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Rotary Youth Merit Awards
Following is the speech delivered by Ms K Hickman at the Rotary Youth Merit Awards presenta on:
“It is with pleasure that I introduce you to Ruairidh MacCallum, and join him, along with his parents to celebrate his receiving this award tonight. I nominated Ruairidh
to be the Southland Boys’ High School recipient because of what I have witnessed as his homeroom teacher. Ruairidh is a
boy who never complains or shows any sense of en tlement. He quietly goes about everything with very li le need for recogni on. This is an opportunity to show Ruairidh that he is appreciated for being himself.
I see when you choose to work with the person that no one else in the class wants to work with...
I see when you spend longer dying the classroom at the end of the day...
I see when you help a classmate to understand...
I see a lot of things you probably don’t realise...
I’m not the only one who sees things. This is how your classmates see you...
‘He is honest and trustworthy and an amazing friend.’
‘I think Ruairidh is the best in the Class’. ‘He always tells the truth when there is an argument over who won a game in PE.’
‘Ruairidh is a kind, caring person who always nds a way to cheer you up when you’re down.’
And my personal favourite...
‘He has a good habit of being good, even when he is on his own.’
Others who teach Ruairidh view him in the same light and shared these comments.
‘From day one he adopted the ‘Boys’ High Way’.’
‘He has been one of my best Year 8 students all year.’
‘He displays a great deal of humility with the excellent marks he receives.’
In his rst year at Boys’ High he played cricket and hockey, joined the Junior Choir, and was in the ensemble for the Junior Produc on. He also competed in the SMAC maths team and the Spelling Bee.
This year he has played in the 2nd XI Hockey team, stepping up to ll a gap in a team in which it is unusual for a Year 8 boy to play. He has not only been in the Junior Choir but was also in the school’s Senior Choir a er asking in Year 7 if he was able
to join whilst maintaining his commitment to the Junior Choir. Ruairidh never misses a rehearsal, despite that meaning he spends 4 lunch mes a week in the Music Room. He has a lead role in the junior produc on and again competed in SMAC Maths. I asked Ruairidh to compile a list of his involvement at school. It was just a humble list, to which I have added the detail. He did not men on in his list that at the end of Year 7 he was elected by his peers and sta as a Year 8 Ambassador.
It is again with pleasure that I have been asked to introduce you to Ruairidh, who I look forward to seeing grow into a ne young man as he progresses through the school.”
Sam Colyer Interview
from Room 19G
Ethan Brock, Willie Beadel and Mathew Speight, Year 8 students from Room 19G interviewed Sam Colyer, who has had an outstanding season of athle cs:
When did you start athle cs and why?
I started at age 10 at school and found out I enjoyed it and did quite good, so I carried on with athle cs.
How much do you train and what is your training schedule?
I train on the track four mes a week and go to the gym twice a week with a rest day on Friday, before compe ng in the weekend.
What was it like travelling to Vanuatu and trialling for the Youth Olympics?
It was a di erent experience compe ng with be er people and compe ng against the boy who won gold at the Youth Olympics. He jumped 7.89m and was from Cuba.