speech given by knox school captain dec. 072007 Leavers’ Assembly If nothing else, let it be the lasting message of the Class of 2007 that the people of this school should be judged purely on the content of their character. There have been people in our year group who have stolen, who have belittled, and who have cheated their way through the past 6 years. It is well known that, as a Year Group, we have arguably lost more people to expulsions than any other. Sitting to my left will be people who have done the school, their families and themselves a tremendous disservice. Even so, these people will have, by and large, escaped official sanction – feeding off the mercy of the people in charge, exploiting the School’s insistence on their own protection. Having just finished my trials, I afforded myself a few luxuries. Amongst them, I began to draft this speech and I read Harry Potter. I already knew much of which I would write, this speech having been shaped by the experiences of our year group and my own experiences these 12 months past, yet to my surprise a particular section in ‘the Deathly Hallows’ complemented my quest. I have resisted quoting throughout my tenure, so I find it mildly amusing that the first and last person I quote will be the ever-judicious Dumbledore, yet nonetheless, here’s what he had to say. It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take that mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise, that they wear it well. I firmly believe in this. Those who seek leadership and power just for the rewards are found out, and no more poignantly than when they miss out. Their response speaks volumes. Some who sought office and were disappointed responded by abrogating responsibilities, reneging on promises and truanting school. There will always be those who cheat the system, particularly in a school like Knox. In such high stead is this place held that people seek power at all costs. I wish to make a statement which I know my year group supports – we have been effected by the politics of parents as few others have. I believe it is a message that the entire school community can benefit from, particularly those who sit before me. For the future of the school lies in you before me, and it is the At Knox, it does not matter who your mother is. At Knox, it does not matter who your father is. Or who he thinks he is. Or who he was. It does not matter who your father goes to the gym with. It does not matter who your mother befriends. It does not matter who they wine and dine. To those who have played the game, listen carefully. No matter your efforts, you cannot and will not be able to coerce those things you truly desire. You cannot buy popularity, you cannot replicate success and you cannot invoke undue respect. It does not matter if you are School Captain, the SUO of Cadets, a prefect or a humble senior; you are judged as a person, not by your position. It is no good having the grandeur of responsibility if you don’t have the respect needed to go with it. There is a reason that those who cheat the system do not attempt to woo over the year group – because they can’t. They target teachers, because some will fall to the trap – weakening their stance just so that they might avoid ‘drama’. My position has allowed me to be privy to those who have folded and I find it deplorable. Be assured that the people of this school – and the students in particular - can smell a fraud a mile away. Times have changed and those who foster that There are those students who will leave the school with very little to show for it, yet those who leave smugly content with their superficial positions, undeserved awards and unjustifiable self confidence leave with far, far less. I have far greater respect for those who are school seniors, the diary ties, than those prefects whose black tie is nothing but the product of years of grooming and conniving. Equally, I have infinitely more respect for those who acknowledged and accepted the decision of the cadet leaders than those whose parents bullied the unit into accommodating their every demand. Throughout the school, through cadets, into the Pipe Band, and wherever leadership is apparent, the message is constant. I believe that this school now presents a strong front to those who play these games – from the Headmaster and Mr. Walton down, the message is clear. And no where is it more clear than amongst the 240 boys who sit to my left, or those who remain. They all know. Teenage boys have been forced to face up to the pressures of power hungry parents. Those hypocrites who have slung the most mud do so because of a deep-seeded sense of paranoia, inferiority and the unquenchable desire to social climb. In a great paradox, these people are the embodiment of tall poppy syndrome yet all they crave is power. They accuse of intimidation, yet they are the biggest bullies of them all. They are selfish – because for every time their child is accommodated, another is displaced. They would never admit to doing so but must surely recognise it within themselves. Just as parents who berate officials on the sidelines set a poor example, parents who undermine the authority of the school fail to recognize that life doesn’t always deal in fairness, and you cannot excuse deplorable behaviour under the euphemism of wanting a ‘fair go’. It is time for Knox to have learnt its lessons. I believe that this school understands. To those who play the politics game, you have lost. They might not realise it yet, but life will be the great leveler. It is difficult for most of us to appreciate this and it’s a concept I’m yet to understand but its one that I hold faith in. Whilst I cannot claim to comprehend the forces of karma, most of us have the foresight to see that Knox is not the be all and end all. Because once you pass through those doors, the real world takes over. Beginning with the HSC yet reaching far beyond, the schoolboy bubble will have burst. Mum and Dad are not with you in your job interview to defend you, or to make threats on your behalf, yet can only arm you with the lessons that they have instilled upon you. To our parents, most of you have done so admirably, teaching the virtues of commitment, discipline and loyalty. You have given us a chance to prosper. We are all grateful. It is these virtues upon which the men of this year group have thrived. Let us now deal with the real deal. I believe that it is the responsibility of every boy who attends this school to try and justify the considerable investment which their parents have made in their education. As representative of this Year Group, I believe I can say with some authority that most people have done this. Knox has given us a chance to do things which many of our parents could never have imagined, and which many of us don’t yet appreciate, simply because we’ve never known any different. We need to realise that even by attending Knox, we are far ahead of the pack because of the lessons we’ve learnt. This will become especially apparent with hindsight. Whilst there is inside of us all a part which so dearly wants to leave and break free of the North Shore Bubble, I recalled fondly over the past month, and particularly on Tuesday as I went ‘Back to the Prep’, the part of me which so badly wanted to Personal success has also been forthcoming; we have state athletes, national champions and international leaders. We have fantastic public speakers, musicians, chess players and academics. Whilst we all take personal credit, and we thank our parents who have fostered this talent, the school has been fantastic in nurturing and developing even the most diverse student. It is up to those who remain – beginning with your new leaders - to see that events such as CAS Swimming and Athletics are always treasured, and that school spirit remains revered. There are countless people who have never played 1sts Rugby, or achieved any measure of academic success, but were able to appreciate the efforts of those who did. It’s the determining factor that makes this school what it is, a sense of community and selflessness amongst the students. Owing to a considerable reputation, this school attracts some of the best people you are ever likely to meet. The teaching staff is generally excellent, and in some cases exceptional. It is those who teach here to whom we owe so much. As we leave today, we can sing their praises without any sort of hidden agenda. Many of these teachers would be worth 10 times as much in the corporate world, yet they continue to teach at our school and we should be grateful. These are people who we appreciate and who we respect – Phil Harmer, Brian Buggy, Steve Middleton, Humph, Rownesy and Lansy to name but a few. And of course, Gav, who has the respect of so many and the admiration of even more. It is these people who are invaluable, and who teach so much more than the curriculum. The people who have helped us are innumerable. I thank Scriv, who has fought a tough fight. I thank Mr. Simes, who did so before him. Thanks must also go to Shuter, who has done a fantastic job. And to our, Headmaster who recognises that there is more to do, but who I believe is heading in the The people who you sit with, however, are the reason you are as you are. So much of our personality is shaped, for better and for worse, by those who we surround ourselves with. Imagine if you’d attended a different school – things would be markedly different. Our Year Group possesses so many characters, guys who make us who we are, and have made our time so enjoyable. We will forever remember the times we have spent in and out of school with the mates we have made at Knox. Each of us takes several treasured friendships. I feel so lucky to have the mates who have stood by me all year, and the past 6 years and everyone up there is the same. There are so many good, good people. Fair, loyal and committed people. So many laughs to be had. As we go our separate ways I implore you to maintain contact with your core group of friends. You will go through rough patches, but whatever life throws at you – misfortune, sickness, injustice or women, the people you can always rely on are those who have stood by you during your formative years. The majority of this year can walk through those doors with their heads held high, knowing they have made a difference to someone else. A school will rise and fall upon the back of its year 12s. Our year group hasn’t been perfect, not by any stretch of the imagination. Still, we have had some fantastic times and have been lead by some sensational people in an unrivaled environment. This environment extends past the leadership positions, positions which mean very little after school anyway. It extends past the teachers who’ve lead us, and past the facilities which we’ve been privy to. Those who have lead and made this school what it is have been the good blokes, the ones whom everyone respects regardless of their achievements or imperfections. The average Knox man. I have always pushed the involvement of everyone, because I believe that in 20 years time we will not revere the prefect that did, only hold regret for the person that didn’t. I ask that on this day you acknowledge the good times you have each enjoyed individually, and the contribution we’ve made collectively. As we go our way, having run the race, learn from your mistakes. There is no greater educator than our own imperfect self, and few more admirable qualities than to realise the extent of our own inadequacies. Reflect upon the triumphs but remember the defeats. Know that everywhere you go, there will be people who try and bring you down, but it is the people who pull you back up that really matter. This is the springboard, not the pinnacle. No one who is with us within Thanks for having us. Mitchell Donaldson |
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