Scotch College

Vale the Class of 2008

Words: Ms Keiron Jones Photography: Mr Andrew Murdoch

School Vice Captain Alex Williamson

Head of Year 12

Ms Keiron Jones

Comedian Mark Mitchell

Leo, Anthony and Gina Palazzo

The Cardinals perform

On 20 October, over 700 people gathered at the Sofitel Hotel to celebrate the culmination of 13 years of education for the Class of 2008. With a typical Scotch blend of formality and informality, the evening was alight with youthful faces, proud parents and satisfied teachers.

Rev Graham Bradbeer began the evening in his inimitable style by saying the Scottish grace over the haggis. Our ‘new bursar’ (aka comedian Mark Mitchell) kept us in stitches as he outlined new regimes for fees, capital works and fiscal responsibility in these troubled economic times. As a bursar, he makes an outstanding comedian! After so many invoices for fees over the years, parents might have found less to laugh at, but going by the atmosphere, obviously found everything Mark said hilarious.

The formalities of the evening in the form of speeches were brisk, moving and thoughtful as the Vice-Captain of the School, Alex Williamson, the Principal, Tom Batty, and I as Head of Year 12 reflected on what has made this graduating class so special.

But the most important event of the evening was, of course, the boys taking their mothers to the dance floor as a tribute to their love and devotion. Fathers stood on chairs and ringed the dance floor to take photos to treasure. To me, this was the most moving moment – proud parents and grateful, joyful young men.

And then, as has been the case since the first Valedictory Dinner, parents made way for their sons’ energy to find release as they danced, took photos for their Facebook pages, sang the School songs and shared in the war cry at the end. All the while in the background on huge screens, images of the Class of 2008 quietly played, showing what they have done best – academics, sport, services, the arts, co-curricular activities by the dozen, or just being together.

Needless to say, there is always incredibly hard work behind such a successful event, and our heartfelt thanks go to Tim Shearer and Robbie Gustke, who spent many weeks ensuring that each little detail was covered and those who attended had the time of their lives. It was a superb night, one that each graduating student and his parents will long remember. GS