FIRST HEAD PREFECT ADDRESS - ETHAN JOHANSON
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all young men attending Palmerston North Boys’ High School in 2019, especially those students who are new to our school. This year will be full of triumphs and failures for all of us, but we must, as part of the Palmy Boys’ brotherhood, have each other’s backs. We succeed and fail together. Everybody has a place in this school, regardless of their background, so look after your brothers because life gets tough, no one is immune to that. To the Year 9’s, throughout your time at PNBHS, your opportunities are endless. Take as many as you can, immerse yourselves into every facet of school life, whether it be in academia, sporting, cultural and/or character education. To the returning students, continue to apply our standards set in previous years and look to extend yourself in every aspect. All of us will inevitably experience disappointment in one way or another. Do not let this hinder you. It may not feel like it at the time, but that is where you really learn who you are and why you are here. Take responsibility and don’t give up; it is through adversity that we build resilience and character. In the words of Helen Keller “Character cannot be developed in times of ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambitions inspired and success achieved”.
Cultural, sporting and academic successes have created the strong reputation of this school, as has the high quality of young men who leave Palmy Boys’ at the conclusion of their schooling. Once you enter the blue gates of this school, you are a Palmy Boy and you join in upholding our reputation and being part of our 117 year old traditions. However, acceptance into our brotherhood does not come simply by sitting in this hall, eating your sandwiches and letting these five years pass you by. It has to be earned by living our school values on a daily basis. Always remember that respect commands respect. This year, as the 113th Palmerston North Boys’ High School Head Prefect, I strive for this school to be filled with genuine, respectful young men, building on the successes of those who have preceded us.
