This week we were fortunate to have ex Geraldine High School student and BNZ Agribanking Partner, Dan Cummings speak at our Pathway Assembly for all Year 10 -13 students. Dan shared his banking journey thus far and also deliver some important messages for our students.

The following is an excerpt from his speech:

"One thing I would encourage you to do is take your opportunities that are presented to you. Take control - the world is more malleable than you think, and it’s waiting for you to hammer it into shape. So look for opportunities; look for growth; look for impact; look for a mission. Move sideways; move down; move on; move off; build skills. Dictate what you can do, don’t leave it for the world just to give you a job title at the end of it. Anything is possible. Don’t let people put you in a box.

The last thing I want to leave you with, something I have learnt time and time again in this world - is just to be nice to people. I know you will all have your friend “groups” at school here now, but trust me when I say that when you leave the security of this place and enter the world, you will soon realise that the people in those other groups here at school, right now, are bloody good buggers too. You will soon realise that whatever status or position you have here in the school yard, doesn’t mean a thing out there. Why not take the time now, to get to know others and relate to people with a different story than you. So just be nice to people. Talk to people. If you see someone in trouble or needing a hand, go see if you can help because sure as anything, you will need that help back one day."