VPHS
Valedictory Speech
Daniella Patsalos
know you will all agree with me when I say that
once a Victorian, always a Victorian and the laurel,
the cross and the crown will forever remain imprinted on our hearts.
Matrics of 2014; you are a fantastic bunch of people. I love you all and I am so grateful for the time
we spent together – albeit very short – and I am so
thankful for all the lasting memories and impressions you have left with me. You have all added to
my life and have made my high school career extremely enjoyable. I cannot comprehend the idea of
not seeing you all next year as we go our separate
ways. I am so proud of the people you are and the
people you will become.
A lot of who we have become we owe to these incredible staff members sitting alongside me. I remember Mr Vermaak a few years ago, at a ceremony
just like this, handed an envelope to a Matric pupil
and asked her to place it in front of the teacher who
had had the most impact in her life. I would never
be able to do that because each of you has left an
enormous impression on my life.
Good afternoon Mr Vermaak, honoured guests,
staff, parents and pupils and of course, with all the
love in my heart, my fellow Matrics of 2014.
To the staff, thank you for all that you have done.
Thank you for helping us, guiding us and teaching
us and for always being so willing, dedicated to and
passionate about what you do. You are inspirational
and the life lessons you have taught us are invaluable.
26280 hours, 4380 days and our 12 year voyage
through school has come to an end. For some, it
has been a rollercoaster ride – over in a matter of
minutes, but for others it has seemed like another
episode of “Going Nowhere Slowly”. However, no
matter the path or journey we took getting here, we
have arrived.
To our parents, to my parents and family, thank you
from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have
done for us. Thank you for all that you have provided
and given to us. Thank you for what you have taught
us throughout our young lives and for all the love,
care, guidance, money and petrol you have spent on
us. We really and truly appreciate everything you do
for us, even if it may not seem like it.
Matrics, take a brief moment and look around. Observe the people sitting next to, behind or in front of
you; the ones you passed in the corridors and hardly
ever spoke to or the people you couldn’t go a day
without seeing. Think back to Grade 8, to our glamorous Junior Prom, our Fun Day, camp and dances. Think of all the friendships we have lost and
formed, all the memories, experiences and changes
we have been through and as you look back I’m sure
you will realize how crucial a role Victoria Park has
played, in moulding the unique and special people
we are sitting here today.