Speeches
Wednesday, 15 February 2023
St Michael's College Assembly
Rod and I are very pleased to join the St Michael’s College for this assembly celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2022.
Thank you also to Isabella and Luis, the 2023 College Captains, for your warm welcome when we arrived.
Already from the school entrance way and the buzz here today, Rod and I can feel the pride you all have in your school.
Last week at Government House we hosted the SACE Merit Ceremonies, and I commend all the St Michael’s College students and alumni who attended to receive their merit certificates.
In addition to the 91 St Michael’s graduates who received an ATAR of 80 or more - 43 of them achieving an ATAR in excess of 90 - I am pleased to see that the Class of 2022 received an 100% SACE completion rate.
This speaks to the hard work and dedication of every single graduate, as well as their teachers, parents and caregivers.
As members of the Class of 2022 celebrate their achievements and enjoy their summer, I’m sure you are also all looking to the next phase of your lives.
It can be both exciting and somewhat daunting.
You may have a sense that school is one thing, a big thing certainly, and soon you will come to appreciate that university, or learning a trade, and employment can be something else, often something bigger and more challenging.
Just when you thought you had passed a huge test with flying colours, you discover there are further, larger tests.
Academic tests, tests of character, tests of stamina and nerve, moments of decision and indecision.
Sometimes, defining moments.
Our graduates here today – in fact many of you, as students – will know what it feels like to be successful.
Perhaps even more usefully for life and leadership, some of you will also know what it feels like to have failed, or not done as well as you might have hoped.
During my career, I have learned that a deeper sign of success is not only when you succeed at your goal.
It’s when you choose to learn from obstacles on your path, and draw on your resilience and resourcefulness to overcome them.
Over time, this will develop your character, as well as give you an inner sense of strength and confidence to set yourself ambitious goals.
Another source of great satisfaction, which I know many of you already have discovered, is to be of service to others, whether here at St Michael’s or in your broader community.
As Governor of South Australia, I have the privilege of getting to know young people in local communities right across the state.
Rod and I have seen the impact that volunteering can have, how it enriches the lives of Australians and the amazing contributions of those who give of their time and talents.
I encourage you to pursue opportunities for service at school, and in your lives beyond.
A well-functioning democracy requires all of our society, including young people, to be involved as active, informed citizens. Diversity of participation is what helps make such a system strong.
I am pleased to be welcoming St Michael’s College recipients of the Governor’s Civics Awards for Schools to a ceremony at Government House on Friday.
And by the way, service is one of the main paths by which adult South Australians are invited to Government House, as well! I look forward to seeing you there in the years to come.
Graduates, congratulations once again on the achievements which have brought you back to St Michael’s College today.
Staff, thank you for all that you do to assist your students, both academically and in their broader lives.
Thank you also to the families, caregivers and friends who offer students, particularly those in the senior years, the moral and practical support they need to thrive.
Students, I wish you the very best as you continue your schooling, and graduates, as you move out into the world.
May you all pursue your highest potential, and in doing so, contribute not only to your own success, but the success of our community, our state, our country and our world.