Sean Ralph on the year that was...

One of the first things you do when honoured with a role like this, is to look ahead at what might be in store for you over the upcoming year. At the time it seemed like this final address was a world away. I had all the time in the world to prepare and to eloquently summarise in a few succinct words what this time and experience at HBHS has meant to me and the current Year 13 contingent. The truth is though, I don’t believe that with any more time, or channelling the world’s best novelists and poets, I could adequately condense the past 5 years into an appropriate anecdote. So I give you no assurance that this brief narrative will do it justice, but in the spirit of HBHS, I’ll give it a nudge.

What makes the HBHS experience so memorable lies deep within the culture of the school itself. It’s the incomparable brotherhood and sense of family that has become ingrained in all of us, and it’s the sense of being a part of a tight knit community with a very personal, small school feel, despite being one of the largest in the country. It’s the most iconic secondary school in the Waikato and one of the most sought after boys' schools in New Zealand. Routinely our current and former students are recognised for achievements around the world, and in so many different disciplines. And despite going on to greater things and widespread places, our past students remain so connected with the school, many years after their final assembly. Every year we are honoured to see returning Old Boys who attend our functions and sporting events, always with the same sense of pride, regardless of how long it's been since they last walked these hallowed halls.

This raises the questions, what is it that keeps the wider HBHS community connected for so many years after school? What is it that makes HBHS so consistently successful in academic, sporting and cultural pursuits, year after year?

Is it that we are this unique assembly of supremely talented individuals that have been hand picked for greatness? I would love to say yes but in reality, probably not...

I believe that I have, however, learned the answer in my time here. The day you walk through those gates for the first time, you may not be accomplished and you certainly aren’t the finished product, but you will be equipped with the one important tool, and that’s a license. A license to be anything you can and want to be. A license to be great if you choose to be - remembering that greatness comes in many different forms. Here you are given the opportunities and constantly driven to be the very best version of yourself, and that best version of yourself is your own form of greatness.

We are the most incredible melting pot of boys from such diverse backgrounds, socio-economic roots and cultures. All coming together to form this unbreakable brotherhood that transcends ethnicity, wealth and creed. Our successes are not facilitated by extensive financial resources or the fact that we were deliberately selected, and lured here, to produce the results that HBHS has become so well known for. We were all just ordinary boys who were given the opportunity, the tools and the encouragement to become outstanding young men.

I feel strongly about imparting this clear message for all of those who will return in 2022, but equally for the class of 2021 who will be venturing out into the unknown to start the next chapter of their lives. Don’t be constrained by your own preconceived ideas of what you can achieve, and never allow others' misguided opinions limit you from exploring your full potential.

I reference my own journey as an analogy. Leaving a lesser known intermediate school, Dean and I received the typical cautionary remarks from those who perhaps chose to share a bit too liberally. Mostly the view that we were likely to get lost in the overwhelming HBHS system and probably fade off into obscurity.……. Admittedly, when we arrived from intermediate we were not that well known to the many other students or staff at HBHS, and the challenge to be recognised was equally daunting and exciting at the same time. Fuelled by determination, armed with the affirmation of the culture at HBHS, and reassured by the unwavering backing of our parents, we began what would be the most satisfying and rewarding journey through high school.

We didn’t make the Under 14A rugby team. But how valuable was the experience and development that we received while playing for the dedicated and passionate coaches. We worked hard during the season and even more so during the off-season. Countless dark, cold mornings were spent running shuttles on the footpath outside our house. With limited gym equipment available at the time, squat training involved one of us precariously balanced on the other’s shoulders, frequently leading to a squabble around sitting still for the entire set. But we got stronger and fitter, and more determined. We arrived at the Under 15 trials with complete confidence, certain that we would make the ‘A’ team…… we did not…. So after another thoroughly enjoyable season, under the care and mentorship of Mr Steel, it was back to off-season training. With more work, came more momentum, and incrementally more success. While slight progress seemed disproportionate to the immense effort invested back then, hindsight reveals that it was all incredibly worthwhile. And I am completely convinced that without the tireless efforts, motivated by the culture of excellence here, we would not have enjoyed the ultimate success and childhood dreams of playing HBHS 1st XV rugby. Our story is by no means unique. There are countless examples of the boys with us today, and hundreds before us, who have made the most of this incredible platform for development.

So many highlights that I will remember forever, only made possible by the school that doesn’t settle for mediocre. If I could ask my 3-year-old self, fresh off the boat and still sporting a broad South African accent, if one day I would one day lead the student body of this phenomenal New Zealand School, co-captain the 1st XV Rugby and even lead the Steel House Haka to victory, I am sure the answer would have been an emphatic no. But in my defence, I was 3 years old and had not yet experienced this culture and environment where you are allowed to dream big, encouraged to explore your potential and where setting easily achievable goals is selling yourself short. So whether your own personal Everest lies in academics, rugby, rowing, mountain biking, performing arts or kapa haka, there is no better breeding ground for greatness than HBHS.

Take the opportunities that are in front of you. Don’t procrastinate, assuming that the opportunity will still be there next month or next year because it likely won’t be. If the past 2 years have taught us anything, it is that opportunities can be ripped away from you without notice, and without reimbursement. I will never play a National Secondary Schools Rugby championship or ever physically take the field for the NZ Secondary Schools team. But I will leave content in the knowledge that I took the opportunities that I worked hard to create. We can’t control our environment completely, we can only work within it so we must be wise enough to recognise the opportunities that present themselves and back ourselves to take them. Be brave enough to fail, always strive for excellence, be courageous, be caring, always ensure your socks are up and your shirt is tucked in, and remember five minutes early is five minutes late.

Boys… Starting the next stage of our lives is incredibly exciting, but equally saddening. Although we will no longer assemble in these grounds each day, we will always be connected by the crest we once wore on our chests. No matter where in the world we end up, or how far we might travel, the boys around you right now will always be your brothers. Connected not only by friendship, but also by the beliefs and principles that have been so meticulously crafted by the custodians of this school, and instilled in every one of us that has passed through. The world has really become a much smaller place with the rapid speed of technological developments. Look at our parents navigating their smartphones with relative competence, like it’s some kind of wizardry, and reconnecting with their school friends all over the place. For our generation, we have this at our fingertips as just another means to maintain and grow these lifelong friendships. The friends you made at HBHS are your friends for life, I hope you chose wisely!

Before I go, I would like to acknowledge the hard work put in by the prefect group this year. It is a difficult task to put on the white shirt, assume the position of leaders and try to set an example day in and day out. But the many hours of sacrifice did not go unnoticed this year. I am incredibly proud of everything that each committee has achieved and I’d like to especially mention the efforts of the three deputy head prefects and the captains of sport and art. Throughout the year I was often asked if the Head Boy role was overwhelming. I can honestly say, thanks to the hard work of my fellow top 6 prefects, that there were very few moments where I felt overwhelmed. So to Thomas, Travis, Matthew, Taha and Tim, I thank you for all that you have done this year. It truly has been a pleasure to work with you.

To my teachers, I’d like to thank you for providing me with all the support I needed throughout the year. Balancing all my responsibilities was a difficult task, made much easier thanks to your care and attention. I’d like to especially thank Mr Tizard, my tutor teacher. It has been awesome being a part of your tutor group for the last five years, and the genuine care you have for the boys is undeniable. To my rugby coaches over all of my years, I’d like to thank you for assisting me in my development right from the Under 14 level. I'd like to give a special thank you to Mr Hotham, Mr Kirkham and Mr Asplin, for your coaching during my senior rugby career. With your help, I have become a better rugby player and a better man.

This year I have had the privilege of working closely with the Executive team. It is this team that I have always held a great deal of respect for, however, this year I was given the opportunity to get to know them a little better. I have witnessed first hand the dedication to the school, and the extra mile that they are prepared to go. I have gained a new appreciation for the time and effort that each and every member of the Executive team puts in, so I would like to thank you. I have also had the privilege of getting to know our proud Headmaster, Mrs Hassall. An extraordinary leader, and someone who genuinely cares about the school, I have learnt a lot about leadership from her. I thank you, Mrs Hassall, for trusting me with this role, and for your guidance throughout the year.

Finally, I have to dedicate a special thank you to my family. Thank you to Mum and Dad for all of your support over the years. You have always provided me with everything I needed to reach my goals, and held me accountable when necessary. I am incredibly grateful for everything that you have done for me. To Dean and Ryan, you’ve been a big part of shaping who I am today and there’s nothing like that sibling rivalry to provide that extra motivation. I’ve had my twin brother Dean by my side for my entire life, and I am incredibly grateful that we were able to share our last year with our younger brother Ryan as he began his HBHS journey. My family have been my support crew for my whole life, and there is no doubt that I would not have got to where I am today, without them.

Good luck to my fellow Year 13s, and I have no doubt that we will remain connected in the future, as the class of 2021.

PREFECT PROFILE

Quote:  “My throws aren’t that bad.”

Favourite Memory:  Making my debut for the 1st XV...

Future ambition:  Bench more than Gabe Robinson...