Speech Day 2024
Speech Day 2024
“Carpe diem. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary”
WGS held its much anticipated Senior School Speech Day at the end of the academic year, bringing together staff, pupils, parents, and esteemed guests for a day of celebration and reflection. The event showcased the school’s commitment to excellence, community, and opportunity, as articulated by Headmaster Barney Rimmer and guest speaker Mr Richard Petherick.
In his address, Headmaster Mr Rimmer, reflecting on his second year in the role, spoke passionately about the school’s evolving culture and the values that underpin it. “Our school’s culture is not just a concept but a living, breathing entity that manifests itself in everything we do – academically, in the arts, in sports, pastoral care, support, and administration”, he said. He emphasised the importance of humility, integrity, and inclusivity, noting that these qualities shape the experiences and successes of the WGS community.
Mr Rimmer also highlighted the numerous achievements of the past year, including academic successes, artistic performances, and sporting triumphs. He praised the school’s vibrant community spirit, exemplified by events like the Pride Fayre and various charity drives. “Our pupils and staff have shown real honesty and a commitment to strong moral and ethical values, embracing diversity and supporting each other through challenges”, he added.
Guest speaker Mr Richard Petherick, Deputy Principal of an international school in Singapore and a former New Zealand national hockey player, shared his inspiring journey and the lessons he has learned along the way. Richard emphasised the importance of honesty, listening, and making decisions with the future in mind. “Honesty is the foundation of trust and respect”, he said. “Embrace honesty in all aspects of your life, and you will pave the way for personal and academic growth”.
Richard’s address also touched on the significance of resilience and adaptability. He recounted his experiences in international sports, including the challenges and triumphs of competing at the highest levels, and how these experiences have shaped his perspective. “When one door closes, another opens”, he remarked. “The experiences that hockey gave me were amazing, but life had to be bigger than the 10 years I had at that level”.
Richard also offered five key pieces of advice to pupils: embrace honesty as the foundation of all relationships, be an active listener, make decisions with the future in mind, view failures as opportunities for growth, and maintain resilience in the face of adversity.
The event concluded with a heartfelt send off for the U6th leavers. Mr Rimmer offered sage advice, urging them to focus on personal growth and the development of essential life skills.
He reminded the pupils that school was not just about exam results, certificates, badges, or ties, but about the skills and behaviours needed for the next part of their journey. He advised them to be their own best friends, to stay positive, and to talk to themselves in a positive way.
Mr Rimmer encouraged the leavers to make the most of opportunities, acknowledging that these opportunities might make them feel nervous or afraid, but emphasising that it was okay to push themselves out of their comfort zones and to dare to dream big.
He also urged them to continue surrounding themselves with people who want the best for them, who will encourage, support, and believe in them. He reminded them that everyone at the school that evening was there to support them and that they would always be Old Grammarians, with WGS as a lifelong support network, ready to offer guidance whenever needed.
He concluded with the powerful message, “Carpe diem. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary”, quoting John Keating from Dead Poet’s Society.
As WGS looks ahead to its 650th anniversary in 2029, the values of humility, integrity, and inclusivity are set to continue guiding its path. The Senior School Speech Day 2024 stood as a testament to the school’s enduring commitment to fostering a supportive and dynamic community, poised to embrace the future with confidence and curiosity.
