Here we are again, at the beginning of another Christmas period and I feel compelled to look back over the year that has been…. To me, there is just something about the Christmas period that signifies the ‘close’ of an era.
I’m humbled by all that my wonderful children have achieved this year – both academically and personally, and I’m enriched by the friends in my life who have helped us through the past year.
To my Kids – I love to brag about you!
This year saw Morgan turn 18 and finish Year 12 – milestones in any young persons life. It was really just 2 short years ago both Stuart and I were begging Morgan to just ‘finish’ Year 10. We didn’t care about the grades, we just wanted him to pass and get his Year 10 certificate. I recall being on knees begging him not to loose the opportunity and telling him that College was just one option, if it wasn’t for him we had other solutions…. So here we are at the end of 2012 and Morgan has completed 2 years of College. All power to him, he decided if he was going to do College – he would go for his Tertiary package and get a score to go to uni (no, he did not want to go to uni but why waste the opportunity). Stuart and I were so pleased – our wonderful Young Man finished Year 12, did his ATAR (Aust. Tertiary Ranking score) and passed all his classes…. what more could we want? Of course during his 2 years of College, Morgan had also completed a Certificate III in Information Technology and started a Certificate IV in IT. For reference, a Certificate III is the same qualification that an Electrician requires to sit their trade exam… a massive achievement for any young person. And yes… if Morgan decides he wants to go to Uni next year, he can!
What we had not counted on, was the ‘other stuff’ he might achieve.
At the presentation night on December 20th, our wonderful son’s efforts were recognised with the following awards:
- Academy for Interactive Entertainment award for achievement IT (which came with a significant monetary bonus)
- Achievement award for Information Technology (for the highest placing student in the course)
- Commitment award for Mathematics and Information Technology (for a student who shows commitment in each class)
From a ‘kid’ we had to beg finish Year 10 to a young man who was recognised for his efforts and achievements in his studies. Congratulations Morgan, this Mumma couldn’t be prouder.
Which brings me to my beautiful daughter Rhiannon. The end of 2011 was quite turbulent for Rhi, as Stuart and I transferred her from Trinity Christian School (a private school) to Calwell High School (a public school) and then ‘make’ her undergo interviews to get into Erindale Colleges ‘Year 10 in College’ (or Summit program). To say we had some resistance, would be an understatement however, insisting she look at the opportunities presented and make a decision then proved worthwhile.
Rhi was successful in her application to study Year 10 in the College and in addition to her Year 10 studies was able to complete Year 11 units in Science and English. She will enter Year 11 with 3 Minors under her belt already! In July, she represented Erindale College at the International Science Fair in Adelaide and had a ton of fun. As the school year closed, we knew she had done well but were pleasantly surprised with:
- Rhi being acknowledged in the “Excellence Throughout High School” award from the ACT Government. Rhi was one of 2 students from Erindale to receive the award.
- Her marks were excellent
- Rhi being awarded the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award.
To say that I wept tears of joy at her graduation would be an understatement.
Not to take away for our childrens achievements, both Stuart and I feel a certain level of ‘smug’. Certainly, it is our kids tenacity and resilience that have provided such great results – but we gave them the pathway from which to do it….. We can only shudder and think to imagine what would have happened if we had ‘compelled’ Morgan to achieve better results than he was or told Rhi she ‘MUST’ do this.
Of course, Stuarts and my year has been eventful but nothing like what our kids have achieved and this year, 2012, I’m going to leave to our kids.
Congratulations Guys – you bring a song to my heart and a tear to my eye! I’m proud to call you my kids and my friend.
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