The Last Word

By Sam Kilsby | Posted: Monday October 24, 2016

At Otago Boys', we are a team. All of us: teachers, juniors, seniors; are a part of each others journey, and I would argue are a crucial part to each other’s success. Whether we done the hoops, or a PE top, a grey shirt or a blazer, we are all part of the same school, the same brotherhood, the same team. Boys in your five years of being in this team you will learn about many things, but most importantly you will learn about yourselves.

My five years of being in the OB’s team is about to come to a close, and it has been a ride and a half. I’ve had some outstanding experiences, met lads that I’ll be friends with for the rest of my life, and received a great education. I’ve played some top quality sport, had some top quality banter, jumped into a freezing river at Mount Aspiring, faced my fears, been faced with many challenges, and had many triumphs. I have been extremely lucky to have the journey that I have had, but I have to acknowledge that I wouldn’t have completed it without my team.

Without my OBs brothers I would not be where I am today. Without a mate there I would have never jumped into that river, without the support from my friend group I wouldn’t have taken half the opportunities that I did, without a brother there beside me in the tough times I can tell you I would have really struggled. Without my team I wouldn’t have been taught the lessons in humility, courage, excellence and respect that make me the man I am today.

I can also not thank my teachers enough for what they have given me. Thank you for giving me the opportunities to extend myself, thank you for helping me pursue my passions in my learning, and thank you for caring about me. Without you guys on my team, I don’t know where I would be.

I would like to leave you boys, for the very last time, with a bit of an analogy that I picked up this year. There was a certain legendary team called the Mighty Otago Boys' High School 4ths, a football team that won it’s division, got put up a grade, and then nearly won that as well. It was no secret that this team had it’s star players, who definitely carried. But when these star players lost the ball it was the responsibility of the others to get it back. Boys, by this I mean that in life you will make mistakes, but as long as you’ve got a team around you it will not be the end of the world.

So boys remember your team. This school, your mates, your teachers, your brothers. They have, and will continue to make you who you are. They should never be forgotten, because if you forget your team, you forget yourself. You don’t ever have to go it alone, because you have 800 people who will always be there to support you.

To my fellow Year 13’s, we are reaching the end of our journey at OB’s. We have all made memories as a team. We have sweated out exams, tense sporting battles, and various other dramas as a team. I cannot thank you lads enough for the memories, it has been a pleasure to serve with you over the last 5 years. But lads this is not the end. We will all bleed blue and white for the rest of our days. We will all be brothers until the end.

‘The uniform makes for brotherhood, since when universally adopted, it covers up all differences’