Friends, family and staff gathered in St Joseph’s Catholic Church for mass on Thursday night – the students’ last official school event before the Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Special guests included parish priest Father John McHugh, Parish Priest, Gerard Broekman from the Knights of the Southern Cross, the Ewing family, Marie Hobson and John Campbell from the ex-students association, St Mary’s advisory boad chair Michael Broekman, Neville Adams from the Gunnedah Lions Club, Richard Day from the Gunnedah Rotary Club, Jen Elphick from the Northern Inland Credit Union, and Meg Lloyd from the Armidale Diocesan Investment Group.

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Principal Max Quirk congratulated the students on their leadership as a class and as individuals, pointing to their maturity and sense of responsibility as well as their commitment to learning.

“So how will you be remembered?” he said.

“I think as a class that got it right – you persevered and saw the job done. I commend you for that and I believe you will be rewarded come December when you receive your HSC results.”

Mrs Quirk quoted from the scripture reading at the Mass, where St Paul spoke about the gifts of each individual and urged the disciples to lead a life worthy of their vocation.

“There are many paths to a successful life, so don’t despair, and don’t give up,” he said.

“Tomorrow is another day, grab it with both hands and make the most of it.

“As St Paul says in tonight’s reading, lead a life worthy of your vocation, and make good use of the gifts that God has given to you. They are given to you so that you can make the world a better place.”

These words were echoed by Parish Priest, Fr John McHugh, who reminded each student that “they had been called to serve, to teach and to encourage others.”

“You are called to share generously, to work hard and to respect the dignity of every person,” he said.

“”You have been truly educated in the ways of faith, hope and charity.

“Life includes both happiness and sadness - and everything in between. Each of you will encounter the unexpected as you journey through life - there will be testing times and there will be joyful times but each of you has been given a wonderful foundation to meet the challenge and worries that are part of life’s experiences.

“St Mary’s College has prepared you well, you have been taught by many inspirational and dedicated teachers and you have made enduring friendships.

“Tonight is unique because you will never gather like this again but there is greater joy that awaits you, that of a full and happy life,” Fr McHugh said.

“Be proud of who you are and where you have come from, be happy, enjoy your life, grow in wisdom, grow in kindness, grow in compassion, and grow deep in the realisation that you are respected, appreciated and admired by all of us who gather with you tonight.”

Year 12 supervisor Karen Mooney, affectionately known as Mumma Moon, reflected on the previous six years and the friendships forged by the students.

“Finishing Year 12 is not an end goal in itself, it is instead a part of a larger journey where a great adventure awaits you as you go from the safety of this controlled environment to one where you are at liberty to choose your own paths, “ she said.

“I believe that St Mary’s has prepared you well to take on this challenge and change of direction in your lives.

“The road that lies ahead won’t be easy, there will be obstacles and missed exits, potholes and roadblocks. “There will be times when each of you will think that you are alone, your back against the wall, but you are not alone, you have made it this far why would you back out now?” Mrs Mooney said.

“Nothing worthwhile is easy, so don’t give up, and keep pushing on. Believe in yourselves so that you may reach your goals and fulfil your dreams. Be the best that you can be.

“This wonderful life God has provided for us is no dress rehearsal, every moment is precious, take hold of it and make the most of life’s opportunities.”

Mrs Mooney urged the students to “use the tools of love, compassion, humility, respect, trust, and above all, service of others to shape your journey”.

“Don’t rack up a litany of regrets,” she said.

“Live extraordinary lives, choose your battles carefully and be true to the values you hold dear.

“Look to do good and make a positive difference in your communities.”

Mrs Mooney also acknowledged the huge input of parents and the teachers of St Mary’s who had all played a significant part in the life journey of each student.

“They have all travelled on the journey with you but now you are moving on,” Mrs Mooney said.

“They are hoping you will fulfil your dreams, your hopes, your aspirations.

“God bless you as you make your final preparations for the HSC, and you take on life beyond school. You have reached this milestone with honour and integrity. Do not lose sight of the values instilled by your parents and St Mary’s College, make the most of every opportunity and go forward into the world with the intention of making it a better place.”

Academic awards are presented to each student who has come first in the HSC school-based assessment of their respective subjects.

Kathleen and William Burke Memorial Award – Studies of Religion: Chloe Zelinski

Catholic Studies: Deneka Jones

Advanced English: Caitlin Woods

Standard English: Larissa Whelan

English Studies: Connor Bishop

Sister Mary Casimir Memorial Prize - Extension 1 Mathematics: James Ellis.

Mathematics: Chloe Zelinski

General 2 Mathematics: Emily Vong

General 1 Mathematics: Logan Tunbridge

Chemistry: Chloe Zelinski

Physics: Thomas Rankmore

Biology: Krystal Jauja

Senior Science: Annerley Fitzsimmons

VET Primary Industries: Zack Murnane  

Ancient History: Caitlin Woods

Business Studies: Whitney Mansfield

Legal Studies: Whitney Mansfield 

Modern History: Whitney Mansfield

Personal Development/Health/Physical Education: Annerley Fitzsimmons

Community and Family Studies: Annerley Fitzsimmons 

Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation: Thomas Rankmore

Music 1:  Annerley Fitzsimmons

Visual Arts: Chloe Zelinski

Food Technology: Emily Vong

Industrial Technology Wood: Luke Isbester

TVET achievement award for Animal Studies: Rachael Power.

After the formal HSC examinations are completed, all students who achieve a Band 6 result in any HSC subject will be listed on the 2017 NSW HSC honours list. These students will be recognised at an assembly early next year. The dux of St Mary’s College is awarded at the same assembly next year, based on the student who achieves the highest ATAR this year.

The McAuley Prize for Academic Excellence is awarded to students who have excelled academically based on the school's assessment program in Year 12. All three recipients this year have placed first in three or more of their subjects, and have been in the top four places in their other subjects. They have all worked with diligence and sustained effort.

McAuley Prize for Academic Excellence: Chloe Zelinski, Annerley Fitzsimmons and Whitney Mansfield

Prize for Consistent Effort: Penny Broekman

Senior of the Year is awarded to a Year 12 student who has been outstanding in the school year in both scholastic and leadership activities. This award is donated by Mrs J O'Brien, whose family had strong connections with the Sisters of Mercy. 

Senior of the Year: Whitney Mansfield 

The Katrina Ewing Memorial Prize is presented to a Year 12 student who has been an example of compassion, care and understanding to junior students throughout their High School years. The award is both a perpetual trophy which will be on display in the College and a personal award to the student. Both are donated by the Ewing family. 

Katrina Ewing Memorial Prize: James Ellis and Meg Hassan

The Honour Prize for Leadership is donated by the St Mary's College Ex-Students Association and is bestowed on the college captains for their effective leadership, integrity and character.

Honour Prize for Leadership: Maria Ortiz and Ben Maher

The ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award is donated by The Australian Defence Force and provides a fitting tribute to the Long Tan veterans by encouraging and recognising in senior students the values demonstrated at Long Tan – values such as determination, mateship, teamwork, tenacity, compassion and leadership.

ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award: Maria Ortiz

The ADIG All-Rounder award recognises a student who provides outstanding service and contribution to the College and the wider community, has academic potential and will undertake post-school education in 2018. The student is involved in co-curricula activities and has demonstrated a contribution to the spiritual life of the school.

ADIG All-Rounder Award: Annerley Fitzsimmons 

The O’Driscoll Award is in honour of Mother Mary O’Driscoll, the founder of the Gunnedah congregation of the Sisters of Mercy in 1879 and an early principal of St Mary’s College. This award recognises the student who most reflects the Mercy way of life and in particular a student who lives by the Spirit of the Gospel, shows compassion for the poor, values education, is seen as a role model for other students, displays outreach to all and is recognised as a leader by their peers.

O’Driscoll Award: Krystal Jaujau