Video: The End – My closing speech as 2013 Claremont College, Girl School Captain

2013 was an amazing year for me. I was blessed with so many opportunities from a great school and great teachers. Along with my fellow students, we learnt, laughed and grew.

As the girl School Captain, I was proud to be able to lead Claremont College, alongside with super sporty Finn Tanish. It was easy because I was lucky to be in a year where all of my fellow students were very motivated. I also represented Claremont College outside our school grounds with my principal Mr Doug Thomas on many occasions. The highlights were the Anzac Day ceremony and Speech Day. Although I did a lot of speeches to the school students and to visitors, I think the most important lesson I learnt was to lead by example, rather than just words, especially to the younger kids. It was a great year of learning to lead.

Firstly I would like to thank my support teachers Mrs Wyatt and Mrs Bockos and my extension teachers Mrs Meg Thompson and Mrs Stephanie Affleck. It is good to get my weekends back.

A special thank you to my two wonderful Year 6 teachers who really showed me the importance of working as a team, every day and all year. Thank you Mrs Betbeder and Mr Larby who really bought out the best in every one of us.

I’m sad to say goodbye and I will think of my days at Claremont forever.

This exciting year ended with our final speech at our Year 6 Farewell Graduation ceremony that had all teachers and the students and parents of Year 5 and Year 6. Finn and I both wrote our speeches ourselves as a reflection of our years at Claremont College. During my talk I must admit that I felt emotional and when I saw Mrs Betbeder with tears in her eyes, I nearly cried myself.

I was proud to give this final goodbye to a school that has given me so much.