The Meriden community bid farewell to the Class of 2023 at a heartfelt graduation ceremony held at the International Convention Centre. Students from Years 7 to 11, staff, family and friends came together to celebrate this compassionate, generous and joyful cohort.
Principal, Mrs Lisa Brown, extended her congratulations, emphasising that the school community has been greatly enriched by the involvement and contributions of every girl.
“You have given of yourselves as you have sought to serve God and others. You have been generous with your time, talents and abilities, helping and serving others, and you have been forgiving when others have made mistakes. In a world where we are sometimes encouraged to be selfish, you have been generous,” she said.
Mrs Brown commended the Year 12 students for their enthusiasm and proactive approach in pursuit of excellence and expressed her confidence in their readiness for the upcoming journey that awaits them.
“As I reflect on the attitudes and values of a Meriden education, I can say that you are ready to move on. The training and warm-up are done. You are limber and alert, and you could not be more prepared. Be confident as you begin the race,” said Mrs Brown.
Chairman of Meriden School Council, Reverend Dr Andrew Katay, presented each Year 12 student with a Graduation Certificate and bestowed awards that recognised the cohort’s outstanding accomplishments.
Sophia Yang was named Dux of the School, having achieved a high level of academic excellence across all her subjects. Additionally, she received the Economics, Latin Continuers and Latin Extension prizes.
Sports Prefect, Sienna Leeson, was presented with the Service to School Sport for her generous and encouraging service to sport at Meriden, as well as the ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award.
Other honours presented included the Fidelis Award for Courage, which was presented to Te Akaiti Toa; The Rotary Prize for Citizenship, which was presented to Khushi Jain; and the Ampol Best All-Rounder award which was presented to Alannah Yenson in recognition of her leadership skills demonstrated across a range of activities at Meriden.
In 2023, seven Year 12 students earned Meriden’s prestigious School Colours award. This honour is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional prowess in a cocurricular area. The recipients have not only demonstrated excellence in their respective fields, but they have also served as outstanding ambassadors throughout their time at the School.
School Colours were awarded to:
Ada Rand – Athletics
Alexandra Richards – Athletics
Ci A Lee – Judo
Jasmine Ye – Rhetoric
Jacinta Rees – STEM
Sienna Leeson – Tennis
Zoe Thomas – Water Polo
