Kaes Khan still remembers his first day at ACG Strathallan. It was 2011 and he was just 3 years old, but he can still recall the warmth and kindness of Centre Manager, Sue Revill, as she led him into junior pre-school.

Fifteen years later, aged 17, he is about to graduate with the rest of his year 13 cohort - ACG Strathallan’s Class of 2025.

For Kaes, his fifteen years at Strathallan have been rich in memories. He remembers pulling his classmates around in a red trolley at senior pre-school calling out “This is your stop” when each reached their destination. He remembers his year 1 teacher, Mrs Campbell, igniting his passion for maths by teaching him to add using plastic jellybeans. He remembers his first day in year 7, feeling overwhelmed by students twice his height but excited about the new adventures ahead.

“Although the feeling of familiarity was gone, the college was a whole new dynamic for me to learn and explore,” he says.

It’s this feeling of familiarity that Kaes regards as one of the benefits of having been a student at Strathallan through pre-school, primary and college. He believes the familiar culture and environment have given him the confidence “to be able to try new things and interests.”

But all of that’s about to come to an end. He still has his final Cambridge examinations to get through, along with graduation dinner and college prizegiving, but for Kaes, the final day of term 3 was his last formal day of school – and it was a day of mixed emotions.

It started with the traditional ‘prank’ - this year a rave in the school cafeteria - and ended with the year 13 leavers’ walk, an event that has even the most stoic in tears. Students from pre-school, primary and college formed a guard of honour and applauded as the year 13 leavers walked the path from primary school to the college quad one last time.

“This is when it really clicked for me,” says Kaes. “Walking with all the people I’ve grown close to in the past fifteen years and knowing that this was my last proper day at Strathallan was a surreal experience. All the memories came flooding back.”

One of those memories is Year 10 camp at the Hillary Outdoors Centre in Tongariro National Park, which Kaes describes as a real highlight.

“It was one of the first times I managed to confidently push myself out of my comfort zone. The interactions I had with everyone – teachers, students, the staff at the camp - were truly wonderful. Even three years later I still talk about it with my friends and reminisce about our time there.”

Kaes has grown in confidence over the years and he lists this as his proudest achievement during his time at Strathallan. “When I was younger, I would be the shy, quiet kid who didn’t raise his hand to answer questions and didn’t partake in group discussions. I used to be afraid of being wrong. However, my teachers have taught me it’s okay to be wrong as long as you learn from it. I am now very confident within myself. Strathallan has really helped me evolve into the person I am today. The person who is not afraid to try new things.”

Kaes believes that the school’s values - pride, respect, integrity and compassion – which are introduced in year one, have also been instrumental in his development. Printed on every classroom wall, the values are a daily reminder of the behaviour and attitudes we should all try to embody. “They have really shaped me,” Kaes says. “Integrity was a big one for me, doing the right thing when no one is watching. I believe I have lived this value to the best of my abilities.”

Also influential is Mr O’Connor’s message, delivered at the first assembly each year: ‘Work hard and be nice’. “When I was in year 7, I brushed it off thinking it was an obvious part of life. I never fully realised how important it is to just keep those five simple words in the back of your mind.”

He will always carry those memories and values with him, but he will miss the people. “I have made many friends during my time at school and continued to do so until my final day there,” he says. “Some are staying here in New Zealand and others will be scattered across the world, but wherever we are, it is comforting to know that ACG Strathallan connects us.”

So what are his plans for next year?

“I hope to end up in Melbourne at Monash University studying a double degree in Bachelor of Commerce and Finance while living on campus. I have been in school for fifteen years so there is a whole world out there ready to explore and I am excited about the new opportunities and adventures ahead.”

There is no doubt that Kaes will make the most of those opportunities, and as he reflects on his fifteen years at Strathallan he knows he is well-equipped for the future.

“Strathallan has given me academic success along with confidence in my abilities to pursue this coming chapter in my life. Furthermore, it has shaped me into a person with pride in my achievements, respect and a high level of integrity. I wish to continue living with these ingrained values.”

And if he could give one piece of advice to his younger self, what would it be?

“Don’t let the small inconveniences shape who you are. Always look at the bigger picture and appreciate all the opportunities presented to you.”