School Captain it needs the lion to chase it, however, the lion is motivated internally because it is chasing the gazelle for a reason, to feed his family, because if he doesn’t catch it, well, his lioness and his cubs starve. So I’m trying to get the point across, don’t settle being motivated externally because you won’t get far, be like the lion and do it for something else, because when you’re doing it for somebody else or something else that’s real motivation. So all I ask you is if you want to get somewhere find something, anything, that motivates you and I guarantee you’ll get to where you want to go. I am aiming this advice to the whole school, but in particular the Seniors of 2015, because you will all be in a situation where you have pressure on you and you will need to stay motivated. So to next year’s Seniors I wish you the best of luck. You are all in for a massive year. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really ready for Year 12 because I wasn’t really ready to leave, but believe me it will be the best year of your schooling life. And yes, no doubt there are going to be some tough days, some days you are just over it, but like I said before, the tough days are the ones that make you into the person you are going to become. They are the days that at the end of the year you will look back on and know it was all worth it. And throughout the year the bond you build with your Senior cohort will be something that no other school has, so enjoy every day, because like me some of you may not want this day to come, your very last School Assembly. Enjoy it and be proud to wear that crest on your heart. To the Prefects of 2015 I wish you the best of luck for next year. Remember you were voted in as who you are. Don’t change because you now have a title. So stay humble, be kind to all, be proud and lead by example. I ask the same of the rest of the boys. Be proud to attend such an amazing school and be proud of the teachers that give you the knowledge you need, and be proud of the brothers that you have around you. Thank you to all of the teachers who are here day in day out putting in a huge amount of effort for sometimes only two or three lessons a week. Thank you for being down to earth with us and relating to our problems in a caring way. I know the
older boys will agree you build a great bond with all of your teachers when you are in Years 11 and 12 and it’s something you won’t realise until you leave. Thank you to the Housemasters; the things you do for up to 80 boys is truly inspiring. You treat us like sons and you always do what’s best for us. Sometimes we may or may not like it, but I know all of the boys are truly grateful for the dedication, passion and effort you put into every day of school. Thank you to Mr Wain, Mr Parsons and the School for intrusting me with the honour of School Captain. It has been an experience I will cherish for ever. I’d like to thank the School Council, Student Services and Studies Departments, the Groundsmen, the cleaners, the canteen and Dining Hall staff, the TSS supporters, sponsors, family and friends for your sacrifices and continuous efforts to make our school experience a memorable one. Thank you all. Thank you to Maughan House for what you have done for me since Year 8, it’s a place that I feel welcomed and a place that I am comfortable. All of you boys are friendly and I can call you all fellow men of Maughan. Mr Wilkins, I thank you for your patience, your guidance and your kindness for the past five years. You have made this journey for me that much easier and I can’t thank you enough. To Delpratt House and the staff, thank you for everything you have done for me this year. You have welcomed me into the House and have given me nothing but respect and friendship. The Boarding community was a big part of my life this year and I thank every one of you who was a part of making my time in Boarding so enjoyable. To my fellow Prefects, thank you for your work this year, you have all led this school the TSS way. In particular PJ. Mate, you have been friends since literally day one. We started in preschool side by side and now we finish our journey side by side. The moments we have shared and the times we have had I will never forget. Thank you for the kindness you have given me when I have been flat out and your ability to lend a hand is what truly makes you a best mate. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope we can share many more great memories together in the future.
To the rest of the School, the boys that make this place so special. I thank each and every one of you for your friendliness and your passion. You have all made this year’s Seniors job a very easy one and I challenge you all to continue this year’s legacy. Make sure you cherish the moments you have at this place, because I know this may sound cliché, but it goes by before you know it. I ask you all to continue to do your best, take pride in your mates, yourself and this school, be who you are, be honest, challenge yourself and, most of all, enjoy the time you have here. Finally, to the graduating class of 2014. I can’t help but to feel an endless amount of emotions. I thank you all more than words can explain for making my time here such an amazing experience, and the journey has been one I will never forget. I see every one of you and I have shared an experience with you, whether it’s been playing in the same Rugby team since I was five or just a simple “hey, how was your weekend?”. Every one of you up there mean so much to me and we all mean so much to each other. Some of us may never see each other again because of our future careers, our future goals or our future families, so this time we have just finished, whether one year or 13, it’s something that will last a lifetime. Although we don’t always get along, we share something so special, we share the thing that we will always have as the Valedictorians of 2014, we share the thing that this school is famous for. We share the TSS brotherhood. I will leave you with a verse from my favourite poem. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how straight the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL SOUTHPORTONIAN 2014
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