Dux Address

The following address was delivered by Jack Pillay (YNG 2025) recipient of the Young Exhibition for Dux of the School

Good morning official party, staff and boys,

During long periods of swotvac or debating, what kept me in persistent pursuit of my passions was a belief that I could excel, if I put in the hard yards. With equal conviction, I believe that you too have the capacity to excel – not necessarily at academics – hopefully not at academics – a world full of ATAR sweatsters would be pretty dreary – but the capacity to excel at something you love doing.

A large portion of society do not reach that level because they are denied access to the necessary opportunities. If any of us do not reach that level, it is much more likely because we have lacked the will or the want to shape and sharpen our opportunity into greatness. Many lack the want to excel because they’ve been misled into believing that excellence looks like a narrow set of options.

The truth is that a drive to excel will come when you find something that you love doing, and from it will spring forth an unending fountain of fulfilment. Passion, however, does not equate to perseverance. It is said “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”. I mean really, what a load of rubbish. Because of this saying, when we know we love something, we expect passion alone to provide us with the gumption to plough ahead.

However, I think everyone can agree that loving something, or someone, does not mean that there are no challenging moments – often, it’s quite the opposite.

So, instead of waiting for motivation to lightly tap you on the shoulder, act now, before regret bludgeons you over the head.

Along the path to success, your relationships with those around can be your foundation in challenging and joyous moments alike. I thank my mum, for being an inspiring role-model and for sending me to this School. I thank every one of my teachers who have worked tirelessly to empower me and thousands of students with an exemplary education.

Since leaving school, what I’ve looked back on most fondly has not been being sent out of class by Mr Jaldiani, or watching reels in the Year 12 College, although they are both fond memories. What I’ve missed most is the casual conversation shared with people who I would never normally get to know.

The web of community at this School will tie you to all sorts of people, and that will ground you, and comfort you, and give you meaning. For this to work, the School will have to force this community upon you, in the form of mentor or muster or co-curriculars. When you are younger, you may not realise its value, but as you grow older you will begin to appreciate it. I am reminded of a favourite film from my childhood, Nanny McPhee. As Nanny McPhee describes her presence, I will say the same of the structure of SPSC.

“When you need it, but do not want it, then it must stay. When you want it, but no longer need it, it must go.”

So, follow your passion with vigour. Remember that this time will pass you by anyway, so you may as well make something from it.

And  hopefully, by approaching the wonderful experiences offered to you with the awe that they deserve, you will reach that magical point – of wanting it, but no longer needing it – before it has to go, as you leave the Hackney Road gates one last time.

Thank you.

The following address was delivered by Lachlan Siow (HWK 2025) recipient of the Young Exhibition for Dux of the School

Good morning Headmaster, official party, staff, and boys. When you think of the word school, what usually comes to mind? For almost all my life, school in my head meant completing assignments, studying for tests, endless cortisol spikes and time wasted that I could have spent relaxing at home and enjoying myself.

And after two and a half months away from school, I can confidently say all of the above is still true. But, if I had to be really honest with myself, there is a bit more than that. School to me was also where I found my closest friends and met people I’ll never forget. It’s where so many of my most cherished memories were made. And now that I’ve graduated, I realise that I’ll never again get to experience many of the things I took for granted, like our lunchtime soccer matches on main oval, the games we played in class, and just being able to muck around and have a laugh with my mates.

I know everybody tells you this, and now you’re going to hear it another time, but school really does go by in a flash. One second you’re in Year 7 with your mates switching screens away so the teachers don’t see your games, and the next second you’re taking your last exam. I know it sounds hard to believe, but I really do envy all of you boys in the audience, and I would gladly go through all the stress of Year 12 to experience those memories again.

So to be honest, if there was any advice I could give to all of you, it would simply be to appreciate and enjoy every moment that you have with your teachers and your mates. We have such a diverse community at SPSC, from boarders halfway across the world, to city boys who might live a couple streets down, that I’m sure anyone can find friends who they will remember forever. I know academic success and sporting achievements are important too, but as a very wise man once said, high school is not your peak. When you’re 80 years old and looking back on your life, it won’t be the test you failed or time you missed out on the Intercol team that you remember, but it will be the moments you shared with your friends along the way.

Thank you.