Jodie Litchfield promised her students she wouldn’t cry.

But she did.

In her role as year advisor at Moree Secondary College, Jodie has been closely connected to the 2025 Year 12 cohort since their Year 8 days.

She supports students through all aspects of schooling, especially welfare, and is the first point of contact for parents.

But it’s much more than that. Jodie has watched this group of Year 12 students grow and develop over five years.

Moree Secondary College students Ruby Humphries, Denna McGrady, Gloria Leqeti, Mackenzie Cubis and Gabrielle Denyer, with year advisor Jodie Litchfield (Image Supplied).

In 2021, they were wide-eyed kids not long out of primary school. They’re now young adults, ready to take on the world. For Jodie, they’re family.

She proudly addressed Moree Secondary College staff, students, parents and invited guests at a special school assembly on the last day of Term 3, and fondly praised her team of rising stars.

“I promised everyone I wouldn’t cry,” she smiled.

“But I’m passionate about getting the message out that Moree has many great young people in our community, with great futures ahead of them.

“I have supported these incredible students through friendship dramas, times when they’ve been unsure about whether to keep going, or to drop out – all the high school things.

“There has also been many long phone calls with parents to help support them,” Jodie said.

At the beginning of Term 1, Jodie and the Year 12 leadership team –  Talara Munro, Jaxon Budiada, Carlo Julague, Phoenix Sweeney, Jasper van’t Spyker, Isabella Young, Ruby Humphries, Emelia Dyer, Sam Coulton and Jacob Young – established a campaign to raise funds for a nominated local charity or organisation.

Jaxon Budiada said the team selected Moree Gwydir Industries to be the first beneficiary of all money raised, and the team set about doing just that.

“This year our cohort debated a number of community groups and selected Gwydir Industries, which provides employment training and real work experience for people with disabilities,” Jaxon said.

Moree Secondary College students Talara Munro, Ruby Humphries, Denna McGrady sell bottled water at Moree on a Plate earlier this year. Year 12 students raised more than $2000 for Gwydir Industries at numerous fundraising events during the school year.

Jodie said more than $2100 was raised for one of Moree’s best-loved organisations.

“Throughout the year, various fundraisers were organised and run by the Year 12 students,” Jodie said.

And the students were kept busy all year.

Fundraisers included a barbecue and canteen at the school swimming carnival, Easter Egg guessing competition and bottled water sales at Moree on a Plate.

“The students also organised a bake sale at the school, and pancakes and hot chicken and gravy rolls at our athletics’ carnival,” Jodie said.

“The final fundraiser for the year was a mega raffle, with many local businesses donating prizes.”

Jodie said Talara Munro and Ruby Humphries inspired everyone with their creative ideas and other students volunteer their time and went above and beyond.

“During the year, Samuel Coulton organised a head shave, and personally raised $1117 for Leukaemia Foundation,” Jodie said.

“Samuel had his head shaved in front of the school assembly. His enthusiasm and passion for such a cause is to commended.”

New school leaders were announced at last week’s assembly, with Stella Hurle, Isabelle Kelly, Joshua Rigby, and Benjamin Walker starting official duties in Term 4. The new roles will carry them through to the end of Term 3 next year.
Stella Hurle said the leadership team looks forward to involving the Year 12 cohort in next year’s fundraising endeavours.

“As the new Year 12 cohort, our first order of business next term will be to vote for a local charity to support throughout 2025, and we look forward to maintaining the tradition started this year,” Stella said.