Each year we have to limit attendance at our Year Six Graduation Assembly only to families of graduates. It’s sad, but our hall is just not big enough to cope. Last week I shared our Board Chairperson’s speech - it showed a deep understanding of what we are about at Western heights and what we are trying to achieve.
This week I share my brief speech to our 2016 Graduates.
Today is a special day - a sad day, a proud day, a celebration day and a nervous day.
Special, because it’s all about you.
Sad, because you are leaving your second home and second family.
Proud, because you made it to Graduation.
A celebration, to mark the achievement that came from your hard work.
A nervous day, because you don’t really know what the next step is going to be like.
Most of all though, it's a New Day - because it marks a new beginning for you all.
We want you to go on from here and build great lives for yourselves.
Builders of course need tools, and that has been our focus over these past six years with you - to give you the tools to build that great life.
One of the things that makes me feel proudest is hearing our senior kids talking about Love to Learn to Lead. In their everyday conversations, in their learning, in their inquiry focus and in lots of situations.
This is so cool because it shows that phrase and focus has really got into your brains, into your thinking, into your sub-conscious. That’s awesome because it is a tool to help you build that great life. You Love, Learn and Lead first in your own life, then with others, and then in the wider world.
Being a Bucket Filler - filling others’ buckets to fill your own, not being a bucket dipper and knowing how to protect your bucket are also tools that will help you.
Pay It Forward is also a great tool to help you build a great life. In caring for and serving others we learn to love and value ourselves. We find happiness is grounded in kindness and caring. We know that some of the richest and most selfish people in the world are also some of the unhappiest. We know our world is going to be a better place because you are in it.
You have the tools, you have the attitudes, work habits, self management skills and Grit in the Pit that you need to be successful and build a great life. So go out there and build it.
Have fun, work hard, never give up, love your family, be kind, fill buckets, never ever forget how many people love you, and Love to Learn to Lead in all you do.
Manaakitia koutou - a blessing upon you all. We love you, we’re proud of you and we expect you to come back and share that great life you are building with us.