They were unfailingly polite, excited, amusing, conversational and inclusive to myself and my very generous colleagues who were supervising. It would be hard to explain how such an evening can be so enjoyable while being on first aid (mostly sore feet), emergency dress repair and supervising 300 students. But it was and it makes me realise what a very special cohort we have this year in our College seniors. There is something so consistently great about the graduating classes of St Vincent's College. I felt it again on Wednesday when we welcomed back to their alma mater the class of 2024. The Distinguished Scholars, their family and friends gathered with the current year 11 and year 12 students for the Academic Assembly. We heard from Frankie Duffy, who was awarded the Grace Robinson Prize for the highest ATAR and the Mary Aikenhead Principal's Prize for the highest ATAR across the ministry. Grace Robinson was a very early graduate of the college and was in the first graduating class of medicine in NSW. She pushed through countless barriers to succeed academically and we are very confident that Frankie will emulate her determination and drive to excel in her professional field. It was a very celebratory assembly as we recognised our All Rounders, Band 6s and students nominated for their major works. In conversation with the graduands over a cup of tea it was inspiring to hear them talk of which doors the keys of their Vinnies' education had opened - direct entry into Medicine, Engineering, Law, Medical Bio-Engineering, Commerce, Teaching, Nursing - the very professions where we know these young women with be able to be "pilgrims of hope and servants of the poor". (our dual foci for 2025).
I hope that on this St. Valentine’s Day, your family can celebrate the unconditional love that binds you together.
