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Head Prefect’s Speech
I would like to take this opportunity rst of all to welcome you all here tonight. My name is Tim Price and I have had the honour of being your Head Prefect for 2018. Those
of you who have sat through numerous assemblies this year will know that public speaking is not my strong point, but here we go. Please bear in mind that it is harder for me to do, than for you to listen too.
It is hard to believe that seven years ago I pulled on the Southland Boys’ High School uniform for the very rst me, and tonight
is my last. What an incredible journey it has been, and the short mid li le boy of 7 years ago displays no resemblance to who I am today (well except for the shortness).
Personally, I have enjoyed my me at Southland Boys’ and wouldn’t have it any other way. I have taken advantage of the wealth of opportuni es and new experiences and I would encourage you all to do the same. It’s a cliché to say, you don’t appreciate your me at school un l it is gone. For the class of 2018, next year will be the start
of a new chapter in our lives, whether its further study at university or at polytechnic, an appren ceship, overseas experience or dagging lambs, we will be separated for the rst me in 7 years. Everyone will have a di erent journey through life but whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability.
When I started at Southland Boys’ High School so many years ago, my overriding ambi on was to get into the 1st XV
and academic achievement ran a very distant second. However, my percep on has changed and the teaching sta had other ideas. With their dedica on and perseverance it has allowed me to achieve results I didn’t image were possible. So, thank you for that.
The pinnacle of my Southland Boys’ High School life would be my rugby years. The culmina on being the Highlanders’ nal last year at home, where we found ourselves down by 15 points late in the second half
to arch rivals Otago Boys’. However, in a spirited ght back we won on the nal play of the game. One week later we also got over the line on the last play of the game against a strong Christchurch Boys’ side which sent us to Top 4 Na onals up in Palmerston North. The crowd that came out to those games
to watch the “Royal Blue” was unbelievable and made me hugely proud to play in the pres gious jersey and call myself a Southland Boys’ High boy. The experience playing in Palmerston North against the 2 top New Zealand teams was both exhilara ng and downright scary, but an experience I will never forget.
There is such a diversity of cultures here and it is a testament to the sta that each and every student has been given the opportunity to develop their individual strengths and di erences. We have been mentored and encouraged every step of the
way, and on behalf of myself and my fellow students I would like to personally thank
Mr Coe and the teaching and support sta . Personally, I would like to make special men on of Ms Hepburn who has guided me through many years of my least favourite subject, English, with some success. Also, Mr Roberts and Mr Welsh, your pa ence and humour got us both through some trying mes in the classroom. Mrs Roberts and Mrs Petelo, your quiet guidance and unrecognised support has been very much appreciated by myself. What I have learnt from all of you, I will keep for life.
Southland Boys’ High School has provided us boys with a reliable and sociable environment in which to develop and grow. We have learnt, enjoyed ourselves, played some great sport, performed excep onal spectacles, formed friendships and we have made mistakes and learnt from them. Thank you again to our teachers and our parents for standing by us as we grow from boys to men. It is not always an easy journey, for you or for us, but we made it. Now it is our me.
To the men who have been and gone before me, and to all the ne young men in this room, thank you for suppor ng me as your Head Prefect this year. I’m not going to lie, at mes I have wondered whether I was good enough, and deserved this honourable role. I doubted myself that I wouldn’t live up to previous head prefects, but I have never stopped a emp ng to be a leader who did not let you down. Being in this role has been an unreal experience and also challenging
at mes. I have learnt and developed as a person, so much since taking this role, but have got back from you far more than I have given, and I am so grateful for that.
Tonight, we are here to congratulate
those who have made the most of 2018
at Southland Boys’ High School. To those of you who have received a trophy, or an award or a cer cate, my congratula ons to you. It is an acknowledgement of your talent, dedica on and work ethic. By taking those a ributes with you in life you will
no doubt succeed, whatever you decide to embark on.
My personal mo o has always been “Be yourself” and I have tried very hard to live by this. At mes this is a hard thing to do when all we really want to do, each and every one of us, is to t in. But boys, if you take nothing else from my speech tonight, please hear this...... always be yourself, and listen to that li le voice inside you that tells you right from wrong. If you are around a situa on that makes you feel uncomfortable, like bullying or unwanted behaviours, please step in and speak up and be heard. I assure you, that once you do, others will join in. Don’t be afraid of being di erent, be afraid of being the same as everyone else.
A whole lot of what I have achieved in my years here at Southland Boys’ is not down to me, it has been down to my friends and family. I am lucky enough to have been surrounded by a group of boys that all have something di erent to o er and that is what
makes them so great. We have spent plenty of good mes together and I hope there are many more to come. You boys know who you are and it has been a pleasure.
I have to thank all three of my older brothers for teaching me the rights and wrongs and for your guidance throughout my life to date. From a young age, you have led the way with your footsteps and I have followed. Side by side or countries apart, my brothers will always be in my heart.
My greatest achievements have come down to two in uen al people, Mum and Dad.
I feel very privileged to have two driven, however, suppor ve parents by my side. My early years, I know were trauma c, but there is a saying. “There’s always light at the end of the tunnel, some tunnels are
just longer than others”. You have given
me direc on, inspira on and advice when I have needed it the most. As a result of this
I have been able to accomplish so many goals I never thought were possible. I am forever in your debt and I can’t thank you enough, for your love and support and for everything else you have done for me. Not just me, but thank you for the lengths you go to for us kids. As 2016 Head Prefect Flynn Thomas said, “People seek material wealth, but to see your mother smile and
to receive the honourable handshake from your father, is all the reward I need”. I hope I have made you proud of who I am today.
My me at Southland Boys’ has come to an end, however I will take all our memories, learnings and friends out of the Southland Boys’ gates, and will cherish these for life. If you see me out on the street boys, please be sure to stop and say hello. I wish the returning students all the best through the rest of their schooling years. I also wish
the incoming Head Prefect all the best for 2019. To the Leavers of 2018 I wish you the very best in your journey through life, and thank you for being part of the incredible year that was 2018.
Tim Price
Head Prefect
SOUTHLAND BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL SOUTHLANDIAN NOT FOR SCHOOL BUT FOR LIFE WE ARE LEARNING
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