Mōhua Head Prefects Address

7 years ago I entered these school gates aspiring to one day be a Head student, there have been challenges and adversities I have faced in these 7 years but it was all made worth it by having the privilege of being the head student for Mōhua this year. This position is something that I’ve held dear to my heart and was definitely the highlight of my schooling life.

The opportunities I have been given whilst here, have truly been life shaping. Last year I was lucky enough to attend a 3 week outward bound challenge through the school. This turned out to be a physically and mentally grueling challenge. After two long weeks we were tasked to walk the Queen Charlotte track which was 73km long,  then sail back over two days on a tiny cutter boat sleeping on the wooden floor with a toilet as a bucket. For people who know me, I hate walking especially if it's uphill with a 30kg bag on. The only thing that got me through the hellish walk was the support and continuous uplifting by my watchmates. To create success in life it only requires one person to demonstrate belief in themselves and others, before others get involved. During times like this I urge you to be the person that is able to bring happiness and support to others.

School is a time that is filled with opportunities. Grab them, learn from them and let them guide you towards your dreams and aspirations. No matter how small or uninteresting it may seem, they can lead to great things. So please embrace them and make this journey count.

Change within your life can obviously be a scary thing and something we tend to avoid. But change is inevitable and often the only constant in life. It is a challenging thing to adjust to but it's an opportunity for growth. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone, learning new things and adapting. So, don’t fear the change that is to come in your life, as everything is to happen for a reason.

My 7 years here at Hornby High School has seen massive change not only within the staff and building but the way Hornby High School is now portrayed. As a student who has come through this era, I have seen the school grow and evolve while keeping its core values.

Hornby High School has moved forward, embraced change and focused on student development and growth and I could not be more proud.

To the Year 13s, graduation is a terrifying thought. Leaving a place where you were safe and sheltered from the real world . But it also marks a milestone that is a culmination of 13 years of hard work, dedication, and the beginning of a new and exciting journey. It's a time to celebrate all our achievements, reflect on the lessons learned and look forward to what lies ahead. As you step into the world, remember that life is a series of moments, whether good or bad, and are all natural to our lives journeys. Take the lessons that we have learned here and use them to thrive and believe you are able to accomplish your dreams with hard work. Every single one of you have been important to each of our lives and have helped shape us into the young adults we are.  I can not be more proud of the year group we have grown into.

I would not have been in this position without the continuous support and guidance of many people. Firstly to all my teachers who have taught me, thank you for getting me through these years of school. Honorable mentions to my Dean and Physics teacher Mr Daines thank you for being a great Dean throughout the past two years. I have truly preferred you in that role rather than a Physics teacher as you probably already know. Miss Aitken, Health has always been a class that we all look forward to. Your belief in me to always strive for excellence has helped me change the way I look at health. Thank you for getting me into the Health scholarship even if I stressed you out with waiting till the last few days to finish it, and don't worry I forgive you for accidentally deleting 10 whole pages of my essay the day before it was due. To my former teacher Miss Abernethy, you’ve been there for all of us right from Year 9, even though our class has most likely been the root of your headaches for many years. You’ve been an anchoring support and always able to make light out of any dark situations.  Lastly to Mr Heath, you have been the best teacher I’ve ever been blessed with. I presume many of your students will agree with me when I say you were made for teaching. The way you helped students pass the year and excel in Chemistry when they themselves didn't even want to is amazing. You’ve specifically been a rock for our prefect team as the teacher in charge of us. The success of this year's Prefects is heavily down to your continuous guidance and support. Your belief in me this entire year has helped me find my own self belief and I am eternally in debt to you because of it.

Lastly thank you to Hornby High School, I’ve wholeheartedly loved every second of this journey and wish all current and future students and staff all the best for their future endeavors.