Watched on by the healthy sea of parents, students and friends gathered to farewell the Class of 2014 and wish them well before tackling the arduous Higher School Certificate. 

The tune of MGMT’s Kids rang out through the rows of chairs as the kids stepped out into the unknown both eager and anxious at the end of their high school era, with some of the students planning to pursue further education, apprentices, travel or with the intent of taking each day at a time. 

The proceedings began with those present standing for the national anthem, sung by Isobella Lewis and Annie Hill, before deputy principal Louise Pinson addressed her students for one last time. Ms Pinson's inspirational speech wished all the young students the best of luck for the future, followed by Year 11 student representative Brooke Garland and a sentimental goodbye to their inspiring peers. 

Laila Kassouh and Samuel Czvitkovits left the crowd in tears of laughter with their extremely witty and personalised description of the school year. The Class of 2014 presented the school with a wooden plaque engraved with ‘Ron Davis Farm’, a testament to their beloved teacher Ron Davis who passed away in July this year (see Page 8 for obituary). 

Dana Wilson and Orion Mandla echoed the nostalgia filling the hall with a sweet acoustic performance that warmed every seat. Year advisor Mr John Duncan took an unusual approach in farewelling his Year 12 when he read Dr Seuss’ ‘Oh the places you’ll go’, the words expressing just what it is to move through this milestone: “You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.”

With the HSC looming just around the corner, commencing on October 13, many students are anxious about what the exams will bring.

School Captain Siobhan McGrath described the mood of her peers as extremely nervous in preparation for the HSC, “We’re all very anxious, but it’s also a very exciting time, because it’s all nearly over!” 

“The whole year is pretty sad that school is ending because their scared of what the world is going to be like, they don’t want to lose the great friendships that we have here and the time that we have spent together. My best friends have been crying because it’s an incredibly emotional time for all of us, saying goodbye and the stress of our exams,” said Siobhan. 

Siobhan will take a gap year after the HSC to focus on her music, she plans to attend University of Canberra to study primary teaching.  

The taste for celebration was already in the air with the year 12 muck up day, School Captain Siobhan said the day was fun and no one went too far. 

“The boys were really keen and got up at six in the morning, they put cling wrap all around the quad and wrapped all the cars in it. There was a lot of toilet paper in the trees and charged all the teachers Two dollars to park their cars. We all went to Flip Out in Canberra after school  to carry on celebrations, so it was pretty tame but lots of fun.”

The Yass Valley community and Tribune wish all the students sitting the HSC the very best of luck and to remember that one goal reached today, opens new ones for tomorrow.