This morning we were honoured to welcome to assembly the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable John Key, Minister for Conservation, Seniors Citizens, and Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Honourable Maggie Barry and Minister of Health, the Honourable Jonathan Coleman.
Proceedings began with a rousing performance from Voicemail of the Festival Gloria by Craig Courtney. Mrs. Barry then addressed the assembled students and staff. As Member of Parliament for the North Shore, she described Westlake Boys High School as ‘one of the finest schools in New Zealand’, commending the broad base of education we provide with our outstanding academic success, one of the top school choirs in the world and a flair for sports. She commended the students to think about nationhood and places that are important to them.
The Prime Minister began his address by remarking that when he visits a school, within five minutes he gets a sense of its nature and culture, and on that basis he would recommend anyone who lives on the North Shore to send their sons to Westlake Boys. He compared the decision about what to do after school with the All Blacks’ forthcoming Rugby World Cup campaign. Assuming they get through the pool stage they will have three big games to win and anything is possible. It is vital that they stay focussed and believe in themselves. Likewise in life, it is important to back yourself. ‘If you have big dreams and goals, pin your ears back and go for it!’ he urged, adding that success is not as much about ability as about attitude and hard work. He noted that Dan Carter and Richie McCaw owe a lot of their success to the hours they put into training, being the first to turn up to training sessions and working that bit harder than anyone else. He reminded students that they live in a big, modern, open world and while they are competing globally with students from many other countries, anything can be achieved in New Zealand.
Hot topic of the Prime Minister’s speech was the flag debate. He asked for an honest show of hands for and against changing the flag and noted that a significant number were against a change. He explained that the issue is not new but has been considered for many years and gave his reasons in favour of change. He believes it is an issue of national pride and patriotism, commenting that, unlike other nationalities, New Zealanders do not tend to use the flag as a symbol for the country, which he believes it should be, but are more likely to use the silver fern. He sees it is being about the future of New Zealand, not the past. Asking again for a show of hands after stating his case, it was interesting to see how many people had swayed in favour of a change. He encouraged students to think seriously about the issue and have the debate with their parents.
Head Boy, Andre Jackson, thanked Mr. Key on behalf of all the students for his interesting and encouraging words. Mr. Ferguson rounded off assembly by remarking that a visit to a school from the Prime Minister is not something that happens in most of the world and that we are lucky to live where we do.