Welcome to Otago Boys’ High School, your home for the next 5 years.

As a warning, it will go by fast, scarily fast, but it will be some of the best few years of your life. And to you year 10’s: welcome back, I hope you had a fantastic break.

Boys I want you all to look to your left… and to your right. These are your brothers. Everyone who wears this same crest and walks under that archway, are your brothers. As you year 10s will know, some of them will appear to be closer to gorillas if they haven’t shaved in a couple days, or tower several feet above you and some will be complete and utter idiots, but they will look out for you and you will look out for them. Because that’s what we do here at Otago Boys'.

Year 9’s: Otago Boys is filled with opportunities that you will be able to harness during your time here, but they will not come to you, you must seize them. Too many times I have seen people miss out on things because they don’t have the guts, or they’re too scared of the possible consequences. Please do not let that be you. Get out there and try new things. Even if they suck, just be glad you at least gave it a go. I am sure you will find something that you love and that you will be thankful to have tried out.

This is the key to an amazing time here at school. Getting involved and trying new things is how you break boundaries and create new friends beyond those in your classes and your year group. You will have to get off your phones though, yes all of you! I might sound like a boomer saying that, but I genuinely mean it. My best memories are ones that aren’t interrupted by clash of clans or replying to snapchats, they are face to face with my mates Living. In. The. Moment. These things will require you to be brave. You will want to run away at times (as I did sometimes) especially when you airball a layup in front of the entire school. At the end of the day, when you are 50-something spinning yarns to your children around a campfire, it will be the memories that are formed here that you will share for decades to come.

Make sure you have goals too. I encourage you all to write down the things you want to achieve in your time here. I wrote down 5. I have only ticked off 1. These goals will be essential for you all to fulfil your potential. They will keep you motivated throughout exams and convince you to get out of bed in the morning. The world is your oyster, and I hope you’re hungry!

So, get out there! Make the most of this incredible school and the opportunities available to you. Be a better you every day, try a new sport, join the school council or audition for the production. If it doesn’t turn out, well bugger. Wipe it off, move on and learn from it. There are so many other amazing activities to try and people to meet. 5 years may be half a decade away, but it's merely a blink, and 4 years is even less. Before you know it, you’ll be lining up, as I am, for your last visit to the crease at Otago Boys’ High School. Smile, laugh and live in the now. Promise me that you will strive to seize the potential in every day at your time here. I cannot wait to get to know you boys and have an awesome year.

In great OBHS tradition, I leave you with a quote:

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
Mother Teresa

Cheers Boys.