Celebrating Excellence | Mr Damien Fall

A warm welcome to all in the Terrace Family to the penultimate school week of 2023 and the week in which we acknowledge the year’s successes at our Annual Celebration of Excellence evening. Show business always looks to finish with a bang, and that was certainly what happened on Tuesday evening as we celebrated not only academic excellence but also the cocurricular achievements of which we are so proud. By way of summary, the number of awards presented reflects the efforts and achievements of our young men:

• 118 First in Subject awards across Years 5-11
• 526 Academic Excellence Awards across Years 5-12
• 52 Cultural Awards
• 56 Sporting Awards
• 8 Most Improved and Diligence Awards
• Year 10 Dux
• Year 11 Dux
• 19 Special Awards

The timings of the Senior ATAR system mean we need to wait until next year to determine the College Dux and Proxime Accessit for 2023. We look forward to acknowledging these significant achievements and our ATAR 99 recipients at the College Assembly in the new year.

Other highlights of the evening were our Acknowledgement of Country, led by Mr Marlon Riley and Mr Fred Leone, accompanied by the students of our Barrambin Yarning Group; the combined orchestra that filled the stage and played to an incredible standard; the vocal performances (my personal favourite was a piece from Les Miserables); the orchestra composed of the entire Years 5 and 6 cohorts; and the reflections based around the charism of Edmund Rice. If the goal of the evening is to celebrate excellence, that is exactly what happened, and it was an honour to be present.

Student success does not come without guidance, mentoring and leadership, and the year’s success is a tribute to the teachers, tutors, coaches, professional staff, and volunteers of the College whose goal is to selflessly give students the best opportunities possible. On behalf of all students and families, I thank these caring, committed professionals. You truly make a difference in the lives of the young men of Terrace.

On behalf of the College, I would like to extend sincere thanks to all who are involved in organising our Celebration of Excellence. It is an enormous exercise to plan, prepare, practice, and execute such an event, but no doubt all who witnessed the evening would agree its quality was outstanding. Thank you to the Director of Culture, Mr Matt Cocking and his team for the vision and planning. Thanks also to the Director of Music, Mr Derek Rose and his teachers, tutors and students who brought so much to the evening and attained such a high standard. Our Communication, Identity, and Property and Maintenance teams were also significant contributors to the success of the evening, as were a huge number of non-teaching and teaching staff who held important roles. Many thanks to all for what you contributed.

Finally, I would like to pass on our thanks to the students and families of the College. Congratulations to everyone who deservedly walked across the stage to receive an award on Tuesday evening. Your success has been earned, and you deserve to feel proud. I encourage those who did not receive an award to set high expectations of yourself, always give your best and be equally proud knowing that you have done your best. Awards are wonderful, but true success is best measured when we can look in the mirror and know we could have done no more. We are blessed to have such an engaged and supportive community who willingly walk with us on our students’ journey. Given the commitment of parents and caregivers to their sons, it is fitting that they join us to celebrate their success at events such as on Tuesday evening. Many thanks for your support of the staff of Terrace as we go about growing the hearts and minds of the Gentlemen of Terrace.

In closing, I would like to pass on best wishes and warmest regards to our Senior students who will be farewelled at their Valedictory Assembly, Mass, and Dinner today. This is a memorable time for them, and I hope they can look back fondly on today’s events. Most importantly, I trust that the gift of a Terrace education has set them up for great success and happiness in their lives beyond the school gates. I encourage all graduates to always look for ways they can make the lives of others a little better.

Warmest regards to all in the Terrace Family and best wishes for an enjoyable holiday and a happy, holy Christmas season when it arrives. I think we all deserve a break.