On their final school day, the class of 2022 Year 12 students were honoured and celebrated by the entire student body during the Good Shepherd Lutheran College’s emotion charged walk of honour.
Head of senior year students Jo Foley said all students from Prep to Year 11 lined the paths clapping and cheering as the Year 12s soaked up the atmosphere and admiration of their peers.
“Past GSLC graduates describe it as one of the most moving and proud moments of their final days of school life. It is also a very touching moment for parents to be part of the celebrations as they witness their children commence their journey into adulthood,“ she said.
“To music that was a collation of the top songs from each year of their school life, the walk through the campus started and finished at the College Chapel where, in front of their families and friends, they were given blessings for their future.”
The walk of honour has become a tradition at Good Shepherd Lutheran College, since 2009, as a rite of passage for Year 12 students as they come to the conclusion of their school years. Many of the graduating 2022 Year 12s first walked the grounds as young students in the junior years, enjoying the challenges and highlights of their educational journey which would conclude with their graduation before they launch into the next exciting phase of their life ahead.
As they transition from Good Shepherd student to Good Shepherd alumni and prepare to say goodbye to their school days forever, College captain Jolie May reflected on her years.
“It was an amazing journey of growth and development. We have precious memories and friendships that will give us the courage to take the next exciting steps as we all move in different directions,“ she said.
College captain Logan Connors is excited about the future but relished the moment.
“We are here today as the sum of 13 years of change and growth, the sum of 13 years of schooling. While we are done with school forever, and we are moving onto a new period of change and excitement, there is one thing that won’t change, the fact that we will forever be the GSLC class of 2022, with all its precious memories and friendships,” he said.
Jolie, who has been at Good Shepherd since her Prep year, encouraged her peers to be brave, by quoting a Taylor Swift song: “Everything you lose is a step you take. So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment, and taste it…. You’ve got no reason to be afraid. So please embrace this next big change in our lives but don’t forget to take in these last moments and proudly celebrate all that we’ve achieved and experienced together.”
Good Shepherd principal Anthony Dyer said it was always an emotional moment when all the students and staff come out to wish them well.
“There are many celebrations, but none will capture the student experience and essence of GSLC like the warmth expressed at the walk of honour. We are confident that these students will go on to do great things and we look forward to watching their journey and wish them well as they do so,“ he said.
