Today marks the end of an era at Winnaleah District High School. It has been a truly terrific, yet emotional, term and even year, if not many years that has now led to 10 Grade 10 leavers saying our goodbyes, as we are yet to each embark on a new life journey.
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It is without any doubt that Winnaleah has played a key role in shaping me into the person that I am today. Throughout the past five years I have laughed and cried, loved and lived, learnt and even taught others a thing or two.
I have loved and enjoyed every last moment, no matter if it was good or bad and I will truly miss it all next year. I have made many memories along the years, with many more yet to come as I embark on my new journey to further education with Grades 11 and 12 at Scottsdale next year. I've had the privilege of representing my little, but great, school in numerous and varied events, and have well and truly had my fair share of both academic, agricultural and co-curricular success along the way, especially during my last year here in 2017.
Throughout Grade 10 I've been challenged to better both my education and myself and have had many, many successes ranging for small to big. I've had many opportunities offered to me and have worked hard to be where I am now. I've been successful in writing a heartfelt letter to the dairy industry earlier this year, which gained much recognition, and even caught the eye of a few local politicians. For myself though, it's much more than my successes I've achieved through out the last five years.
If someone was to ever ask me where would I see myself in five years time, five years ago, I'd never thought I'd end up living in the local rural region, yet alone be attending Winnaleah District High School or finishing Grade 10 there. During the past five years of attending Winnaleah, however, I've had both good and bad days, received opportunities that not many other kids would have in bigger schools, and have had the opportunity of getting to know each of my fellow peers, teachers and other staff members.
2017 has been an amazing year for many of us. It's been full of both highs and lows, much laughter, tears, friendship, sadness and happiness. But to this day, overall it has been an excellent year and I simply couldn't have asked for a better school, nor group of peers to spend the past year with.
I've received nothing but full respect and support during my time at Winnaleah. All the teachers and staff members have been able to help me in every way possible and provide me with only the very best education and experiences on offer and I will continue to be forever grateful of this, both now and in the many years to come.
We should be very proud of how far we've all come, both this year and the years that have now passed us by. Winnaleah is a ripper of a place and anyone whom has been a part of it will tell you no different. My hope for everyone is that your dreams take you to the corner of your smiles, and to the highest of your hopes. To the windows of your opportunities and to the most special places your heart has ever known. Whether you are continuing on to further education next year, be it at a college in town, locally, or an apprenticeship, I wish everyone a successful career in whatever they may choose to do and hope that you live life to its fullest.
Although thank you simply doesn't seem enough, I am forever and will be, appreciative of the enormous amount of respect, support and generosity that you have all shown me throughout the half a decade that I have spent here. You have supported me in every way possible and have helped to nurture and flourish my ever-expanding passions that I have for Australian agriculture, writing and photography.
So to the class of 2017, as well as both past and present students, peers, staff, teachers, locals, parents and friends. Thank you for the very best and most memorable five years. There is no place like Winnaleah and I’ll miss it and everyone there very, very much.
Please never forget that you’re never too old nor too young for your next adventure. May I wish for everyone a ripper of a year in 2018 and all the very best for the future. Never give up and reach for the stars. Follow your dreams and pursue your passions. Make many memories along the way, and live, love and laugh your way through life. Don't ever doubt yourself but support yourself and those around you.
Give it 110 per cent each and every time. Work hard, be responsible, respectful and compassionate. Show a little determination and be passionate about what you do and what it is that you want to do and you're already a step of the way there kiddo. Give it your all and never look back. If stuck, ask for help and keep going. Find a purpose and find a focus for what it is that you want or aspire to do. Set both small and big goals, and be motivated to make the world a better place. Strive for success in your education and be a leader and role model. The world is simply what you make it. The world is yours.
Although thank you will never seem enough for what you've done for me and us all, thank you and best of wishes everyone. After all, once a Winnaleah student, always a Winnaleah student.