As the Class of 2024 gathered for their final Graduation Mass and Dinner, Headmaster Michael Blake delivered a heartfelt speech that resonated deeply with the gathered students, families and staff.
Mr Blake’s words reflected not only the path the Year 12 boys had taken but also the powerful role the wider Joeys community – parents, teachers and staff – has played in shaping these young men. “Tonight, as a College, we join with you to bear witness to the impact our shared mission has had, and take pause to celebrate collectively the growth of these boys into fine young men,” stated Mr Blake. “As a group, they have earned the right to progress their journey beyond us into the world, faced with opportunity and challenge … and with what they’ve learned here, they should do that with courage.”
Mr Blake reminded the boys that at Joeys, we “don’t enrol a boy, we enrol a family”. This ethos of family and community was palpable throughout the evening. He shared stories of parents and staff who have become not just partners in education but also close friends over the years, as they witnessed the trials, triumphs and growth of their sons.
Reflecting on the journey of the Class of 2024, Mr Blake celebrated their resilience. From the first days as Year 7 students to their final year, the boys have navigated many challenges, including the pandemic. Through it all, they have emerged stronger, ready to face the world beyond the gates of St Joseph’s College.
In keeping with the Marist values that guide Joeys boys, Mr Blake spoke of gratitude. He reflected on the emotional and financial sacrifices made by families to support their sons’ education and highlighted the significant contributions of key staff members including Mr Barry Hughes, Mr Michael Blair, Mrs Donna Quinn and the entire teaching staff, thanking them for their commitment to the boys’ development.
“This group of men have led in their own way. [There is] a deep respect that the boys currently at the College have for them. Their Year 7 buddies in particular speak so highly of them … this group [has] great spirit, great mateship, they have loved the school and have worked hard to add their own mark to the culture here,” added Mr Blake.
He noted how that culture can be really hard to articulate. “It’s hard to describe Joeys; it’s hard to quantify with parents and other schools … So I take this from ‘The Castle’ – ‘it’s a sense of the vibe’. You feel it when you know that something’s right; the way it makes you feel.”
Mr Blake encouraged the graduating Class of 2024 to embody the values of selflessness, integrity and reliance on others. He posed a poignant question to the boys: “Who do you hitch your wagon to?” – using this metaphor, he challenged Joeys boys to think about the people who support them in times of need and, equally, to consider how they can become a reliable and dependable presence for others.
He reminded the graduates that their education at Joeys has always been about more than academic achievements. It has been about forming their character, developing a moral compass and learning to think with both the head and the heart. As they leave the College and embark on new paths, Mr Blake urged them to remember that “it’s more important where you finish than where you start”.
Mr Blake’s words were a call to action – an invitation to be the change they want to see in the world. “Look at the people around you whom you love and depend on daily,” he said, urging the boys to take inspiration from those they admire and to strive to embody those qualities in their own lives.
The Graduation Dinner closed with a sense of both nostalgia and hope. The Class of 2024 leaves behind a legacy of mateship, leadership and a deep connection to the special culture of Joeys. A culture rooted in Marist traditions and in the sense of family: “In family, there’s a simplicity in being present for each other and accepting each person as unique for who they are. It’s in the way the boys carry themselves, the grace they show when things don’t go their way,” remarked Mr Blake.
As the boys from the Class of 2024 move forward, their time at St Joseph’s College will remain an indelible part of who they are, helping to guide them through life’s challenges and opportunities. In the words of Mr Blake: “Our hope is that each of you has become a man of substance and integrity, and if so, then we’ve truly succeeded. In Meliora Contende.”
A heartfelt thank you to our Year 12 parents, Alison Cant and James Hannon, for their memorable speeches at the Graduation Dinner. Your words truly captured the spirit of the evening. A special mention to Year 12 student Hayden C, who did a brilliant job as Master of Ceremonies, and to Alexander N and Ashton M for their contributions. We also extend our gratitude to the many teachers and staff who joined us to celebrate the Class of 2024 in this unforgettable final gathering.
