On Tuesday evening, we held the Year 6 Celebration Evening. It was a wonderful event, and I received numerous requests for my speech. While the speech I wrote is directed at the current Year 6 girls, I believe it has relevance for all Barbreck girls.   

YEAR 6 GRADUATION SPEECH 2024 

Tonight, we celebrate a remarkable group of girls who are in their final days of primary school. Some came through our Early Education Centre, some a few years ago, while others joined us this year. The important thing is that you are all girls who proudly wear a St Catherine’s blue ribbon and share a sense of belonging at Barbreck and call it our school. 

I know mums and dads are wondering how those years could have flown by so quickly – it only seems like yesterday! I am sure that all parents have been reflecting in the lead-up to this evening, and helping your daughter find photographs for her Archive Her Story Project would have brought back many memories of her first days at School.  

I know that you have been recalling that first day of Prep, taking her into the classroom – some girls would have been scared and not wanting mum or dad to leave them, while others were rearing to learn – happy to finally be at school. 

I know you have been remembering that small hand that you used to hold, the colouring in that stayed mostly within the lines, the nightly bedtime stories, how you could pick them up when they were hurt and kiss the bump to make it better, the toothless smiles, brushing hair and getting it into piggy or ponytails, choosing their clothes and having that last semblance of total control! Yes, the years have changed them and you! 

Parents, when once you carried them, then led and guided them, when you made all of the decisions for their continued welfare, you now walk beside them knowing there will be hurts, disappointments, and wrong turns but also successes, highs, and new talents found and many happy moments.  

We must remember, that it is now their journey. By walking beside them, you become the life coach, the sounding board, the shoulder to lean on, the tissue giver, and the cheerleader.   

Girls, your parents will always be the people who believe in you the most, they will always want the best for you, they will always worry about you, and they will always love you no matter what happens or what you do – this never changes. It was that way when you were born, and it will still be that way when you are fifty. It is that wonderful bond between parents and their children. Cherish your parents always, as they cherish you. 

Like your parents, our Barbreck teachers and staff have worked hard to provide the best for you. They have believed in you, encouraged, and nurtured your learning and interests, cheered for you when you have tried or succeeded, helped when there were disappointments, and urged you to develop a never-give-up attitude. They have provided you with a wonderful foundation of learning on which to build your dreams, spread your wings, explore your interests, and follow your passions. They have also helped you build character, encouraged you to become resilient, to consider others, to be compassionate and empathetic, to negotiate and compromise, to be kind and brave, and to be the best version of yourself in your thoughts, words, and actions. 

Tonight, we see girls who, after seven years at School, read novels, problem-solve in Mathematics, speak French, code, program a robot, draw, paint, swim, dive, play team sports, play a musical instrument, can find information on just about anything and are articulate. They are moving towards independence, are environmentally aware, and beginning to know what they want and how to get it! Gone are the little girls and confident young ladies have taken their place. We could not be prouder! 

To parents and teachers, I know they appreciate all the ways in which you have supported, guided, and helped them develop.  

Girls, I would now like you to see yourselves from a world view – not the St Catherine’s bubble. In doing so, I would like to leave you with some thoughts and facts to ponder from this old head to your young minds: 

• Be appreciative of your education – going to school every day is normal for you. For others, as we learned from our International Day of the Girl, it is a precious gift only given to some. Of the 750 million illiterate people over the age of 15 in the world today – 2/3 are female. In some developing countries today, girls are lucky to receive more than 2½ years of education.  
• Around the world, 65 million girls are denied the right to learn. If we took one second to count each of the 65 million, it would take just over two years to count them all. You will be in the last week of Year 8 when the count is complete. Understand, you are the lucky ones! These 65 million girls wish they were you – make the most of this opportunity to go to school – study hard – I know given the opportunity, they would.  
• Your schooling provides you with a crash course on the collective knowledge of humankind – it gives you an advantage over previous generations, as you are learning from the hard work, successes and failures of billions of people who came before you – make sure you add to it positively!  
• Only 43% of the girls in the world enter tertiary education. Attending a school such as St Catherine’s not only provides you with a wonderful education – the education you receive gives you the power of choice to pursue the career and life you want. We see girls who graduate from St Catherine’s enter universities and colleges around the world to undertake a wide range of courses with the expectation that 99% of you will earn a four-year degree. How lucky are you? Make sure you appreciate the education you are receiving and make the most of your choices! 
• At this time in our history, in western well-developed countries, females have a voice – use it wisely, as it was hard and long fought for. Many of your sisters who live in third world countries are denied the right to have a voice and to speak freely. Make sure that what you have to say is correct and true, that it doesn’t harm, but builds others up, make your voice positive and kind and above all, let it make a difference! 
• Think about the best version of yourself – set goals and do something today that your future self will truly thank you for.
• Imagine with all your mind, believe with all your heart, and achieve with all of your might.  

On a personal note, as I approach my final days at St Catherine’s, I would like to thank the girls and parents here tonight for your unwavering support. I have a close affinity with this Year level, having taught some of them through COVID and, being in such a position, I have had the privilege of watching this Cohort grow and develop into the amazing group of girls here tonight. I am so very proud of each and every one of you as you have all set a new standard in excellence of kindness, collaboration, leadership, and being outstanding role models. Congratulations – yours will be a hard year to follow. 

St Catherine’s has been an extraordinary experience for me, and I often say that working here is like experiencing an educational trifecta– gorgeous girls, wonderful and supportive parents, and an amazing staff! I have been so very fortunate to have experienced this in my career!  

I have loved leading Barbreck and will take with me many treasured memories. I am proud of what the Barbreck Team and I have achieved over the last six years and know I leave Barbreck in very good standing for its future. 

Thank you Ms McArdle!