A bear for bearing 13 years of school

GRADUATION bears were presented to year 12 students at Pakenham’s Beaconhills College when they said farewell to the school.
Seventeen of the class of 2006 had spent their entire school lives at the college.
Prep students presented the bears at a church service on the year 12s’ last day of school. The farewell gifts were soon covered with messages from wellwishers.
Beaconhills head of campus Jill Wilson said the college community was proud of the year 12s who had behaved very well on their final day.
“Their conduct reflected their respect for themselves, teachers and the college,” Mrs Wilson said.
During the final day, students presented the college with an oak tree that was planted in the memorial grove. The year 12s also performed at a special assembly and enjoyed a barbecue lunch with teachers.
“The day was especially significant for the college and the 17 year 12 students who began their schooling with the college in preparatory and concluded their 13 years of education at Beaconhills this year,” college marketing assistant Kerryn Hart said.
“A special tree commemorating this milestone, purchased by the year 12s, was planted in the junior school garden.
“In return, each student was presented with a framed photograph of their prep grade together with a current photograph of them in 2006 at the valedictory dinner.”