Oswin and Maia, students from Form 6 Cassia and Form 6 Jacaranda respectively, delivered their outgoing farewell speech as the Chairperson of the Student Union and the House Captains representative respectively. They both reflected on their memorable moments and how those experiences helped them become better person. They also sent their best wishes to the upcoming Student Union cabinet and all house committee members.
Written by Oswin Cao (Form 6)
Good morning, my fellow schoolmates. Wow, what a year it has been! I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for all your enthusiastic support and feedback you have given us through our tenure as the Student Union, Volente. Being the chairperson of Volente is an experience I will hold dearly forever in my heart. Without your support, none of our events would have been possible, such as the Christmas party, Halloween event, and the dodgeball competition.
Looking back, I was once like all of you, standing under the blazing hot sun, listening to the chairperson giving his outgoing farewell speech. At that moment, I didn’t really pay much attention to what he said. I bet you are feeling the same right now. I have never thought of having a chance to stand right here and delivering a farewell speech like he did. As time went by, I started to think if I could aspire high, and I worked hard towards my goal.
Finally, I am here. Since we won our election, I found myself facing many new challenges each day and there were a lot of memorable moments. My most memorable moment was undoubtedly the Christmas party we held in December last year, where we managed to make the event lively and fun for all students. The live performances at Court C and the enthusiastic dance in the Lower Ground Hall was something I would never forget. My adventure here has been fruitful, inspiring and empowering. It was a fulfilling experience to work with my talented student union members, Allan, Vici, Stanson, Judys, Colman, and my two former members, Faith and Borna. Not only did they assist me on multiple occasions, but also they have brought me new insights, ideas, and kept me in check with a lot of different tasks I held. Thank you to all teachers who have helped me become a better person, especially Ms. Kwok, who supported the Student Union and gave us numerous pieces of advice along the way.
Thank you to Mr Terry Hui, my house tutor, for your patience and relentless gentle reminders and encouragement.
Thank you, Mr. Hindes for your generous support and guidance in our journey.
I would like to end my possibly final speech with a quote from a movie called “A Most Violent Year”. It says: “When it feels scary to jump, that is exactly when you jump; otherwise you end up staying in the same place your whole life, and that I can't do.” As time goes by, there will be ample opportunities for you to explore. It’s time for you to step out of your comfort zone and create new experiences in your life. Thank you.
Written by Maia Sidley (Form 6)
Hi everyone, I think we can all agree that this has been one of the most eventful years we’ve had in a while. For that, we can proudly thank the Student Union and all house committee members who have put in countless hours of hard work and dedication to make this year more memorable for all of us. Like what Oswin said, none of it would have been possible if it weren’t for all of you who offered your support and enthusiasm.
I'm sure all of us have been through many challenges throughout this journey but as I stand here today as Jacaranda’s House Captain, I am grateful for those obstacles because, at the end of the day, we were able to turn those challenges into triumph. Each storm we encountered made us stronger. They taught us valuable lessons, helping us discover our strengths and weaknesses that shaped us as leaders. Through teamwork, we leaned on each other’s unique talents in order to achieve the best outcomes we were able to in many events. This is why I would like to shine some light on my amazing committee members: Shreyaan, Joben, Patrick, Marcus, and Isabella for their dedication and positivity that helped to foster our spirit, and eventually helped us maintain Jacaranda’s winning legacy.
I have developed my leadership and organizational skills in ways that I could never have imagined. I remember, in preparation for the cheerleading competition, it seemed impossible to get everything to look perfect. When we performed, it still wasn’t perfect despite all our efforts, so I felt a bit like I had let everyone down. However, I noticed that you guys still kept your spirits up high so we all walked away proud. I was so proud of what we accomplished on that day. That is why I always say, one of the most important things I have learned as a House captain is the value of maintaining house spirit. Keeping the house spirit up high, especially in times of struggle, this brings us all closer together as a community. It creates an atmosphere that is crucial in staying motivated as we all continue to strive for excellence.
Finally, as we prepare to step down, we would like to wish the upcoming house committees the best of luck and remember, never lose faith in your house even when things might seem overwhelming and uncertain. In my experience, everything will turn out to be great. Some people may doubt us along the way, but it is essential to keep striving to reach your full potential and accomplish all your goals.
Thank you all once again for making this an unforgettable experience and good luck!