An Open Letter to my Year 12 English Class

The two year journey with you is almost over. It is a truism that teachers are rarely shy about offering wise sayings, even platitudes when Year 12 leave, but I want to take his opportunity to reflect on our time together in good old C3 and D4.

Your graduation mass and formal are rapidly approaching. Suits and gowns have been selected, music, photos and final memories of your six years at Carroll College. Treasure this last week together. You’ll find that friends come in and out of our lives like waiters in a restaurant. There is a saying that you have a friend for a reason, for a season or for life. You will find that to be true. There will be future reunions but as a whole group, this may be the last chance for connection. Seize it!

You may never have to analyse, discuss or de-construct a piece of literature ever again but I sincerely hope you continue to read books. Good books. They are the cheapest passports available and will take you to places you may never visit. They will be good friends- non-judgemental and like any bestie, they will challenge your existing values and views or will encourage you to look at the world in a different way. Good films serve that purpose too. Sit in a darkened cinema and let the visual artistry work its magic.

What the future holds is a mystery to us all. One thing for sure is that there will be joyous highs and dolorous lows. It’s how you handle life that will define you. Henry David Thoreau in his essay “Walden”, wrote that “most people live lives of quiet desperation”. I do not want that for you. I was about your age when I saw graffiti in a Sydney railway subway that read “Consume, be silent and die!” It was a warning about focusing on the money and possessions. Teaching has provided me rewards that I would not swap for ANY higher paying job. Choose a career, profession, vocation that you are passionate about. If you jump out of bed each morning eager for the challenge of the day, you’ll know you’ve chosen well.

And as for happiness? Well, maybe it is enough to realise that it is ephemeral and beautiful. Just like sadness. I write in a journal each day to “pass the world along”. Find a means of self-expression that celebrates life and the things for which you should be grateful. Good health, happy relationships. It works for me. A modest bungalow in a lovely street in a beautiful coastal town. Remember that your HSC English mark is only one measure of success. Way leads on to way and maybe the path less travelled is for you.

Where will you end up? Well, whether it is a busker at circular Quay, a Bell’s carnival worker, a stone fruit grower from Braidwood, teacher or academic, remember that any work has nobility if you have your heart and soul in it.

So many memories since Year 7. Good times of banter and laughter between the serious academic studies and the ubiquitous essays. Each time Year 12 leave, I think of the journey.

And finally, think about your catholic education based on the ideals that we should: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” (John Wesley)

May all your storms be weathered and all that’s good get better. Here’s to life, here’s to love, and here’s to you.

God bless you all,

Mr. Cullen

Classroom Teacher