School Trustees and Board Members;
School Management;
School Head Teacher;
Invited Guests;
Students of Kulukulu Public School;
Bula vinaka, Cola Vina and a very good morning to you all.
It is indeed a pleasure to be here today to officiate at your 2019 Prefects Induction Ceremony and I thank you for the kind invitation.
Today is an important and memorable occasion for students who will be inducted as prefects for the first time. So I am sure you share the excitement of the day with me.
For those of you who have been chosen as prefects, you have proven not only to yourselves, but to your friends, your teachers and your parents that you are leaders. When you become a leader, you are required to lead by example and not by force. A good leader will only be able to earn respect by his or her actions and deeds, rather than threats and commands. When you think your classmates are doing something wrong, guide them to the right path. If they are stuck, help them.
Remember, to lead is to serve, so a good leader is not someone who throws his/her weight around and has very little to show for. Good leaders lead from the front. They show the way and help others with how things are to be done.
I encourage you to always set a good example, so that others may follow. Leadership is about serving so as school prefects, you must have a positive attitude to serve and not expect to be served.
As prefects, you also assist your teachers, you are, therefore, required to be responsible and reliable. You have an obligation and a very important role to play in the nurturing and development of your peers who will be assuming the same responsibilities in future.
Boys and Girls,
Show of hands if you want to grow up to be a Doctor, Pilot, or Teacher? Now show of hands if you want to be something different, like have your own business and be your own boss?
Let me tell you that you can aspire to become whatever you want. All you need to be is hardworking, committed and honest.
The Fijian Government has made and continues to make, every effort to help you realise your dreams. Your Government has provided free education from pre-school or kindergarten, through to primary and secondary school and right up to tertiary level.
At tertiary level, you can either secure a TOPPERS scholarship under which you will be sponsored to study in specifically selected fields, or you could secure a scholarship for any field of study of your choice. The free education initiative is not only limited to tuition fees, but also includes free bus-fare for those who are eligible and free textbooks for all students.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls,
There is only one message that I would like to give you all today – dream big, don’t let anyone discourage you from achieving what you want. You all have special skills and it is only YOU who can realise it. Write down your goals and read it every morning to stay focused. There will always be difficulties but you can’t let that stop you.
And in all that you do, remember to appreciate and give thanks to your parents who I am sure work very hard to educate you and bring you up.
To all parents who are here this morning, continue to play your part in the education of your children. Continue supporting their growth, do not discourage them to work towards their vision.
With those words, I wish the Prefects, teachers and students of Kulukulu Public School all the very best and a successful 2019.
Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhanyavaad, Thank You.