Classy achievers of ‘08 celebrate

MORE than 40 students from the Class of 2008 at Trinity Anglican School will be back in Cairns next weekend for their 10-year reunion.

Cairns organiser Dr Sally Hall says some are flying in from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to catch up with former classmates on June 30, while others are still in Cairns.

She says they will have a tour, canapes and drinks at the school before heading to Salt House for a reunion dinner.

“I always felt I was able to be myself at TAS,” says Dr Hall, 26, who studied veterinary bioscience at Sydney University and has a PhD in biological sciences from the University of Newcastle.

“Friends were endless and teachers went above and beyond to support me.

“I made friendships with people I met in Year 4 when starting at TAS that remain my closest friends to this day. My friends at TAS knew everything about me and were always accepting of me.”

Dr Hall says the school also gave her lots of opportunity outside the classroom, including singing with a jazz orchestra, debating and outdoor education “all of which shaped me into the author, scientist and speaker I am today”.

Cairns business owner Chantelle Kenyon, 27, who runs Candy in Grafton St, has fond memories of the school.

“Some of my greatest memories are from my schooling,” she said. “Our grade was very close and my closest friends are still the ones I met at TAS.

“TAS provided me with many opportunities. All the teachers really went that extra mile to make sure I gained all you could from school.

“I have a really great attitude and always push myself into every opportunity and really believe in my ability, which I think TAS had a lot to do with,” Ms Kenyon says.

Cairns entrepreneur Jade Turnbull, 27, says her cohort was “full of driven and very capable individuals”.

“Looking back at my time at TAS, I can see how many leaders were created,” says the founder and director of Platinum Model Management.

TAS deputy principal Margaret Kennedy says the class of 2008 was a “focused and dynamic group who have certainly left their mark on TAS”.

“We are very proud of the lofty heights they have achieved and are looking forward to welcoming them back to TAS for their 10-year reunion.”

The Class of 2008 reunion starts at 3.15pm, June 30 with a tour of TAS.

Details at TAS Seniors 08 on Facebook. The Class of 1998 20-year reunion is on August 3-4 and the Class of 1988 will hold a 30-year reunion on August 17-18.