SCHOOL CAPTAINS’ REPORT
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ne of the most rewarding experiences of being one of the school captains of 2016 was being a part of the Cambodia Challenge. It truly was an experience that has shaped us forever. We left behind the commitments, routine and stress of year 12 and entered a world of hardship. Of littered streets and dirt roads, stray dogs and shoeless children and, yet, one of vibrant coloured temples, rich culture and beautiful people.
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s John Quincy Adams once said, 'If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.'
Kiara Gashi
I had never felt so happy to be covered in sweat and dirt, dancing with the children of Kampuchea House, building a home for a young family and teaching English. I experienced the rawest sense of fulfilment that I ever had before; not brought on by an A+ or a new possession – the sheltered sense of fulfilment from back home – but the simple knowledge that we had given to those who had not been given much in their lives. And this reminded me why I applied for school captain and why I will always love Westbourne. Through opportunities like these and the people I have been surrounded by, I have watched myself transform from someone shy and voiceless, into who I am today. For that, I will always be thankful. In my final weeks I have become increasingly aware of the comfort I feel walking through the school, of the number of people I can smile at and know they will smile back. But, most of all, I have become aware of the emptiness I will feel not rushing to catch a bus at 7.58 every morning to a place I feel I truly belong. To have been the leader of the school and help shape it in the way it has shaped me has given me so much pride and I thank Westbourne for all it has done.
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Being a School Prefect and being in the position to lead is much more than just having position, it is much more than being the Oluwapemi face of a House or the school. It Akin Ojelabi is about fostering an environment of teamwork, inclusiveness, togetherness and communication that allows things to be done and progress to be made. It is also about inspiring; inspiring others to try new things, aim high, give the best of themselves for the cause and become the best version of themselves in the process. As the end of our final year draws near, I find it difficult to put into words how proud I am of the prefect group of 2016 and, in extension, the Class of 2016, for how we have come to embody these attributes throughout the course of the year. Seeing, firsthand, the time and effort that has gone into striving to achieve our main goal of raising $30,000 for Kampuchea House has been phenomenal. To Ms Hansen, Ms Mahony, Mr McGregor, Ms Scerri, Reverend Thompson, all the Heads of Houses and everyone else involved in our fundraising efforts, thank you for your guidance and support. Not nearly as much would have been done without you. To the Class of 2016, it has been an absolute honour to spend my last six years of schooling with such amazing people and to be school captain along with Kiara. Leading an amazing group of hardworking and talented prefects has been a humbling and rewarding experience.