Mr Campbell's Leaving Speech

Mr Campbell gave a speech on behalf of this year's leaving staff:

This  will not take a long time to deliver but I have been asked to say a few words on behalf of us, the staff who are about to leave this place of learning for the last time.

At this time of year people will give advice and offer parting gestures of wisdom that they have accumulated over the years. However, I sometimes think that we as teachers often forget to thank the student body for the advice and wisdom that you teach and share with us every single day. 

Firstly: Patience. Every day you constantly remind us of the need for patience. To slow down and take a big breath. Those who make mistakes, those who find school difficult and those who find learning’ challenging. We must constantly adjust and remember that success often is the result of showing patience. What other job constantly reminds us on a daily basis of this attribute. Breathe.

Secondly: Tolerance. The need to understand why people do the things they do and why they are different. To listen to the back story, the hardships and difficulties that students experience and then develop an empathy, rapport and compassion for them. To be able to show tolerance for their needs and differences is now becoming more important in today's society than ever before. Tolerance helps to prevent prejudice’.

Thirdly: Resilience day after day we return to this place of work, to restart from where we left off the day before. To repeat the same advice and messages, to offer the same help over and over and over in the hope change may take place. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't but with stamina and strength we learn to keep on trying where others would give up and walk away.

Fourthly : Friendships To be able to share in the joys of success and to see people grow and develop into great citizens. There is no other job I know of where such a diverse group will gather and allow their lives to be shared in so many different ways. Everyone benefits from positive and meaningful friendships and connections no matter how small or how complex they may be. Small acts of kindness can lead to lasting friendships no matter the age group.

So to all of you, the students of St Pauls, thank you for sharing these valuable gifts with us, the staff and teachers, so that we can constantly apply them to all other aspects of our own lives and also continue to grow as better people because of it.