LEADERSHIP The Head Prefect’s Prize-giving Speech
Whakataka te hau ki te uru, Whakataka te hau ki te tonga. Kia ma¯kinakina ki uta, Kia ma¯taratara ki tai. E hi ake ana te atakura. He tio, he huka, he hauhuˉ ¯
whatever we boys can do, the staff can do better, and they have put in a monumental effort to make this year what it was. The whakatauki, “Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head let it be to a lofty mountain” underpins the theme of my speech today; the importance of goal setting in pursuing your aspirations and the character it takes to get there. We live in a world where we are constantly influenced by who we should be and what we are capable of. Yet, what brings joy and fulfillment to one person doesn’t always translate to the next. You need to find your own passion, the treasure you value most dearly, and chase it. Treasure does not simply refer to money – research indicates that surplus money, above meeting basic needs, does not bring increased happiness – but the purpose you have, the reason you get up in the morning. It may be the relationships you build, the challenge of your career, the ability to help others, but it must come from you. The key to making this a reality is having smart goals – goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. You are all capable of this – and you only have to look at the huge number of College boys who have started going to the gym to prove this. Everyone at the gym has their own goals and it is the visible progress towards these goals that drives one to keep going. Goals and self-direction are vital for success, so take the time to reflect on your own dreams and aspirations. Those that have made a difference to this
world are the ones who have dared to dream, who have reached for the impossible. If you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain. With big goals, even if you fall short you are likely to have achieved something worthwhile. Despite the difficulties we have faced this year, the level of success that we have achieved as a school is remarkable. We have had a great year of academics, drama, music, service and in particular, sport, which is definitely one for the record books. I don’t think there has been much change in the athletic ability of College boys over the years, so what is the source of this success? I believe it has come from the growth in character in our boys and teams, aided by programmes run by John Quinn. A common theme from these sessions is that ultimately the process is more important than the outcome. Process stems from strong values – perseverance and grit to master the challenging and boring skills, or humility to take on constructive criticism. With the process in place the outcome follows, but the way we win is more important. Bill Walsh said, “Champions behave like champions before they are champions” and being able to win humbly, lose graciously and treat others with respect is at the crux of this. This was evident at the rugby match against Christchurch Boys’ High School this year; not only because we won the game, but also because as I sat on the bench, the abuse I was copping from select Boys’ High supporters was drowned out by the positive support from our
Tihei Mauri Ora!
Kia koutou nga¯ rangatiratanga, me nga¯ wha¯nau. Te¯na¯ koutou Kia koutou nga¯ kaiako, me nga¯ a¯konga o tenei kura Te¯na¯ koutou Otira¯ kia koutou katoa, Te¯na¯ tatou. Nau mai, haere mai. He whakatauki tenei Wha¯ia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain. Chair of the board, Mr Wynne, staff, students, wha¯nau and the wider College community on the livestream – welcome to senior prize-giving. The school year is often considered a marathon, not a sprint, and the challenges of Covid-19 have made it feel as though further hurdles have been added on our path. As we witness every year at Athletics day, College boys who trip and fall on the steeplechase hurdles always get back up and keep going. This epitomises the way we as a school, have responded to the setbacks of the year. As shown in our tragic loss in the Staff vs Prefect relay however,
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Christ’s College Canterbury
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