The lunch on Wednesday, December 6 began the formal farewell process of the children’s last days at primary school, a time they would remember all their lives.
From 6pm, in front of the whole school community, the students sat on the outdoor decking and listened to the speeches of their two teachers, James Bodycoat and Kim Pollock, and principal Robert French.
The trio spoke of their years with the students, most from Prep class to now — seven years of education at Nagambie Primary School for most of them.
They also thanked the students, families, staff, volunteer supporters and award sponsors.
They congratulated the Year 6s on the completion of their primary school years.
Then Mr French bid farewell to 18 departing school families, thanked some volunteers for their 10 years or more of service, congratulated all Year 6 students, and wished them good luck for their high-school future on behalf of the school, families and their community.
The 27 pupils gave speeches, thanking their families, school staff and mates, and told of happy times they had shared at Nagambie Primary; many described the years of schooling as fantastic.
Mr French thanked long-time staff member Helen Heathcote for her fundraising efforts all year to pay for the graduation lunch, the graduation bear and the goodie bags given to the pupils after their speeches.
He also thanked local news and long-time school photographer Diane Grant for her 21 years of support to the school community and who, this night, would take the awards’ photos for the last time, as she plans to retire from nearly 40 years of newspaper work and photography in June 2024.
Eight of the 27 students were awarded certificates and envelopes of funds towards their high-school years.
The presentations were conducted in front of their families, staff and representatives of various organisations or clubs sponsoring the annual awards.
• The Arts Award was presented to Lily by Heidi Deane of the NPS Parents and Friends Fund Raisers group.
• The Sir Weary Dunlop Award was presented to Lori by State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.
• This was followed by the Most Improved Award sponsored by the Tabilk Junior Football Club and presented to Ruby by Catrina Hutton.
• The Trevor Boyer Encouragement Award was presented to Akiyah by Noeline Boyer.
• The Neil Lodding Sports award, sponsored by Nagambie FNC and Nagambie Cricket Club, was presented to Flynn by Sharni Lloyd.
• The Neil Lodding Perpetual Award was presented to Flynn by Helen Heathcote on behalf of Mr Lodding.
• The Kevin Verge Memorial Maths Science Award, donated by Sue Verge, was presented to Mia by Mr Bodycoat, Ms Pollock and Mr French.
• The Fran Irwin Literacy Award, donated by her husband, Keith, and son Clint Irwin, went to two students, Felipe and Shayla, and was presented by Mr Bodycoat, Ms Pollock and Mr French.
• The Citizenship Award from the Nagambie PS and Nagambie RSL was given to two students, Olivia and Ruby, by RSL member David Keall and Mr French.
• The Academic Excellence Award donated by Tahbilk Winery went to the dux of the grade, Isla, and was presented by Debbie George of Tahbilk Winery.
The parents of the award recipients were thrilled to congratulate their children after the ceremony.
The next school assembly get-together is the concert on December 14.
Families and school community supporters are invited to attend to support all the children, who have been rehearsing for weeks to impress their families, teachers and fellow schoolmates.
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