Oscar McGuire has been an inspiring Head Boy this year, and had many great achievements. Below is his speech for the end of year prize giving.

It’d be very easy for me to tell you how I wasn’t always so attractive, smart, and good looking. All about how, 5 years ago, I spent my first few days at Logan Park awkward and nervous. About how I thought that our corridors were designed by the director of Pans Labyrinth, and how remembering my locker combination was a cause for celebration. About how I would look around the school walls and wonder – why that shade of green? And that would all be true. But it would also imply that I’m not nervous now. And while I can now confidently find my way around the school (with the exception of the science block), and I can remember 4 digits in a row with some consistency, I still have a similar feeling of nervousness. But, like little year 9 me, it’s not a bad kind of nervousness. It’s that feeling of being simultaneously excited and apprehensive, and I know I’m not the only one. Now, I might’ve dropped maths in year 11, but with the help of a calculator, I discovered that those like me in year 13 have spent approximately 845 days, or 20280 hours at Logan Park. That’s a long time. They say that it takes about 10 thousand hours to become an expert in an ultra-competitive field. By now, I could’ve become the best bee-keeper this side of Christchurch – twice. While it’s a long time, and we all fantasise about it ending, it’s a weird feeling when you’re no longer crossing days off a calendar, but instead, counting down on your fingers. Like I’m sure all of you have, I’ve had an incredible time at this incredible school, but soon, we’ll no longer be desperately typing out internals at 3am, or calling in special favours to cut the canteen line. Instead, we’ll be off into the workforce. Or Polytech. Or uni. Or having a gap year. Or living under a bridge and charging toll tax. The point is, we’ll be free to choose our own path – and that’s both exciting and nerve-wracking. But if anyone our age deserves to have confidence, we do. Over these last five years, I have come to know all of you, and I can honestly say that I could not have picked a more intelligent, funnier, more admirable group of 104 students to share my high school experience with. I don’t hope you will succeed, I know you will succeed, and I can’t wait to see you guys in the future, wherever and whenever that may be. Thank you.

After what seems like both an eternity and a mere blink of the eyes, 2017 is coming to a close. Seniors like myself are currently scrambling into ‘exam mode’, which, among other stressful symptoms, includes trying to keep track of the day of the week, attempting sensible sleep patterns, and regretting a lack of previous study. However, as always, we’ll get through it. It’s what comes after that gives me pause. As we pick our papers for university, or arrange part time work, or plan a year abroad, it’s becoming increasingly hard to ignore the fact that we won’t be back next year. Since that is finally sinking in, I speak for the whole of year 13 when I say that it is difficult to say goodbye. Considering that many of us have been here 5 years, realising that we’ll all be going our separate ways next year is slightly unreal. However, considering the caliber of our year, I’m positive we’ll be just fine. 2017 was certainly a high note to end on. With Stage Challenge, Shakespeare performance nights, fashion shows, athletic events, music competitions and more, 2017 has certainly been busy, and Logan Park has risen to the challenge, with students succeeding regionally, nationally, and internationally. It is the culture of trying things out and having a good time doing it that makes Logan Park such an exciting place, and like many others, I’ve had a hard time managing my extra-curricular calendar, as there are so many interesting opportunities on offer. 2017 has also been a year of significant positive change for Logan Park, and I am certain that our special culture, however it develops, will continue to be a core strength moving forward. I am proud to have attended Logan Park, and I am incredibly thankful for the unforgettable high school experience that Logan Park has given me.