Erin presented the words below as part of the Graduation Assembly yesterday. Erin's speech was selected as part of a competition amongst her peers earlier in the term.

Dear parents, friends, teachers, and fellow graduates. Thank you for being here today. My name is Erin Soutar, today marks the end of another chapter in my life and the start of a new one. 

When I moved from South Africa to New Zealand, I was instantly welcomed by my soon to be friends, here at Waipahihi. I have always been extremely grateful to the kind people who made me feel safe and happy at school. A famous poet, Maya Angelou, once said “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I know that I will remember that day forever.

This year, my final year at Waipahihi, I have been fortunate enough to be a student leader. As a student leader I have learnt that lots of people- including me at some point- think that being a leader is all about giving your best and leading by example. Well it is, but to be a leader you also have to help others to try their best, by supporting them and putting yourself in their shoes. I hope that I have enabled other students to try and be better versions of themselves.

Some of the most fun that I’ve had has been the school camps. I’ve been up the mountain in Wai, to a ski lodge on Mt Ruapehu, to Ohope in  year 5, and to Lake Whakamaru this year. Mt Ruapehu was great because of all the fun I had jumping from rock to rock with my friends. My highlight of Ohope was swimming in the warmish ocean. I can’t really pick a favourite part out of the Lake Whakamaru camp, it was all just so fun. I hope that Intermediate has fun camps too!

Playing hockey for Waipahihi school at the Taupo hockey turfs on cold friday nights has been so fun! I have become friends with people that I didn’t usually talk to before the season began. Even the parents enjoy coming to cheer us on, although each time they almost freeze their toes off! 

I would like to thank the teachers  of Waipahihi who have helped me expand my boundaries and learn so many new things. This school has encouraged me to try  new things. The teachers here at Waipahihi have given me the opportunities to learn how to do things that I didn’t even know existed! I have learnt Haka, heaps of waiata, te-rao, and so  much more, all because of the people here at this amazing school. To my friends who have been there no matter what, supporting me, staying cheerful, and always being kind towards me and others, I would like to say thank you! It is because of you that I am excited at the start of the year when I get to  see all of you again and sad at the end of year, as I have to say goodbye.

As my time here at Waipahihi is coming to an end I would like to give some advice to those of you who still have time left here at this school. Climb many trees, take all the opportunities that Waipahihi has to offer, and most of all, have fun, because that is when you learn the most.  Michael Dell said “It’s through curiosity and looking for opportunities that we’ve always mapped our path.” I would like to encourage others to stay curious, ask questions,  and try your best.