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Year 12 students across Western Australia have finished their final week at school and celebrations have been anything but low-key.
From running into the ocean in school uniform, to dressing up and even bedazzling a teachers’ head, private and public schools across the state allowed students to have some fun and relax, before many go on to sit their final exams.
Joseph Banks Secondary College year 12 student Caitlyn McKenzie said their breakfast with the staff and students, held at the end of term 3, was a “bittersweet but a lovely school tradition which really brought us all together, to celebrate our journey and say goodbye to the people we have known for many years”.
And the schools’ outdoor education teacher David Moss made good on a promise he made with students in year 10 – that they could bedazzle his head at the year 12 breakfast.
The students remembered that promise two years later.
Over at Scotch College, it was an emotional day for family and friends of graduating students, watching on as they took part in the school’s annual March Out.
The boys were presented with the Old Scotch Collegians tie at the end of the march, acknowledging their entry into the College’s alumni.
Another significant part of the day involved a final catch up with the graduating students’ year 2 buddies.
The school said the pairing was intentional – when the older students return for their 10-year reunion, it would be their former buddies – then in their final year of schooling – who would be leading the senior school.
Presbyterian Ladies’ College principal Cate Begbie said it was “always such a joy to see the girls finish in true PLC spirit - celebrating together, full of laughter and ready to dive into whatever comes next.”
“They worked hard for that moment and it was lovely watching them take a breath, soak it all in and stride confidently into the next chapter,” she said.
Students flocked to nearby Cottesloe Beach after their valedictory service, where they posed for a brief photo before running into the water in their uniform.
Penrhos College principal Kalea Haran said celebrations for the graduating class, particularly the school’s annual Flower Day, was a “beautiful and meaningful tradition”.
“It’s a celebration of friendship, gratitude and connection, as our girls give flowers to one another, to those who’ve supported them, and as younger students honour those who’ve inspired them,” she said.
The school also runs P-Day where year 12 students dressed up as something beginning with the letter P, for Penrhos.
Costumes included popcorn, Pepsi, a piñata, a pot plant, peas in a pod, PowerPoint and a painter.
Students at St Stephen’s School celebrated with a colour run, and a slip n slide down the hill at the school’s oval.
Principal Donella Beare said she was proud of the graduating class.
“I’d like to wish those completing VET certifications or sitting ATAR exams the best of luck. To all our year 12 students I wish you the greatest success no matter the pathway you are taking,” she said.
Education Minister Sabine Winton said she wished all year 12s across the state “the very best in their ATAR exams”, and made special mention of Bob Hawke College graduates – the first year 12 students to graduate since the school opened in 2020.
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“Over the weekend, on Sunday afternoon in fact, I ... had the privilege of representing the premier at the first Bob Hawke College valedictory ceremony,” she said.
“The graduation of the school’s first year 12 cohort marks a major milestone for Bob Hawke College and its growing, thriving community.
“Congratulations to all graduating students, their families and the dedicated staff who have supported them every step of the way.”
Methodist Ladies’ College principal years 7-12 Katy Moore said the school’s farewell celebrations were designed to honour a “true rite of passage: the moment when our graduating students step from one chapter of life into the next”.
“These events mark not just an ending but a powerful new beginning, where each girl can take pride in how far she’s come and feel confident in the skills and values that will guide her forward,” she said.
“Our Collegian Induction formally initiates our Year 12s into a lifelong community. Gifting them an MLC Collegian beach towel in readiness for their Beach Swim, readying them to dive into the next chapter of their lives.”
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