Ka mihi nui ki a koutou, my name is Bianca, I am your Pickering House Prefect for 2024 and today I will be doing my Prefect speech. 

It is a bit ironic that as someone who often struggles with making choices, I’m standing here today to talk about just that—the choices we make. But I’m not talking about the everyday decisions, like what to eat for breakfast or what shoes to wear. I’m talking about the choices that really matter, the ones that impact the people around us and shape who we become. It’s these decisions that define us—whether we choose to spread love or hate, whether we lift others up or let negativity pull us down.

For someone like me, who tends to overthink almost everything, making these impactful choices hasn’t always been easy. I’ve spent countless hours agonising over what others might think of me—whether they’re judging me for how I look, what I say, or the choices I make. It’s exhausting to constantly worry about why someone gave me a certain look or what they might be saying behind my back. But over time, I’ve learned that letting other people’s judgments dictate my choices only holds me back from being who I truly am. We can’t control how others perceive us, but we can control how much we let their opinions affect our lives. It’s a liberating feeling to stop caring so much about what others think and to start focusing on what really matters—making decisions that align with your own values and principles, regardless of how they might be judged.

This realisation brings me to something even more important: the importance of having pride in yourself. When you stop letting the fear of judgement control your actions, you can begin to embrace who you truly are. Pride in yourself means recognizing your worth, your heritage, your culture, and the unique qualities that make you who you are. It’s about having pride in where you come from, the language you speak, the way you look, and the values you hold dear. Too often, we struggle to see our own beauty and strengths, focusing instead on what we perceive as flaws. But it’s important to remember that others can see the beauty in us that we sometimes overlook in ourselves. Being proud of who you are doesn’t mean thinking you’re perfect—it means understanding that your imperfections are just as valuable as your strengths, and that they are all part of what makes you unique.

So, as we go through life making those difficult choices, let’s choose love over hate, confidence over doubt, and pride over insecurity. Let’s remember that while others’ judgments may come and go, it’s our choices and the pride we have in ourselves that will truly define us. We are all on a journey of growth, and it’s the decisions we make and the self-respect we hold that will guide us forward. Don’t be afraid to make choices that reflect your true self, and always take pride in who you are, where you come from, and what you stand for. 

Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.