Page 21 - The Regent Digest Volume 13 Issue 34
P. 21
JOCHEBED PEACE
AIREDE
WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLY
SPEECH
my Mum was teaching me mental maths, she Well, I am here to remind you, again, that it
would use ice cream to help me understand – like, does not matter. That there are people here,
if Jochebed has ten ice cream cones and John at home, in the sky, even me if you’d like, who
takes away 5, how many does Jochebed have believe in you and what you are going to do.
left? And it worked! Take advantage of the opportunities to build
your confidence here: participate in debates,
Because, I hate to break it to you, but I wish some- in school productions, even if you didn’t go
one had told me: it doesn’t stop mehn. I remem- to school in England – you don’t have to sing
ber they used to tell us, “Just finish IGCSE, and you like Ayra Starr or dance like a professional, or
people can relax.” It’s a lie – because if you choose speak like the Queen, I mean I should know, but
to continue your education, to do Foundation or learn how to be confident on a stage before
A-Levels, or go to uni, you learn that you have to people. To speak your mind without fighting or
keep going. And let me tell you, it is easier to learn hiding yourself. You don’t have to be perfect.
how to manage your time now, when your only re- You will make mistakes. But try. And remem-
sponsibilities lie within these blue gates, than it is ber, whether you are Nigerian by nationality
to learn in uni, when you’ll have a job, and you’ll or not, being here means that you are one of
have to pay rent, and you’ll have to get an intern- us – and 9ja no dey carry last. So, who is a
ship, and still get a good grade. It is better to learn stranger to tell you that you are not enough?
now how to find help from your teachers, who are
available. You don’t have to like them all the time To my Year 11s, you’re ready to go, abi? Well,
– but they often know something that you don’t, to you and to anyone who worries about their
so use it. Remember that you are, in fact, at one future, remember that the Lord has already
of the finest institutions to study in this country. Do planned your tomorrow. Trust him. And, as
not waste the privilege of education that people the saying goes, problems never finish – so
like you, like the Chibok girls, have been punished try to enjoy. Enjoy your last days here with you
for. friends, who I hope have become family. Enjoy
being part of a community that cares for you.
And, for anyone looking to move abroad, these are And remember – don’t give up on yourself.
scary times to be a foreigner. You will face peo- Because tomorrow is always another day to
ple who question your excellence because of the shine and to slay. And I can’t wait to see what
colour of your skin or the colour of your passport. you do.
You might face people who claim to not under-
stand your speech because of your accent. May- Thank you.
be you’re facing that issue right now, because I
remember starting at Regent at 11 years old and
hearing that someone thought my accent was
bush because he had gone to primary school in
England and I had not.
THE REGENT SECONDARY SCHOOL 21
