Each week at senior assembly one of our Prefect's present their "Last Word". We like to share these with the school community.

Kia ora boys, I hope you got the break you were after. To you Year 11's that I spoke to last year, did you improve? Are you a better person? Did you achieve what you set out to do and what you wanted to achieve? If the answer is no, well today is a bloody good day to start.

I personally made the most of my break. Although I didn’t get as much of a rest as I hoped, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I met new people, tried new things and made plenty of fantastic memories. This has guided me to what I want to talk to you all about today. It is something that my mum has always tried to do for me since I was just a wee tike and continue to do.

That’s keeping yourself busy.

A lot of you will know how busy I am, and I love it. By ensuring I always have something to do, I keep myself out of trouble, time manage far better and achieve more. This is obviously a double-edged sword which must be balanced just right. Finding time for my mates, family and myself can be a real struggle and can often lead to all being impacted if not managed.

You have 24 hours every day to make the most of. Sleep takes up about 8, school about 6. This leaves you almost 10 hours everyday to fill up with stuff. That’s enough time to drive to Nelson, watch Shrek 6 times or listen to Roddy Ricch’s “The Box” 182.7 times… or you could do nothing for 10 hours. I quite often find myself falling into the latter option, despite my love for Shrek and mediocre mumble rappers from the Detroit area. This can be solved though, by forcing yourself to do things. We do this unintentionally all the time when there is an exam tomorrow or an internal due. In these times we are unbelievably productive and achieve so much more than our regular day to day lives. So why not be this productive more often, without the external pressure? All you have to do is sign up for stuff. Spare afternoon on a Wednesday? I’m sure there’s a lawn that needs mowed or a social netball team that could use a sub. Nothing on a Sunday? There’s bound to be a café or restaurant who wouldn’t mind an extra hand. Suddenly, your week is a tad busier and you are earning a bit more cash and making new friends!

If you are worried about being busy, don’t be. As my mum says, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” Because busy people are just better at getting on with things. We find ways to make things work and get them done. If you have to constantly manage your time, you will find your time management will improve significantly. This will also make you appreciate the time you spend with your mates or by yourself much more. Obviously, this will not be easy. Busy-ness comes with stress and sometimes the sacrifice of rest. Again, that’s why you must balance your commitments with time for yourself and mates.

This is a lifestyle that you must commit to and it will be worth it. Anyone who is successful in this world doesn’t just scroll through Instagram for an afternoon. They use every moment they are given to try and achieve something great. Take Elon Musk: one of my favourite quotes of his is “Nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week.” You want to guarantee yourself success? Put in the work. You want a fat scholarship to university? I hate to break it to you, just turning up to school won’t cut it. You want to make a New Zealand team? Well you probably won’t make it if you rock up to a couple of school trainings a week. It takes effort, it takes passion and a mamba mentality of commitment and dedication.

I want you boys to achieve great things. Whether that’s passing an internal or passing your restricted. Set yourself goals and make yourselves busy. You will all achieve so much and appreciate your mates and the memories made here at OBHS even more. Keep living in the moment and don’t take any day here for granted.

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