Year 12 Graduation and Valedictory 2026

The final weeks of Year 12 are marked by a series of celebrations that honour thirteen years of schooling, thank families and send our graduates out as "light in the darkness". This page brings together every date, booking deadline and dress code for the Class of 2026 so that families can plan. Year 12 Coordinator Mr James Whelan and Head of Senior School Mr Tom Brennan coordinate the program with the Year 12 Homeroom teachers and the Student Leadership Team.

Key dates

Final Assembly — Tuesday 20 October, 9:00am

The whole Senior School gathers in Mary MacKillop Hall to farewell Year 12. The program includes the Principal's address, student speeches from the College Captains, presentation of the Year 12 tie-pin and MacKillop medallion to every graduate, the House Cup announcement and the traditional Year 12 song. Parents, grandparents and Junior School siblings are welcome; please be seated by 8:50am. The assembly runs for about 75 minutes. Year 12 students wear full winter uniform with blazer and may wear their Year 12 jersey afterwards for the rest of the day.

Graduation Mass — Tuesday 20 October, 6:00pm

The Graduation Mass is celebrated by Fr Michael Dwyer in St Mary of the Cross Church, with Sr Bernadette Long rsj and the Senior Chamber Choir. Each graduate is presented with a graduation certificate and a candle lit from the College's MacKillop candle. Supper follows in the Hall.

• RSVP on the Parent Portal → Events → Year 12 Graduation Mass by Monday 14 September 2026. The Church seats 420, so each family is allocated four seats in addition to the graduate; extra seats can be requested and are confirmed after Monday 21 September if available. There is no charge.
• Dress: students wear full winter uniform with blazer. Guests: smart.
• The Mass is live-streamed on the Parish website for family who cannot attend.
• Parking in the Chapel Road car park and Sports Centre car park from 5:15pm.

Last day — Friday 23 October

Students wear their Year 12 jersey with College trousers, skirt or kilt (not sport shorts) and school shoes for the last day. Costumes and dress-ups are not part of the day.

Valedictory Dinner — Thursday 26 November, 6:30pm

Held at Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn, the Valedictory Dinner is a formal three-course dinner for graduates, their parents or guardians, and staff. Awards including the Dux, the MacKillop Award for Service and the Sisters of St Joseph Award are presented, and the evening finishes with the graduates' slideshow and the Valedictory speech.

• Cost: $135 per head (students, parents and other guests), including three courses, soft drinks and coffee. Parents and guests may purchase wine and beer at the bar. Students are under 18 or will not be served alcohol regardless of age; this is a College event.
• Booking: Parent Portal → Events → Valedictory Dinner 2026. Each graduate may book up to two adult guests initially (usually parents); additional guests can be added to a waiting list and are confirmed after Monday 21 September. Dietary requirements are entered at booking.
• Bookings and payment close Monday 14 September 2026. Families who need a payment plan or confidential assistance should contact Business Manager Mrs Annette Kowalski before that date; no student misses Valedictory because of cost.
• Dress code: cocktail or formal. Students: suit or jacket and tie, or cocktail/formal dress. Modest and appropriate for a Catholic school event. Sneakers, thongs and denim are not suitable. Staff will contact families if there are any concerns about dress on the night.
• Transport: families make their own way. Leonda has limited on-site parking; the Hawthorn railway station is a 10-minute walk. Students are not permitted to hire party buses or limousines to the venue. Dinner concludes at 11:00pm.
• Photography by a professional photographer is included; a link to download images is sent to families in December.

Year 12 jerseys

Class of 2026 jerseys were ordered in Term 1 and distributed at the Term 2 Year 12 Mass. Jerseys may be worn to school on Fridays in Term 4 and on the last day, with College trousers, skirt or kilt, and on nominated Year 12 days approved by Mr Whelan. They are not worn to the Graduation Mass, the Valedictory Dinner or VCAA exams.

Final-week expectations

We ask our graduates to leave the College as they would want to be remembered. The College does not have a "muck-up day" and does not sanction pranks. Specifically:

• No water fights, eggs, flour, shaving cream or any activity that damages property, disrupts classes or targets younger students or staff.
• No dress-ups, costumes or face paint on the last day.
• No alcohol at any College event or on campus at any time, including before the Celebration Breakfast.
• Social media posts about the College, staff or other students must be respectful.

A student who breaches these expectations may be asked to leave the campus and, at the Principal's discretion, may be excluded from the Valedictory Dinner or Graduation Mass. In the past ten years this has been needed only twice — our Year 12 students consistently make this a week to be proud of.

After the exams

Study scores and the ATAR are released on Thursday 10 December 2026. Mrs Jenny Marsh, Mr Whelan and Mr Chris Nguyen will be available in the Careers Office from 9:00am on results day for change-of-preference advice and support. See Careers and Pathways and VCE Handbook.

Questions: Mr James Whelan via the Senior Office on (03) 9555 0100, or by Learning Hub message.