Over the recent weeks, our Year 12 students enjoyed a memorable and fitting conclusion to their formal classes, while also beginning the next chapter of their journey through a series of celebrations, presentations, reflections, and community events.
The Year 12 Farewell Assemblies provided students and staff with the opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution of the Class of 2026 to their respective House or Campus communities. These gatherings offered a chance to reflect on the students’ journey through the College, celebrate their achievements and growth, and wish them every success as they prepare for their final examinations and future pathways.
As part of our commitment to student wellbeing and safety, Year 12 students participated in two important presentations designed to support them as they transition beyond school. John Maher delivered an engaging and thought-provoking Road Safety Presentation, encouraging students to consider the responsibilities that come with being drivers and passengers. Parade College continues to partner with John, with this year marking 17 years that he has addressed our graduating Year 12 students. His presentation remains a highly valued component of the College's Year 12 program. More information about John's work can be found at https://carmen.com.au/
Students also attended Sonya Karras' Party Safe Presentation, which focused on making informed decisions, looking after one another, and celebrating responsibly during the upcoming post-school life. Parade College has also enjoyed a strong partnership with Sonya over several years, with her presentations combining powerful stories with practical strategies and insights that help students make safe, informed, and responsible choices during this important stage of their lives.
Together, these presentations reinforced the importance of personal responsibility, wellbeing and safety as students prepare for life beyond the College.
One of the highlights was the student-led Farewell Assembly, organised and presented by members of the Year 12 Prefect team. The assembly reflected the spirit and humour of the cohort, featuring a range of light-hearted student awards that celebrated the friendships, personalities, and memorable moments of the Year 12 journey. The assembly concluded with the traditional Year 12 shirt signing, allowing students to share messages and memories with classmates and teachers.
The celebrations continued with the annual Funfields Excursion on Friday 16 October, providing students with a well-earned opportunity to relax and enjoy time together following a busy year of study and commitments.
The farewell celebrations concluded with the Valete Graduation Evening on Monday 19 October, where students, families and staff gathered to celebrate the achievements, growth, and resilience of the Class of 2026. The evening marked the formal conclusion of the students' secondary schooling and provided a fitting opportunity to recognise their many contributions to the College community.
We congratulate all Year 12 students on reaching this significant milestone and wish them every success in their upcoming examinations and/or future endeavours.
In a world where guys are often told to “toughen up” or hide their feelings, finding a place to talk honestly can be really hard. Which is why in 2014, a mental health charity known as ‘The Man Cave’ was established. This charity helps young men understand their emotions and build healthy relationships. It is not just a standard school program, it is a life-changing experience build on care, kindness, hospitality, and utmost privacy.
During my Year 9 Man Cave experience this week, I had David and Michael, who created an absolute elite environment for everyone to feel comfortable to engage and also keep the vibes stable with music and Michael’s home Samoan Islands culture of hyping up the room with immersive chants. Both David and Michael brought in some personal and deep stories that made us young men revisit the parked topic of ‘Boundaries.’
When visiting this topic, they created a soccer pitch diagram on the whiteboard of inbound (inside of the pitch) meant that the statement was ok, but the outbound (outside of the pitch) meant that the statement crossed the boundaries of the person, which showed us the right and wrong of when something is taken too far.
With this not being my first Man Cave, I would be proud in saying that this was the best one in terms of vibes, engagement, and the overall topics that are now implanted in my brain.
What makes these sessions work so well is the leaders. These facilitators are excellent role models who lead by example. For both Michael and David to talk about some stories that others would consider keeping to themselves was really hard and helped us as a class gain the courage to speak up. When leaders open up, the teenagers feel safe to do the same. In a time when many young people feel isolated online, The Man Cave brings them together. Boys realize they are not alone in their struggles, which creates a strong sense of friendship and support.
The Man Cave is a truly special organization. My words are no match for what they do in this world and the amount of situations they reduce happening in the first place.
What I have said today is just a small epigram of what they provide, and remember this one thing that all Man Cave facilitators mention, “WHAT HAPPENS IN THE CAVE, STAYS IN THE CAVE.” Always respect each others privacy and boundaries as discussed.
Through real connection and unconditional respect, they are building a brighter, healthier future for every young man.
During the same day, we also had a Year 9 Development Day, which highlighted the topics of banter, friendships, and values and how us young men should understand what is too far and what is applicable.
We had a counsellor with us to guide us through the boundaries and some real stories that show the example of what happens when you don’t think before you say.
With the help of the wonderful teachers and our helpful Dean, Miss Mazzitelli, we Year 9s had a day filled with learning and fun activities. The Development Day shows both the students and parents that this school cares about the mental health of students and what they are feeling.
Parade College continues to show its commitment to helping students grow not only academically, but also as individuals. By providing opportunities like Development Day, the College encourages students to build confidence, strengthen friendships and develop a better understanding of themselves and others. Days like these show that education goes beyond the classroom, teaching us important life lessons about respect, empathy, and the kind of people we want to become.
At the end of the day, Development Day reminded us that being ourselves also means respecting others. We learnt that having fun, building connections and expressing who we are should never come at the expense of someone else’s boundaries. Because at Parade College, it is not just about knowing who we are, but knowing when to respect where others draw the line.
Aeshan Fernando Year 9 T11
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