This was their Prize giving Speech.

Emma: Our time at Manawatu College over the last five years has gone extremely quickly and has been filled with many amazing memories, experiences and opportunities. Today is our chance to celebrate all our achievements and successes we have had over the last five years. We are proud to be the graduating class of 2016.

Today we gather here to receive and give awards, acknowledging each other's successes, this is our chance to reflect on our time here. It's hard to believe that five years ago was the first time we wore the College uniform. I can still remember our first day when we were standing outside the hall, waiting to be welcomed in and begin our journey here at Manawatu College. After we had been welcomed, I remember sitting nervously waiting for our names to be called out to find out who our homeroom teacher and classmates were going to be. Here we were, given our first timetable and our adventures began. It’s frightening to think that this is our last day here in a place that has become so familiar surrounded by all our friends and peers. Although this is our last day this does not mean we will forget all the memories, friendships and life skills we have learnt over our time here at the college; they are the things we will treasure forever.

Kyle:  As a year eight, coming to college was a big change for us as we had to get use to moving classrooms and having different teachers for different subjects. Having the peer support program and a homeroom made settling into college life faster and building friendships a lot easier. This college has a very friendly atmosphere with students and teachers always willing to go the extra mile and lend a helping hand when needed. We were both looking forward to the new opportunities that this College had to offer such as; joining sports teams, attending the ball as a senior student, going on school trips and camps and the new friendships that we would make. Making friends for me, was definitely something I needed to do. Only knowing about 5 people on my first day here at Manawatu, I was certainly keen to expand my friendships and social networks. So I just want to acknowledge those people who did accept me into their circles, who I now call friends, because without you all I wouldn't be where I am today.

Emma:  Over the past five years our year 13 group have had experiences that have only brought us closer together. Some of the highlights for us was both being able to be apart of the team that went on the Spirit of Adventure team voyage, where not only did we learn a lot about ourselves but we also learnt a lot about each other over the time we spent together. We as a year group have experienced many trips and camps that have brought us closer together, and also brought us closer to our teachers.

Kyle:  Being able to be apart of the leadership program and being involved in the Duke of Edinburgh award here at the College has not only helped us learn about ourselves as a person but was also the beginning of developing our leadership skills. Over my five years at the college I have achieved both the bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and have also been the first person from Manawatu College to gain my gold award. Ultimately, completing all three awards of the program have been hugely beneficial. To be committed to finishing an award that is internationally recognized was something I wanted to do.

This is a program that not all schools offer and I would highly encourage you all to consider participating in the program. It has been a privilege to be able to be the head students for 2016 and represent the school in this role, as it is our way to be able to give back to the College and the community for all that they have given us. We would now like to thank the leadership team of 2016 as you guys have been amazing and it has been great to work alongside you all this year.

Emma:  At the beginning of this year being year 13 and knowing that it was our last year here at college didn't seem real. It wasn’t until House events started and we began to realise that this was the last time we would ever participate in school events such as cross country, swimming sports, athletics and other house events. It was on these days that so many of our memories were made and a chance to show off what talents we had as a house and compete to try and win the House cup at the end of the year. It is these times that will be missed and we both strongly encourage you to make the absolute most of your time here. Make sure that you grab every opportunity offered to you with both hands and always work hard because before you know it, it will be your last day here and time for you to make a decision about your future.

Kyle:  We would now like to say thank you to all those who have contributed so much of their time towards helping us succeed in all that we do. Firstly we would like to thank all of the amazing teachers who have taught us over the last five years and who have helped shaped us into the people we are today. You have always been willing to go the extra mile and have always offered a hand or extra support for anyone who needed it. It is your support and knowledge that has helped us gain our education and helped to set us up for the future. To Mrs Allan, our year 13 Dean and we would also like to thank our families for always being there to support us through the years.

Emma:  As we are both members of Robertson House we would like to thank Mrs Belk, our House Dean for everything that you have done for us. You have always been there to support us and have helped develop our leadership skills right from year 10 where we were junior leaders.

Kyle:  Lastly we would like to thank our year group, you are such a great bunch of people and we would like to thank you for all the memories and friendships that we have made here. Without all of you, we wouldn't be where we are today and we wouldn't have achieved all of our successes.

Emma:  To the class of 2012, every single one of you should be proud of yourselves and all that you have achieved over your time here. Although people have come and gone all the memories we have made will last forever. You have all put so much effort into everything you do and have contributed a lot to the College.

Kyle:  As we leave here today there are many faces that we will miss seeing on a daily basis but over the years we have grown closer together and we’re sure the friendships will remain. These last five years are definitely an important part of our life’s and a time we will always remember. We would like to say congratulations to all the year 13’s who are graduating and we wish you all the best for your future, whatever that may be. Always remember to aim high, try your best and never give up because you all have a lot of potential to achieve whatever you set your mind to in life.