By ANEEKA SIMONIS
IT IS with great pride that the principal of an all-boys school in Berwick prepares to farewell the school’s first round of Year 12 students.
The boys at Berwick Grammar School made history last month as the first graduates to complete their education at the school.
“I certainly feel very proud. Having been the first Year 12 students, they had a lot on their shoulders in having to create a legacy,” Principal Charles Swanepoel said.
“They had everyone looking up at them throughout their school life … they were always the senior boys even when they were not seniors and they did so well considering they had no-one to look up to.
“They have created the foundations, traditional and culture that the school is very proud of.”
The graduating cohort made up of 29 boys has a varied and exciting future ahead, Mr Swanepoel said as he touched on some of the boys’ aspirations for careers in medicine and engineering.
“As they are the first-ever boys at the school to sit their VCE exams there is definitely a buzz in the air,” said Business Development Manager Rachael Pearson.
But the boys, who began their education at the school in Year 5, have been reassured their efforts will be rewarded.
“We wish them well. I told them their hard work will pay off and this is their time. They have made history here at the school and now they must embark on the next part of their journey,” Mr Swanepoel said.
The boys enjoyed their valedictory dinner with over 150 friends, family and teachers on Wednesday 15 October.
