2019 College Dux - Ben Williams

School Assembly - Dux Speech

Monday 10th February

Thank you Mr Jenner! As mentioned, my name is Ben Williams. It’s good to be back here, to see you all today.

First, a bit about me. I actually did seven years here at school, not the usual six, which gave me the dubious honour of wearing the Year 12 jacket for two years straight. Some of you may remember me - I was the guy who could very often be seen walking up and down corridors during class time, or going in and out of that little office in C-wing. I’ve got two younger siblings here, Thomas and Andy, and I graduated at the end of last year with an ATAR of 98.1.

As far as my goals go, right now, I'm taking a year off study, but doing my best to stay busy. My main this goal this year is to write a book – a fantasy novel which I’m hoping to someday get published. I’m also doing some casual tutoring. Beyond this year I plan to go to Melbourne Uni and study an Arts degree.

Now I've been asked to give you a bit of advice today, something which I feel thoroughly unqualified for, but I’ll do my best. I guess that being the Dux suggests that I must on some level know what I'm doing, which I'm not so sure about! Anyway, here goes.

You probably think I'm going to come up here and tell you about the importance of "hard work", but I'm not. Not because hard work isn't important - of course it is! - But because I think it's a message you hear often enough. High school is filled with this culture of pressure for academia and success. It's also a place where you have to make a lot of choices - subject selections, and what you do with your time.

Now, there are people a lot more qualified to speak on this than I am. So far as it goes, my advice (take it with a grain of salt), is twofold. Firstly, pursue things you're actually interested in. You'll probably actually do better anyway in subjects that you like and are passionate about. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t get outside your comfort zone and do things that will challenge you 0 high school is a wonderful place to find your footing, to test out what you're good at and what you enjoy. But don’t pick subjects or prospective Uni courses simply based on what seems the most respectable or academic. You don’t have to aim for medicine just because it’s highly regarded. Pursue what you want to do for your own sake.

My second piece of advice is a bit more directed. I mentioned earlier that I did seven years of high school. Believe it or not, it wasn't for the fun of it! Throughout school, I suffered from a series of debilitating physical and mental health issues. I know I'm far from the only person here to have had major obstacles placed in the way of their learning. I want to encourage those who are facing these obstacles to break the mould! It can seem while we're in school like the education authorities form some kind of cruel establishment out to make our lives as difficult as possible. But, in my experience, they're actually remarkably flexible.

I only got through school because I had a lot of support and systems in place that allowed me to get through despite my difficulties. The school and even the VCE higher-ups are out to help you, believe it or not. The key is to communicate with them. If they don’t know what you need, they can’t help you get it! Don’t be afraid of support, of flexibility, of getting the help that you need - the rules are here to help you, not to prevent you from passing the grade.

And take care of yourself. Get good sleep, spend time with family and friends, and don’t be afraid to take a break now and then. Work hard, but don’t make school your life.

In the end, however well you do, it’s just a number. You can see just how important (or not) being the dux is to me by how casually I've dressed today! And it’s as much credit to all the people who've been by my side as to me. 

I’ll just finish with some thanks. To the school, for putting up with me for seven years - quite the achievement! And for providing the foundation I needed to cross the finish line. To my teachers, for being endlessly flexible and supportive, and especially Gus Mclean, who has worked incredibly hard to get me through and been a constant source of wisdom and support. To my family, for their love; to my friends, who play a big part in keeping me sane, and to Jesus, my Lord and my God, who has been my rock and my saviour through all of this.

I'm going to leave you know - I've probably rambled on more than long enough. All the best!

Ben Williams