Cooktown State School Year 12s throw their caps in the air as they prepare to start the next chapter of their lives. Photo: Supplied.
Textbooks away, pens down, exams are over, it’s time to breathe.
Graduation caps flew high last week as Year 12 students in Cooktown and Weipa celebrated the end of their secondary schooling journey.
As graduates prepare for the first chapter of their lives as adults, Cooktown State School school captain and sports captain Lucas Giese told Cape York Weekly what he would miss the most.
“Probably just coming to school and seeing my mates, being able to have that banter with the teachers, and that little bit of leeway as a kid at school,” he said.
“Even though we’ve got to be the older, mature ones, we still had that little bit of leeway being children, but now we’ve got to grow up and act like responsible adults.”
After a final week of water balloon fights, dressing up as teachers and acing his exams, Mr Giese said he now had his sights set on a diesel fitting apprenticeship around town.
He thanked his peers for their time together, and encouraged them all to chase their goals.
“I don’t think I would’ve got through the year if it wasn’t for them; being school captain, having the support from them was pretty good,” he said.
“As long as they’re all going in the right way, none of them are going to turn into little kids that just don’t do anything with their life, and they do all succeed really well, because I know they all can.”
Lucas Giese (right) suits up for formal with friend Rocco Thomason. Photo: Supplied.
Whether going to university, taking a gap year or going straight into work, educators of Cooktown State School, Endeavour Christian College and Western Cape College congratulated the now-past students on their milestone achievement.
Cooktown State School deputy principal senior secondary Danielle Furmage said the class of 2024 was a kind group of students that she would miss dearly.
“One of the hardest parts of being a teacher is losing contact with students after they graduate,” she said.
“We start teaching these students when they are quite young, but in return, end up learning from them and getting to know them as real people with shared interests and laughs.
“Losing contact can mean that we don’t always know what students end up doing, and therefore, are unable to continue to celebrate their successes with or for them.”
She also added they were an incredibly resilient bunch, working hard to maximise their academic outcomes in the face of many obstacles.
“It’s the time when many are turning 18 and responsibilities change; most have part-time jobs and many have family responsibilities, so studying a full course load on top of that requires great self-discipline and motivation,” Ms Furmage said.
“They started the year bouncing back from devasting local flooding, changes in staff and the usual difficulties in living rural and remote.
“It’s the challenges in our life that really shape who we are; our ability to deal with these situations can be when the most growth happens, so don’t be scared of difficult things.”
Over at Endeavour Christian College, the graduating class of three received an extremely personal, red-carpet send-off.
“After a memorable entrance on the red carpet, our Year 12 teachers [and I] shared reflections and encouragements for each graduating student,” principal Jenny Nelson said.
Principal Dan Tonon says Western Cape College graduates will always be a part of the school family, no matter where they end up. Photo: Supplied.
“Video packages of the student’s time at Endeavour Christian College were shown, including congratulatory messages from many of our students.
“As our graduates step into the next chapter of their lives, we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”
Western Cape College principal Dan Tonon addressed 71 students at the graduation ceremony and encouraged them to hold on to the connection made at school as they forged their own paths.
“Each of you have unique talents, strengths, qualities and gifts that will enrich our world in ways only you can,” he said to them.
“You’ll go on to become great things – bull riders, nurses, musicians, artists, engineers, teachers, business owners, and countless other roles that make our communities vibrant and strong.
“Go forward with courage, stay connected to your roots, and know that WCC will always be here, a place where your journey began.”
Tagai State College was contacted to be included in the article, but did not respond by the time Cape York Weekly went to press.
The Endeavour Christian College class of 2024 was small but mighty. Photo: Supplied.
The Cooktown State School Class of 2024. Photo: Supplied.
