The Last Word

By Will Pyper | Posted: Wednesday February 11, 2026

The “Last Word” has become a valued tradition at senior assembly, giving Year 13 leaders the opportunity to speak to their peers about what matters most to them. We start the year with Head Boy, Will Pyper.

To the Year 11s and new students — welcome to the senior school. When you put on this blue blazer, you’re stepping into a space where higher standards are expected. Higher standards in how you carry yourself, how you treat others, and the example you set within this school.

To the returning Year 12 and 13 boys, you already know the standards expected of you. Whether you realise it or not, the boys in grey shirts are watching you and the way you act. You set the tone for what the senior school looks like through the example you set each day.

As the year begins, ask yourself this: how often are you actually present, rather than counting down to the next big moment?

It’s a trap we all fall into. We treat Monday through Thursday like a drag just to get to Friday. We treat a training session like a chore just to get to the game. We are always focusing on what is coming next, rather than simply living in the moment — focused on the next assessment, the next result, the next milestone. In doing that, we forget to fully live the days in front of us. We are constantly writing the next chapter before we’ve even finished the page we’re on.

High school life moves fast. If we’re not careful, we go through the motions and only really show up for what we think are the “big moments.” However, it’s often the smaller moments — the ones that seem less significant — that we remember most. A laugh with your mates, the conversations between classes, or simply being present with the people around you. These are the things we barely think about at the time, yet they’re the moments we look back on later and wish we’d valued more.

If I’m honest, I don’t think I’ve always cherished these moments enough. My focus was often locked on what was coming up next, and in that rush, I missed a lot of what was happening in front of me. But I’ve learned to focus more on day-to-day experiences and to stop getting too far ahead of myself. Doing that has helped me appreciate where I am, rather than always dwelling on what’s next.

So boys, as we move through this year, I challenge you to be more present in the moments that often get overlooked. Don’t rush through the days just to get to what comes next. Take notice of the small things — the time spent with your mates, the effort from teachers and coaches, and the people who show up for you every day. These moments might seem ordinary, but they’re the ones that shape your experience here, both now and once you leave.

To the Year 11s and 12s: you still have time. Three years, two years — don’t rush it. These moments will pass faster than you think. I challenge you to slow down, take a breath, and take the time to enjoy the moment you’re living in now.

And to my fellow Year 13s, we have 31 weeks left before we walk through the archway for the last time. After 13 years of school, we will be done. Let’s make the most of our final year.

Let’s make this a year we remember — not because we only lived for the big moments or highlights, but because we were present for the rest of it.

A year where we valued the moment we were in, not just the one we were chasing.

A year where we backed one another, showed up for each other, and made the most of the time we had together.

In true Otago Boys' tradition, I will end with a quote:

“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
— Robert Brault