Kia Ora e te whanau.

Over the past weeks, I have been reminiscing on my time at the college and wondering about the legacy I will leave here and the memories I will take with me. I’ve been thinking of this speech all year but when it came to writing it I could never do it because I didn’t know how I would start it and I never wanted it to finish but like all good things they must come to an end so I’ll run you over my story and my brothers stories.

Throughout Our years of schooling we have faced many events that have impacted us some more than others, but we have all climbed many hills and sunk to the lowest valleys, our paths have connected and crossed along the way but we all find ourselves here, together on the top like we were in year 12 at the top of Mt Herbert but in our case, we are no longer the highest peak. In the real world we start our climb again there are many peaks and paths. It’s a long road we face ahead of us, we can’t control what happens to us but we can control how we react and how we keep moving forward. St Thomas of Canterbury college class of 2022 has been guided by an amazing group of mentors that have helped us through our time here and now the ball is in our court ready for the real world. Always remember a helping hand is only one phone call away.

During my time at school, we were always told about the STC culture and the brotherhood that we embrace and cherish, but I never understood the power of the thing we have here until you truly realise how special this place is and the events we get to do during the year, we talk about how we get to have these awesome athletics and swimming days but the thing that sets us apart from other schools is our special character that is what makes us unique and that is the foundations for our culture and brotherhood. During special character week this year we all got to see first hand showcases of what it is to be an STC man and I’ll never forget those frantic Fridays as the leaders that have come before me desperately tried to get everyone ready for the showcase to the school, and seeing it from a leaders perspective opened my eyes to how much mana goes into this from all angles, the staff making sure it’s running smoothly, the kids up the back who think they’re too cool realise what’s it about and by the end of the week, they’re some of the best out. But most importantly this year I got to see those boys whose class I’ve been in since year 9 step up and have mine and the leaders backs. That confirmed something that I believed all along, I knew that when the time came that I could rely on people that I have called brothers for so long. I came to school everyday loving the place that made me feel like I was home when I wasn’t.it took me a long time to realise it wasn’t the place that inspired and thrived me it was the people my very own brothers whom some I didn’t even know their name nor their story but I knew whatever I did in my role and position of influence was for them.

I started as a year 9 ready for a change with a group of mates I still have to this day, some have left and some have stayed but I know because of the memories we’ve made at this school that these boys will stick with me until the final whistle. Throughout my time at St Thomas I have never had the most friends nor was I the smartest or the best at sport but I believe that my first few years here in that rice house class shaped me into the Man and leader I am today. Trips like year 10 camp taught our year group resilience and adaptability which I think was key to the execution of a successful final year at the college. Fast forward a couple of years to the 2020 graduation in the town hall, earlier that day I had received a letter confirming that I would be receiving a leadership role for 2021, unsure of the role I would be receiving but happy nonetheless because it would be the first time my name would be called upon any stage during my time at St Thomas whether it be in assembly or prize giving. I was wrapped that I would get to be a leader at the college but I had no idea what the next year ahead would be…

Fast Forward again a few months and it was time to lead the school, I had been given the privilege of college captain and my aspirations and ideas for the year were ready to be let loose. In the first 100 days of the school year, the leadership team focussed on connecting and creating relationships with the new students of the school to make their transition as easy as possible. Throughout the year I had been challenged more than ever to step outside my comfort zone in things I had never thought I’d do. Something I abided by was a little quote I had learned in the rugby off-season “if it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you” I would always come back to this in times of need and struggle. I failed many times this year many times I wondered if I was doing the right thing but never let failure define you. If you aren’t making mistakes you’re probably not doing anything.

We constantly talk about how our School is one of a kind because of the Brotherhood we have, The foundation of brotherhood is the people who aren’t just here for 5-7 years. it’s the teachers and support staff that go out of their way in any way possible for the benefit of our young men their constant ability to assist them in extracurricular activities and sports. They’re the reason we can come everyday and do the impossible. Personally, I would like to thank Mr Hart for his aggression to put our school on the map and his constant drive to make himself and therefore his staff and school better. To Ms Smith, you have been my person to turn to and the person that his kept me afloat when the only thing I felt like doing was sinking, your ability to connect with students in your classes and positively impact them is second to none, you constantly go above and beyond for the year 13 group and I’m beyond grateful for the assistance you have given me this year. A massive thanks to all the staff from me and my year 13 group and even though some of the boys hate to say it we will miss your sometimes humorous jokes.

To my Family, even when all I wanted to do was sleep after a long day you were the thing that kept me going, there’s never a dull moment in the Keogan household. Mum & Dad you constantly went above and beyond to provide for Me and my Sisters and for that I will always be in debt. No amount of words can ever describe how thankful I am for your constant love and support.

To My Leadership team of 2021 we all started in January of this year with hopes and aspirations to impact the college as much as we could, you were courageous to stand up for what you thought was right, we built from foundations that leaders before us established, we broke records and with more weeks under our belt, we may break even more. be proud of yourselves leadership cannot be measured by numbers but by the people we impacted and connected.

Boys I will leave you with this, You will face many defeats in your time at school and life, many times you have to get back up off the ground and keep moving forward, but never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game, I was lucky enough to ask Sir Graham henry a question about what makes the greatest players great and it was simply this, they were successful because they were too busy to be looking for it. It’s been an honour leading the college this year and if I had the option to do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat, to the leaders of next year think about the legacy you wish to leave, the people you wish to impact. To the STC Men of 2022, I envy you, you will return and do this again, you have the ability to go back and start over but I can’t do this again no matter how many times I wish I could. Cherish it Boys, It’s something special.

No Reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.