Good morning Dr Nikou, distinguished guests, teachers and students,
It is with great honour and privilege that I stand before you all as the DUX of 2017.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my congratulations to the Class of 2017, on not only graduating with remarkable results, a testament to their hard work, perseverance and diligence, but also, and ultimately more importantly, maturing into exceptional individuals. Year 12 was undoubtedly a challenging year for teachers, parents and of course students, however I was extremely blessed to be surrounded by dedicated teachers, supportive parents and excellent friends. Many of whom I’d like to thank today.

Firstly, to every teacher at Alphington Grammar, I thank you for creating an atmosphere that allowed us to not only thrive and succeed in our education, but also to enjoy our lives at the same time. To learn from teachers who genuinely enjoy passing on their knowledge and care for the students like their own, was a privilege for which I will always be thankful for. I’d like to give a special mention to my English teacher since year 9, Mr Silver. You invested hours and hours of your time in me, going above and beyond your obligations as a teacher, and for that I am eternally grateful. Without your help, belief and dedication, I would not be where I am today, so thank you for mentoring me. I, like the rest the cohort will certainly miss your banter and enthusiasm. I also want to personally thank each of the teachers who taught me for the duration of year 12: my Literature teacher Ms Grealish, my Maths teacher Mrs Varghese, my Psychology teacher Mr Papoulis, my Legal teacher Mr Logan and my History Teacher Mrs Goodrope. Your endless, devoted commitment to my success undeniably paved the path for me, and I hope that you will all continue to give to this community what you have given to me.

When I first arrived at the gates of Alphington Grammar I had no idea of the tremendous impact this school would have upon me, forging me into the individual I am today. Since year 7, Alphington has provided countless resources and a nurturing environment conducive towards learning and personal growth. Alphington Grammar School is so much more than an educational institution, it is a community that truly elicits the very best of every individual as reflected by the stellar results of the class of 2017.

For me, year 12 was, despite its difficulties, one of the best years of my life, and I learnt a great deal. Some of which I’d like to share with the younger year levels today.

To those going into year 11, I’d encourage all of you to take a year 12 subject. The score you get will either serve as a much needed wake up call, or it will prove to you that you’re on the right track and you just need to keep doing what you’re doing.

To the class of 2018, understand one thing, and understand it well, there is no clear blueprint for success in VCE. Simply put, hard work and determination coupled with discipline and consistency are vital to achieving your goals. The reality is, school work is rarely fun, and often, it can be tedious and boring, but you have to be willing to push yourself. Break down barriers of laziness and procrastination, overcome distractions and force yourself to do work that you do not necessarily want to do. Whilst this may sound daunting, I can guarantee you that the end reward will be extremely satisfying. Ultimately in year 12, academic ability on its own is of little use. Instead, it must be matched with the capacity to adapt with changing circumstances, and a desire to grind and consistently perform. Additionally another piece of advice I would like to impart upon you is to trust your own judgement and do what works for you. Now of course you should listen to the advice of those around you, especially your teachers, however, you must learn to trust your instincts and do what you see is in your best interests. Further, throughout Year 12 I think it is essential to recognise that whilst life will be dominated by your studies, you should still seek to maintain a balance. You don’t have to give up your extracurricular activities, social life, or even unplug the PS4. On the contrary, you should keep these things as they will often provide the respite you need from your studies. For me, I played tennis throughout the year which allowed me a break from the

stresses of year 12. Nevertheless, understand that less time will be devoted to these areas and be willing to make the necessary sacrifices required in order to achieve your goals.

Now I can stand up here for hours and give you advice on how to succeed in year 12, but ultimately the desire must come from within. Granted, year 12 is not the be all end all, and most careers can be reached without a very high ATAR, however, this should not be an excuse to becoming complacent in year 12. After all, there is no worse feeling than knowing you did not fulfil your potential.

With this in mind I wish all current year twelves best of luck with their future, wherever it leads them, and to all, a safe and prosperous 2018.

Thank you all for listening.