School Captain

CHARLES WELLS

School Captain 2015

I want to begin by thanking all for this honour of School Captain of The Southport School. It is something I have thoroughly enjoyed and will cherish for the rest of my life. Who would have thought this day would come. I can tell you now I have feared it ever since I started at TSS. But for some that journey has been longer than mine. Some of you have been at this school for as long as 13 years. But no matter when you started at TSS, it’s fair to say we have all come together as brothers and completed a part of our life that will be cherished forever.

But what a journey it has been for the Red, White and Blue. A year full of colour, character and community has passed us in what many would describe as ‘the blink of an eye’. It doesn’t feel all that long ago I was on my way to TSS to live away from home for the first time. Six months before starting at TSS, boarding school was not even on the cards. And never did a 13-year-old off a cotton farm west of Moree dream of going to the school at the Gold Coast. I found out I was accepted to TSS just three days before Orientation Day. As you can imagine this was a shock to myself, and to the rest of the family. In these three days Mum and I spent one day getting items for school, one day packing and one travelling. Very confused and unaware of what was ahead of me, there was a feeling of eagerness brewing. One thing every TSS boy shares, no matter who we are, the School Captain, a Prefect, a Warden, even someone in Year 12 that has been here since Reception, we all had a first day and we didn’t know anyone, and our parents shared the same emotions.

When we walk out of this theatre where we have sat hundreds of times before there will be tears and there will be more emotions. And as hard as it’ll be to walk out of this theatre, remember that each of us are starting a new chapter of our lives. Please don’t look upon this as a bad thing, because this terrific journey we have been on has just moulded and shaped the one we are about to begin. What we know as the ‘Big Scary World’ can’t be all too bad, because if I experience even half the memories out there that I’ve experienced here, I’d say it’s a pretty good life. I’m not saying forget about the life we spent at Southport, but we do need to experience the life outside these grounds. I will be honest; I am extremely nervous, anxious and excited all at the same time. But as Fred Dorrough said this time last year, “You only get first experiences once. They don’t happen again, so treasure the time we are about to begin”.

A lot of our experiences at TSS cannot even be explained through actions or words, but merely feelings and emotions that have evolved throughout our time here. These feelings and emotions simply cannot be felt unless you have been a part of what we have. For example, words cannot describe looking on to the crowd at Rugby or Swimming. Feeling the Drumline force the hairs to stick up on the back of your neck, or the chill you get from chanting “Band of Brothers”. It’s purely indescribable. It’s a blessing to see with your own eyes a man pull on a TSS Rugby jersey knowing that it means everything to him and he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but with his mates and brothers in arms. Not many schools possess this sense of belonging, but TSS certainly does.

Coming back at the start of Term Four was one of the most unusual and saddening things I have ever undergone. I knew in my mind that this would be my last time going back to TSS as a student of the school. Driving down Winchester Street and into Dixon Drive, staring out at the immaculately mowed lawns leading up to the 100year Clocktower was one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever felt. Because I knew it was somewhere I belonged, somewhere we all belonged. It caused me to reflect on the journey that has been and how it has impacted me. I reflected on the good times and the bad. We all have them, there’s no doubt about it. But

it’s the tough times that shape us into the men we will one day become.

As we look back over the years we spent on this journey I can’t help but smile on all the good times we’ve had. We have all shared victories, losses and laughs together. And I mentioned it last night at our Valedictory Dinner that the best thing about this cohort is our ability to band together in the toughest of times. And we saw this side of everyone come out when we lost two great mentors to us all. We are mindful of Mr Hawthorne and Mr Roberts, as they were also a part of this journey with us. We know you are both watching and you will always be in the hearts of the Valedictorians of 2015.

As I come to the end of my time at TSS, I’d like to thank some people that have made this journey so memorable for me, and the rest of the seniors.

Thank you to all the teachers who put in countless hours of effort to ensure each boy here did the best they possibly could. We are forever grateful for all the work you have done to ensure each Valedictorian has maximised their opportunities for life beyond TSS. I mentioned at the final School Assembly that you really don’t realise how much the teachers do for us until you reach the older grades. Thank you to Mrs Mackie for your service to the school and being a mother to many of the boys. For your 32 years of service to this great school we cannot thank you enough for what you have done for all students past and present.

Thank you to the Housemasters at the school, you treat us all like sons and what you do for up to 80 kids is truly inspiring to us all. On a personal note I’d like to thank Mr Hawkins for your guidance throughout my time here, especially in the past two busy years. You’ve seen me at my worst times, sir, and were always happy to help me out and offer advice to get me back up again. You were just what Biddle House needed when you joined boarding last year. What you and Mr Bland have done for Biddle House is inspiring and means a lot for students past and present. Thank you for making Biddle House my home away from home.

Thank you Mr Wain and the Deans of TSS for entrusting me with the honour of School Captain this year. Thank you Mr Parsons for your help of me this year and all you have done for the boys of this school. You’re a man who will be sorely missed among our cohort and we wish you nothing but the very best for your future.

I’d like to thank the School Council, student services and studies departments, grounds and maintenance staff, cleaners, canteen and dining staff, the TSS supporters and sponsors, thank you all.

To the seniors of 2016, all the best and thank you for being a special part of our time at TSS. Enjoy next year, finish strong and look out for each other.

To all the parents and family of TSS students. Thank you for allowing your son to attend such a prestigious school. The sacrifices you make and will make for your boys does not go unnoticed. There may be times where we are frustrated, but I can promise we are truly grateful for all you do for each of us. I urge all boys to go and give your mum and dad an extra hug for all they have done to send us to such a prestigious place.

And to my Mum and Dad, thank you for everything you have done for me. Not many people know how hard you work to keep me here. I just want you to know I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices you’ve made to send me here. Thank you for everything and I love you both very much.

And finally, to my brothers, my mates, the Valedictorians of 2015. There is nowhere I’d rather be than by you all and finishing this journey with you. What we have experienced together is something that only we can describe. The harsh reality is that we may never see each other again because of what our future or career has for us. But always hold dear to you what we have shared here among the boundaries of this school. Believe and know within yourself that you were part of something great, we were part of a legacy. To finish I want you all to know that my pride, belief and loyalty to you is stronger now than ever before. I feel enormously humbled by the support and friendships I have made throughout my time here. As we walk out of this theatre into the world, be comforted by the fact that we live within one another through this place of brotherhood. That is something that can never be broken.

No matter where we go, no matter what we do, know within ourselves that we are, “Men of Southport, We are… a Band of Brothers”.

Palman Qui Meruit Ferat