Nau mai haere mai!

This week I would like to reflect on all the amazing achievements of students at our school.

On Friday we had our Year 7/8 students that participated in the North Otago Rugby League Tournament and took home the trophy. In the afternoon some of those players and others came very close to winning their final in the hockey at McMillan Turf. Later that night the senior girls Basketball team won their grade, led by a person of the match performance from Summer Hunter. On Saturday both Netball teams won their semi finals convincingly. Sunday, 11 students played well in the Dunedin Representative Netball Tournament.

On Tuesday I took a group of students to Karitane to participate in a Halo project planting native trees and grasses in vulnerable wetlands. This was a great chance for these students to learn about our environment and the positive actions we can take to make a difference in our communities.

So today, I'd like to cover the concept of personal excellence—a journey towards becoming the best version of ourselves. Personal excellence isn't about competing with others; it's about challenging ourselves to reach our own highest potential, in every aspect of our lives.

Just as a sculptor chips away at a block of marble to reveal a masterpiece, we too can sculpt our lives through dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Personal excellence is a mindset, a conscious decision to set high standards and strive to surpass them.

One of the key components of personal excellence is self-awareness. It's important to know our strengths and weaknesses, our passions and areas for growth. By understanding ourselves, we can focus on leveraging our strengths while working on our weaknesses. This self-awareness empowers us to make informed decisions that align with our aspirations.

Setting goals is another vital aspect of personal excellence. Goals give us direction and purpose. They provide a roadmap for our journey towards excellence.

But the path to personal excellence isn't always smooth. Challenges, setbacks, and failures are inevitable. However, it's how we respond to these challenges that defines our journey. Embracing a growth mindset allows us to view setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement. Each stumble becomes a stepping stone toward our greater self.

Michael Jordan once said "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

Consistency is the bridge between our goals and their realisation. The small, daily efforts we put in accumulate over time, leading to significant progress. Whether it's dedicating time to learn a new skill, adopting healthier habits, or nurturing relationships, consistency is the key that unlocks personal excellence.

Furthermore, personal excellence is not a solitary endeavour. Surrounding ourselves with a supportive network of mentors, peers, and loved ones can provide valuable insights, encouragement, and accountability. Together, we can inspire each other to achieve new heights and share in each other's successes.

In summary, personal excellence is the continuous pursuit of our best selves. It's about embracing self-awareness, setting meaningful goals, persevering through challenges, maintaining consistency, and fostering meaningful connections.

Personal excellence is not a destination but a lifelong pursuit—one that enriches our lives and leaves a positive impact on the world around us.

Nga mihi nui

Marcus Cooper

Principal/Tumuaki

East Otago High School