Class 10 Student Speeches

At the Class 10 Dinner last month, each student delivered a speech to the gathered parents and teachers, a version of which will be in The Class of 2011 Yearbook, which each student will receive as they leave. The Following  speeches were made by Naomi and Jack.

Gear Check for Life
Hello, my name is Naomi. I have been at Tarremah since the beginning of my education thirteen years ago.

The one who stands apart from the crowd and goes their own way, the one who does not buckle under the pressure of conformity, who is not blinded by lack of perspective and who seeks out and follows their own individual path, is the one who succeeds. Everyone may say that Tarremah is ‘different’, but in fact this is the key to success! Tarremah is supportive and helps guide each individual to be the best they can be. Tarremah packs each individual’s bag with valuable gifts that they can carry through their journey of life.

My bag started off ten years ago rather empty, with just a little excitement and wonder. Today it’s filled with hope and aspiration, love and passion, courage, honesty and trust and lastly, happiness. With my bag packed, I know my place in this world and I have a lot more understanding about myself. We all know how vital the right gear is when packing for a journey. As John always says, ‘Prepare for the worst and expect the best.’  We also know that to ensure this, a gear check can be useful. So here’s my gear check for life.

I’ve got my compass which is all my hopes and aspirations. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, it will point you in the right direction. It is, however, merely a pointer; you’ve then got to do the work to get there.

Next important item in packing, is rain gear; in my life, my love and passion. You never endeavor to go anywhere without it. It protects you from getting wet or letting the rain dampen your spirits. It’s an outer layer that stops the nasty weather getting in. Then down the side of the outside of my pack is my toilet trowel: my courage. You don’t need it all the time, yet there will be times you’re really glad you’ve got it. It’s a bit of a life saver when you’re suddenly faced with some of the situations life throws at you.  When packing for a bush walk the sleeping bag goes on the bottom. Here lie my honesty and trust. You know that at the end of the day, if you have a good quality bag, you’ll always be warm and safe. Get it wet, it doesn’t work so well, and takes quite a while to dry.

The next thing is something I wear. They may make you look a little odd, but if you want to go on any adventure you’ve got to have your thermals. They are happiness. Something that is so light, yet can be the difference between life and death. Everyone has different coloured stripes!

Now, next, is something that, in my mind and in my heart is most important of all. My beautiful friends whom I love and treasure. I like to think of them as my walking boots. They don’t get packed in the bag, but will always come with me. We all know you don’t get far without them and if you’ve got good ones they won’t give you blisters. They are strong, sturdy and well worn in, to support me all those miles, right to the end. I couldn’t ever do it without them and I’m incredibly thankful for them.

Then there are all the parents and teachers. They are my map. I would be lost without them and even if there was a path, I’d still be a little scared. I always keep them in the top of my pack, just in case I need to stop and check if I’m going the right way. They’re laminated, so they don’t get wrecked and they last forever, always at hand, if ever I need them.

With that, my gear check is complete! Now, bag full, except for a little bit of space for souvenirs, I’m ready to go and travel through the journey of life. On windy roads, through twists and turns, up hills and down hills, I am packed for life. I am really incredibly grateful for my time at Tarremah and wish that every child in the world had the opportunity to pack their bags for life as I have had.

Lastly, in Class Eight I thought I was all packed and ready to go; well, clearly, I hadn’t had a gear check yet.

‘It takes a village…’
There is an old African saying which says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. Tarremah is my village. When I was in primary school I was asked to define the word family. Lost for words I gave the simple answer that family are

the people that you live with. Now, if I was asked the same question, I would respond with a single word: Tarremah. The warm, passionate community at this school is, and always will be, a second family to me. The way everyone, young and old, care for and respect each other is truly incredible and I consider myself lucky to be part of the Tarremah family

Throughout the many years I have been at this school, I have made a life-time of memories, all of which I will remember for eternity. Large memories, such as camps, plays, fairs and concerts, as well as specific memories such as, climbing trees in Class One under the watchful eye of our inspirational teacher Damon. Every single one of these memories, whether great or small, happy or sad, shall never be forgotten or left behind.

Over the twelve years I have spent here,Tarremah has taught me to care for, love and cherish my friends and family, as well as respect and appreciate the things and people around me. Also, I have learnt many lessons like, don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself. And how stupid are you if you run a race with yourself? Over my time at Tarremah I have learnt to understand that some friends come and go, but for a precious few you should hold on,and tight. Work hard to bridge the gaps between you and your friends because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. When new doors open, never close the old ones.

I look at my time at Tarremah as being the first chapter in my life’s novel; this school has given me the tools to go out into this crazy world of ours and write my own story.
Jack