With the year coming to an end students in Stage 3 have been busy writing school captain's speeches. graduation speeches and letters to their future selves as reflections on their school journey so far. For today's Focus on Learning I thought it would be nice to share some of my favourite parts of their writing.

Captain's Speech Excerpts:

Have you ever wondered what makes a school great? Is it the buildings, the playgrounds, or is it the students and teachers who work together to make it a place where we all feel proud? Good morning teachers, peers, parents, special guests, candidates and Fr Kingsley. As you might already know, my name is Cynthia and I'm standing here today because I believe I can make our school an even better place. Now, I'm not the loudest person in the room-you probably won't catch me shouting across the playground. But I am kinds, loyal, a great team member and a positive role model.

Cynthia Chen

You should vote for me because I'll do what I say I'm going to. I’ll demonstrate sportsmanship. What is sportsmanship? Sportsmanship is for example you give people turns and let people have a go. Why is sportsmanship important? It’s important because people will have fun on or off of the school fields.

Marshal Cook

Good afternoon everyone, I am Babesh and I'm going to be a captain that will value, respect and care for all students and teachers by waiting patiently and respecting others by helping them in the playground.

Babesh Dangol

Good Morning ladies, gentlemen and candidates. I am here to say why I should be the 2025 school captain. I am 11 years old and I have six brothers and sisters. My favorite sport is NRL and i love playing it. My first reason I would make a great school captain...I will always wear my school uniform with pride. This shows I am proud to be a leader of the school and represent it in our community with ANZAC parades.

Bradley Colgan

Now I want to tell you that a good leader or any human being should always be a good listener to others and never judge their ideas and beliefs. Even if you're a captain that doesn't mean you can boss people around, because in my opinion that's a person with no character for their role. For instance I feel that I'm a good listener because I can maintain active listening when asked questions and starting a conversation.

Daniella Cortis

The type of school leader I will be is the type of leader that upholds the values of living well, learning well framework by respecting people's personal space, to know when to stop, not judging anyone, to respect the way someone learns and to help guide and show the right things to do in different learning areas. If elected my goals are to find less people on the buddy bench without anyone to play with. Make your own movie and be the best version of yourself and the nice character by showing the three c’s caring, courageous, consistent. Don't be the bossiest person on the playground instead, give ideas in the most kind and non- judgemental way.

Sienna Thompson

For example I will sit lonely people at lunch. I will make sure everyone is being friendly to each other. I know these are just small things but if I do lots of them they will make a big impact. John C Maxwell said "a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way". I know I can be that leader but I can’t do it all by myself. If needed I could ask teachers for help or even you guys. There might be some bumps along the way but John C Maxwell also said "without Failure there is no achievement".

Billie Peach

I've had a fantastic time so far at Saint Joseph’s and I know I would strive to help others. I always help the teachers when needed and the same for my classmates. If I were captain I would support all who need it by seeing if they’re ok and checking in with people regularly.

Harold Connal

As Hercules and Zeus once said, " a true captain is not measured by the strength of their muscles but the strength of their heart". I know I have a big heart for this job. My heart is big and I love to make sure everyone is happy. That why I think that I’d make an extraordinary captain.'

Lily Brown

Good afternoon staff and students. I am Logan Allan and I would like to become school captain or prefect for 2025. I will be kind and caring to everyone in the school. I promise I will help anyone in need even in class and outside in the playground. I always wear my uniform with pride while outside and inside of school. I am positive that great leaders are great listeners which I believe I am. Someone once said “Leadership is action, not position.” – Donald H. McGannon

Logan Allan

I guarantee that I will wear our school uniform correctly and always make sure that I tuck my shirt in after every play and before walking into school. It is important to show pride in our school uniform because the younger students look up to us.

Hendrix O'Loughlin

Graduation Speech Excerpts:

According to all aerodynamic laws the bumblebee cannot fly, because its body weight is not in the right proportion to its wingspan. Ignoring these laws; the bee flies anyway. Although St Joseph's may be small, we manage to lift off as a community to be amazing and powerful. To me, this is how St Joey's resembles a bee.

Alex Davis

Of course I'm going to miss not being able to see some of my friends. I believe that my friends are always generous with their help. I know they are good people. This makes my time with them memorable.

Bailey Garden

Let's go back to the very beginning of my school years. I was playing on the ramp while waiting for the bus and I tripped and fell. My two front teeth went through my top lip and I was rushed to the hospital. Instead, my first day of school was spent in the hospital.

Braxton Hand

I am also very grateful for all of my friends I have had throughout the years. They have been there for me all this time and have taught me very valuable lessons like don’t waste your energy on worrying, use that energy to believe and trust. The thing about friendships is you will go through some ups and downs but at the end of the day they will always be there for you. These amazing friends have always taught me to laugh out the bad times.

Jorja Jamieson

I have made countless unforgettable friendships in my years at this school. More importantly, all of my friends share so many incredible qualities such as being hilarious and so entertaining and together we have made many memorable memories. There are so many examples but I would be standing here for ages if I was to share them all with you.

Phoebe Farrant-Wills

One of my favourite things about this school is the amazing representative opportunities like school captain, brain olympia and obviously sport. I’ve represented in all of these like state in high jump, lots of Poldings, Young Leaders Day in sydney and the Brain Olympia finals.

Ricky Hird

In addition, there are other events that I can clearly remember, such as the school plays. In year 4, I (as well as Jorja) was Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. That was the first school play I had ever participated in, and I enjoyed every bit. 2 years later, in year 6, we did Snow White, and I was the Evil Queen. I think my voice is still damaged from all the screaming. The glitzy costumes, the outstanding set pieces, and the glowing spotlight makes these school plays very memorable for me. Thank you so much to the staff who made this possible.

Rosie Lee

Good evening teachers, staff, parents and students of this magnificent school, my name is as you all know, Shivansh. After ages of learning at a primary school I will finally be moving to another level, high school. I have had the best time at this school so far. I have had so many friends along the way and I just want to say thanks to them for everything they have done for me and I appreciate them. In this school every kid gets the opportunity to travel and that's what I love about this school, I had so much fun at canberra it was all great.

Shivansh Madan

Joey’s Matters

Weekly Newsletter of St Joseph’s Primary School Quirindi

Week 9, Term 4, 2024 · 10 Dec 2024

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