Moree Christian School’s first Year 12 cohort, from left, Charlotte Allen, Lilly Senior Lindemeyer, Katie Lee, Cale Morrison, Liam McClure and Harry Guest. Photo: Moree Online News
Six Moree Christian School students have secured a place in the school’s history as its first Year 12 cohort, more than four decades after the school began in Moree.
Principal Emily Cobb said she “couldn’t be more proud” of the inaugural group.
“They are six wonderful [young people], just lots of character,” Mrs Cobb said.
“They have just worked hard. We do mixed mode, so some online subjects, so that we can offer the breadth of subjects, and that provides challenges as they get used to what that is.
“But the Year 12s have just really weathered all of that, and they’re just such a great bunch of young people.”
The six are now looking beyond their HSC examinations, with several already securing early university entry and others considering gap years and local work.
Charlotte Allen plans to study nursing and said rural health could eventually bring her back to a community such as Moree.
“I’d love to do missionary work, which would be really exciting, but honestly it’d be awesome to come back to a rural town,” Charlotte said.
“There’s such a shortage of nursing staff, so that would be awesome to be a blessing in that way.”
Lilly Senior Lindemeyer has teaching in her sights and would also like to return to Moree.
“I do want to end up coming back to a local school here in Moree,” Lilly said.
“It’s been such a fundamental piece of my life.”
Liam McClure has secured early entry to the University of New England for a Bachelor of Sport, Exercise and Health Science, but plans to defer his studies for a gap year.
He intends to work full-time with the Salvation Army in Moree, including community service and scripture teaching, while pursuing his rugby league ambitions.
“My dream is to make it to the NRL,” Liam said.
“So also next year I’m concentrating on my footy, representing Moree as best as I possibly can.”
Cale Morrison has secured early entry for a Bachelor of Agriculture and is considering working for a year before beginning his studies.
Katie Lee plans to stay local for now and has not applied for university, with farm work and other local jobs among her options. She is also considering an Air Force gap year.
“I really enjoy equestrian activities, so I’m involved in the pony club and the shows and things like that,” Katie said.
“I enjoy aviation, so maybe something to do with that in the agricultural sector, or even maybe a bit more retail. I’ve done a Certificate III in Interior Design.”
Harry Guest has secured early entry to study engineering in Toowoomba and is considering civil engineering, council work or potentially establishing his own firm.
For Harry, leaving the school will mean leaving relationships extending well beyond his own year group.
“Just all the people really. All the connections and friendships, and even from talking to teachers to playing soccer with the kindergarten kids,” he said.
The inaugural class has completed its senior studies through a mix of face-to-face and online subjects, a model the school plans to continue developing as its secondary years grow.
Mrs Cobb said there were about 10 students in the current Year 11 cohort, with more subjects to be taught at the school next year.
“We’re actually increasing our face-to-face, so we’ll have four face-to-face subjects and two online,” she said.
“That’s our aim, to gradually increase what we can offer here based on the cohort and their interest levels.”
The milestone comes 42 years after Moree Christian School began in March 1984 with 18 students, with classes held in the hall behind Moree Baptist Church.
Mrs Cobb said the school now has about 140 students and has recently built a new senior block.
It is also preparing to introduce pre-kindy next year, extending the school from four-year-olds through to Year 12.
For Charlotte, Lilly, Liam, Katie, Cale and Harry, their final year has carried a distinction no class following them will share: they were the first.
