very existence of the dreaded question we’ve been asked by adults for years now, “What do you want to be” or “Where do you want to go”. We’ve all given different responses. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that you can’t make a career out of being a professional Yu-Gi-Oh player, so I’ll have to find something else. But I’m sure many of you have been in a similar situation before, so I’ll try asking the question. What DO you want to be? Where DO you want to go? Maybe you don’t know, and that’s ok. After all, no matter how tall, small, smart or Logan you are, we all have a place in this world that we need to find. I think it strikes true when I say, “We’re all in this together”, and indeed we have been able to “Bop to the Top”.

Our teachers have worked so incredibly hard to push us through our time here. Whether they actually cared about us or, as soon as we walked through the front gates as little grade eight students they just wanted to get rid of us, is another question. But I think it’s clear that we’ve all developed unbreakable bonds with our teachers. They’ve become our closest friends and we will miss you all.

It appears we have begun our descent, so please stow your tray tables, raise all windows and move your seats into the upright position. Ladies and Gentlemen, the graduating of 2018, you have finally arrived your graduation destination.

I’d like to thank Ms. Sharon Penny for being the most amazing Maths teacher and house leader that anyone could ask for. After three years of your guidance, your teaching and your endless stories about your chickens, my respect and appreciation for you is equal to x approaching infinity.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, remember: have fun, look after each other, be safe and make great choices.

GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK TO THE YEAR 12 CLASS OF 2018

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