Kia ora everyone, I’m Ella Edwards and I have the privilege of being your Rae House Prefect this year. 

First of all, I would like to use this opportunity to thank the people in Rae House that have helped make my job a lot easier. Now that I know what it’s like being up there, I would love to give an apology to my past house leaders.

I’ve had some pretty embarrassing moments at Queen’s. To name a few, crashing my car before the school exams last year, teaching the House chant for the first time, and falling face-first into the crowd at the prefect’s netball. I’ve had to replay some pretty haunting moments in my head. However, it’s moments like these that cause us to grow. I think being able to laugh at yourself from time to time is a skill that should be admired. That is why the topic of my speech is “Laughter is the best Medicine”.

I find that the best way to make light of an unfortunate situation is to laugh. Have you ever hated something so much that you just have to stop and laugh? My friends and I experienced this when we chose to bike 42 kilometres in a gale force headwind after our music turned off because the speaker went flat. There were a few tears shed that day, but twice as many laughs.

I also think that one of the easiest ways to make new friends is through laughter. When you find people with the same sense of humour as you, everything becomes ten times more enjoyable. After the very first lunchtime I spent with my friends in Year 9, I walked away in stitches from laughing so hard. I knew immediately that I had found the right group of people.

After finding my best friends, it increased my confidence to try new things that I would not have done without their encouragement. This includes joining the hockey team back in Year 9, which has provided me with a lot of laughter, occasionally at Ms Geddes’ jokes. The highlight of my year would have to be the only Basketball game my team has ever won. We were very grateful to have had a great support crew featuring Ms Cross and Mr Clark, and some loyal fans from Year 13. This has made me realise what makes Queen’s so enjoyable for me. The support and encouragement that you get from your classmates and teachers, not only on the basketball court but also in the classroom.

Finding people that share the same sense of humour as me, and understand most of my jokes has been the best part of my time at Queen’s. I am so grateful to have people that I can turn to that will make me laugh and brighten my mood, which proves to me that laughter is the best medicine. What I hope you take away from my speech, is to laugh with your friends as much as possible, make positives out of every situation, and to appreciate all the support that Queen’s has to offer.

Thank you 

Ella Edwards