Community & Business
22 November, 2023
Oakey High Year 12 Graduates say farewell to school
Oakey State High Schools Year 12s said goodbye to school at their farewell assembly last Thursday afternoon.
The students received a firm handshake from Principal Danny Keenan as well as a Certificate of Graduation, while comparison photos of the Year 1 and Year 12 versions of themselves were shown in the background.
Parents and guardians, grandparents, and other family and friends watched as a montage of photos from the year was played.
Speakers praised the students for the efforts they had made to get this far.
School Chappy Yolande Robinson led the invocation giving a prayer of thanks for the teachers, staff, family and friends who had guided the students and praying that the students would have strength, courage and wisdom.
Deputy Principal Lachlan O’Connell quoted Dr Seuss: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
Head of Senior School Jodie Beacham thanked parents and guardians and wished the students the best in taking on new challenges.
Principal Danny Keenan gave high praise to the departing cohort of students.
“You’ve been one of the greatest cohorts I’ve had the pleasure of working with in the last couple of decades,” he said.
The four departing school captains, the first all-female cohort in the school’s history, also had words of encouragement for their peers.
Sharmeka Young said - “As Taylor Swift said, Scary news is - you’re on your own now. Cool news is - you’re on your own now.”
Deborah Heyze said, quoting Maya Angelou: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and how you do it.
“We will forever be grateful for your commitment to help us.”
