The Last Word

By Oak Chisholm | Posted: Tuesday April 1, 2025

I would like to stand here before you and talk about brotherhood here at Otago Boys' High School.

Brotherhood is more than just a word; it is the foundation on which the school has been built for the last 160 years and more.

When we first walked through the archway, most of us were strangers, all of us from different backgrounds and with different goals and fears. However, the brotherhood between us throughout the years was forged together, whether this was at the early morning training, the overnight at Year 10 camp, or running up Stewart Street in Mr. Alderton’s Year 9 PE class. Moments like these are what run through the walls of this school, the banter, the struggle, and the determination to show up alongside your brothers and get the job done. This is what makes the brotherhood of Otago Boys’ High so special.

All of us may have seen the brotherhood of this place shine through in different times. For me personally the brotherhood stuck out to me just six days ago. When the First XI lost and did not qualify for the First XI cup at the end of the year. This moment happened after the game in the changing rooms, a parent of the team and an old boy of the school came in and told us how proud of us he was, not just as sportsmen but as men. These words meant a lot to me as I was barely coping with a tough loss. For me this shows the brotherhood of this school, an old boy that I didn't even know a short 5 years ago guided me through a tough time using his words. A true brotherhood isn't just celebrating the big wins but supporting your mates when faced with adversity.

As our 13 years of schooling comes to an end, we stand on the brink of new beginnings. Let us carry this spirit of brotherhood with us and know what it means to be an old boy of the school. Let us be the kind of men who lift others up, who lead with empathy, and who stand firm in the face of adversity. Let us remember that no matter where life takes us, we will always be part of something greater — a brotherhood of Otago Boys' that time and distance cannot break.

So today, as we reflect on our journey, let us be grateful for the bonds we’ve built and the memories we’ve made. Let us be grateful for the lessons we’ve learned and the people who have stood by our side. And most importantly, let us carry this sense of brotherhood with us, not just as a memory, but as a guiding light for the future.

To my brothers, thank you. Thank you for the laughter, the lessons, and the loyalty. Thank you for showing me the true meaning of friendship and brotherhood. As we move forward, let us never forget the bond we have created between us.