Vale 2021 & 2022

from Open Gate - Summer 2023

Upcoming Reunions

VALE 2021 AND 2022

Vale 2021

While Vale 2021 was celebrated in a different way to earlier years, it was still a very special opportunity to acknowledge the Year 12 Class of 2021 who had experienced many challenges due to lockdowns. Their resilience and their support of each other was acknowledged by Principal Maureen Ryan in her speech at the Graduation Ceremony:

“This incredible group of girls has journeyed though the majority of their secondary schooling responding in some way to a crisis – drought, fires, floods, Covid, and the impact on their final years. I believe strongly that the impact of all of these events over their final four years has helped shape them into the incredible agents of change who are sitting before me.

As a cohort, you will be remembered as being courageous, fearless, resilient, compassionate and confident and, perhaps the greatest accolade I can give to you, is the kindness you demonstrate to each other.”

We were delighted that parents were able to attend the Ceremony and then join the Class of 2021 for lunch at Doltone House. Vale 2022 was celebrated on 23 September. It was particularly special this year as it was the first Vale since 2019 where the whole school community, including parents, were invited to join in person in all the celebrations. The night before was an opportunity to celebrate the 24 Year 12 boarders, many of whom have been boarders since Year 7, at a special dinner.

The Vale Mass was celebrated by Monsignor Tony Doherty AM and this was followed by the Graduation Ceremony. Principal Maureen Ryan spoke movingly of the contribution of each member of the cohort:

“You were keen to rekindle a sense of joy, a sense of fun into community after two hard years of Covid disruption and lockdowns. And you relied heavily on the whole year level and tapped into your collective energy, humour and creativity. This same energy and joy of life has helped build each other up in times of stress as you navigated your HSC.”

She also urged them to “continue to raise your voice, challenge injustices and be disruptors if needed, to affect much needed change in the world around you. I hope you realise your unique potential and that you develop the wisdom to understand that to reach it, you must pass through various life stages - regardless of whether they are good or bad, each step is an experience that will contribute to who you eventually become".

The Ceremony was followed by a special lunch at the Australian Turf Club, Randwick for parents and the Year 12 Class.