It was a bittersweet moment when the Deniliquin Christian School community came together for its presentation evening in December.
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It was the final ever presentation night for the school, which was attended by many children from the Southern Riverina region.
It was decided in September, after 26 years, to close the school at the end of the school year.
The decision was made due to waning enrolment numbers.
Presentation night was a chance to reflect on those 26 years, and celebrate the individual and group achievements of the students in 2022.
Attendees for presentation evening included Member for Murray Helen Dalton, past head of school Peter Nelson, past principalship team member Kate Polkinghorn, Murray River Councillor Frank Crawley, representatives of Murray Irrigation, Deniliquin Anglican Church, Deniliquin Baptist Church and school Board members, as well as past and present students, staff and their families.
The evening showcased a range of visual presentations, showing photos taken throughout the years of the school’s operation, which was a blast from past for many present.
A range of presenters spoke of the positive impact of the school across the years, caring for and nurturing the hundreds of students who have attended, as well as their families.
Board chair Chris Taylor thanked the staff for being the “backbone of the school” through a number of difficult years, including COVID.
At the end of the evening, the children took pens to sign each other’s school shirts, and each family was gifted a final commemorative Yearbook, which included reflections on the school from past students, parents and teachers.
Each student was individually recognised for their contributions to the school with an encouragement award, as well as some major awards sponsored by a range of local organisations and families.
In addition to the student awards, current board members Chris Taylor, John Fowler, Rebecca Rickard, Gavin Vale and Ruth Hampton were recognised for their service to the school with a gift of a locally made pen and pencil set.
Husband and wife, Paul and Helen Arundell, were gifted with a locally made clock, to show appreciation for their roles as principal and librarian/teacher’s aide over the last two years.
Students and staff concluded their time at DCS with prayer and party poppers, to finish with a bang.
“There were some tears, which truly showed the impact the school has had for its children,” teacher Carolyn Murphy said.
“Marking all of the events was a constant thankfulness to God for His graciousness to the school and its people over the years, and trust in Him for the futures of all the students and staff, both past and present.”
Presentation night awards:
Creative Arts: Infants – Elvira Laing-Smith; Stage 2 – Charlette Gray; Stage 3 – William Hurst; Secondary – Hanah Alpen.
Keen Learner Awards: Infants Class – Lydia Everingham; Stage 2 – Nathan Butcherl; Stage 3 – Isabella Fountain.
Secondary Academic Encouragement Awards: Stage 4 – Kacey Ralph; Stage 5 – Mark Busby.
Rotary Academic Achievement Awards: Stage 4 – Peter Everingham; Stage 5 – Adam Bryar.
School graduates: Year 6 – Isabella Fountain, William Hurst, Sarah-Jane Nolan and Ally Smith; Year 10 – Tajh Alpen and Adam Bryar.
Year 6 Mayor’s Citizenship Award –Sarah-Jane Nolan.
Students of the Year: Infants – Thomas Ralph; Stage 2 – Reuben Everingham; Stage 3 – Josiah Everingham; Stage 4 – Taylah Nolan; Stage 5 – Niketa Graham.
Head of School Christ-Like Contribution Award – Zachary Dawson.
Sports Awards: Infants – Brock Smith; Stage 2 – Reuben Everingham; Stage 3 – Josiah Everingham; Stage 4 – Noah Alpen; Stage 5 – Jaia Preston.
Sporting Champions:
Swimming: Junior Boy – Josiah Everingham; Junior Girl – Emma Taylor; Senior Boy – Peter Everingham; Senior Girl – Brianna Hillman.
Athletics: Junior Boy – Brock Smith; Junior Girl – Ally Smith; Senior Boy – Noah Alpen; Senior Girl – Taylah Nolan.
Winning Sporting House – Wakool.
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