Harvey Senior High School class of 2022 celebrate end of secondary education with graduation ceremony

“It has been extraordinarily uncertain and unpredictable.” That is how Harvey Senior High School principal David Gault described the final year of schooling for the Class of 2022, as their 14 years of formal education came to an end. Parents, staff and special guests attended the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre on November 3 to celebrate the achievements of this year’s Year 12 students at their graduation ceremony. In his remarks to students, Mr Gault said this year had presented them with many challenges. “The stop-start nature, the interruption to your studies, the cancellation or postponement of significant events,” he said. “The global pandemic and unrest in other parts of the world have caused the whole world to shift frequently, resulting in many unintentional outcomes that we are all feeling the effects of right now. “One can only say of the Class of 2022, you have been operating or learning in a VUCA world.” He told students they need to be both agile and resilient going forward, but noted the graduated had already showed those qualities during the past 12 months. Mr Gault also thanked parents and staff for their support. Harvey elder Lesley Ugle told the graduating class to be strong, brave and true to themselves during her welcome to country. “As you go on your journey, you will find many ups and downs, crossroads, but you know where your heart is, what your abilities are, what’s your truth,” she said. “All your years of schooling have gotten you here to a proud place.” Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns was the guest speaker and reflected on her experience since graduating from the school in 1989, including how she never expected to become a politician. She told students a number of things others might see as being achievements in her life are only so because took opportunities that were given to her. “I think the number one thing I can say to you is that don’t be afraid to take opportunities that are offered to you because like myself you might say ‘I am not good enough’ or ‘I don’t know if I could do that particular thing’, but actually people are extending those opportunities because they can see that in you,” she said. “They can see that you are capable of doing those things or they wouldn’t extend you those opportunities in the first place.” Emily Hammerling was the standout student of the night, taking home awards for General English, Visual Arts, Human Biology and Mathematics Essentials, along with the ECU Personal Excellence Award. Fellow graduates Bailey Kruger, Trey Mante and Paige Ferguson took home two awards each. This year’s graduating class comprised of 15 students, led by school captain Ash Riches. He said almost every experience at the school had been enjoyable. “Other than (COVID-19), I have enjoyed every second and I am sure my classmates would agree,” he said. “From the carnivals to the occasional bush walk down to Stirling Cottage to get a coffee in the morning, I don’t think we could have asked for a better high school experience.“ He thanked parents for supporting their children during their years of schooling as well as teachers for being willing to teach them “no matter how of a pain we were being in class.”