That’s what happened in late 2020 when the St Agnes’ Parish Year 12 Graduates, from three Colleges in Port Macquarie, faced the chance of their Graduation being canceled. Instead of bowing out, of this highly anticipated right of passage, the three Principals of St Joseph’s Regional, MacKillop College, and Newman Senior Technical College worked together to deliver three consecutive events, that complied with the COVID safe recommendations, and provided a beautiful alternative to this formal celebration.
Thankfully this remarkable group of graduating young women and men had the opportunity to shine bright in front of proud family members, friends, and staff when everything thing else around them was canceled or jeopardized by COVID restrictions. It was no mean feat with close to 1000 guests over three nights. Caterers Agostina, utilised the Newman College Hospitality Department’s commercial kitchens. Hire Port came to the party with their massive marquee, tables, and lighting. InPhase Productions covered all the outside PA, AV, and music equipment and the staff from all three Colleges spent tireless hours coordinating the invitations, decorating, speeches, photography, parking and student flow.
It’s times like these that you see true teamwork in action and care factor hit an all-time high. Although we hope never to see such uncertain times repeat – one thing you can be sure of is that if life throws a difficult challenge – we know our Parish and its team of educators and workers can be counted on to pull together and rise to it.