HoS speech
In just over a month's time, I have to make a Head of School speech to the entire student body, as well as parents, teachers and guests. Have decided to start writing my speech now so that it isn't terrible. Here are my ideas so far. WARNING - it's not particularly coherent right now.
Although Liz the librarian says that I owe the school three History books from Year 11, I feel that I owe Hillcrest much more than that. In the five years that I’ve been at Hillcrest, a number of people have asked me - so where is Hillcrest? And do you like it? You get the idea. So I decided that this evening we should ask ourselves the question - what is Hillcrest? According to Wikipedia, Hillcrest is a school based in the Nairobi suburb of Karen, founded in 1975. But Hillcrest has been so much more than just an academic institution, so much more than a cluster of buildings and fields. The Hillcrest spirit is so much bigger than I am, but I will attempt to capture it here.
Hillcrest is about transformation - the Italian girl who arrived in 2004 unable to speak English is now a renowned Spoken Word artist - who performs in English. Hillcrest is about standing up for what you believe in; I remember when I first joined the school in Year 9 I couldn’t believe that students could actually COMPLAIN about things they were unhappy with!
Hillcrest is about ideas and ideals - being angry about the world’s injustices but becoming determined the alter them.
Hillcrest is about caring for others - the Peer Mentoring and Tutoring programs which receive little credit but do a great deal of good.
Hillcrest is about dedication - teachers who will spend their lunchtimes, evenings and even weekends to make ensure that their students are more than comfortable with the material covered in class.
Hillcrest is about passion - macho eighteen year boys crying after losing a hockey match because they cared about it so much.
(Need to tidy the above bit up)
And, above all else, Hillcrest is a family - watching how the school cheered on Hillcrest alumni such as CNN presenter Zain Verjee, KTN presenter Edith Kimani and game show contestant Kiran Jethwa has given me confidence that no matter where I go or what I do, Hillcrest will always be right behind me. It is a family to which you and I will always belong.
Although Liz the librarian says that I owe the school three History books from Year 11, I feel that I owe Hillcrest much more than that. In the five years that I’ve been at Hillcrest, a number of people have asked me - so where is Hillcrest? And do you like it? You get the idea. So I decided that this evening we should ask ourselves the question - what is Hillcrest? According to Wikipedia, Hillcrest is a school based in the Nairobi suburb of Karen, founded in 1975. But Hillcrest has been so much more than just an academic institution, so much more than a cluster of buildings and fields. The Hillcrest spirit is so much bigger than I am, but I will attempt to capture it here.
Hillcrest is about transformation - the Italian girl who arrived in 2004 unable to speak English is now a renowned Spoken Word artist - who performs in English. Hillcrest is about standing up for what you believe in; I remember when I first joined the school in Year 9 I couldn’t believe that students could actually COMPLAIN about things they were unhappy with!
Hillcrest is about ideas and ideals - being angry about the world’s injustices but becoming determined the alter them.
Hillcrest is about caring for others - the Peer Mentoring and Tutoring programs which receive little credit but do a great deal of good.
Hillcrest is about dedication - teachers who will spend their lunchtimes, evenings and even weekends to make ensure that their students are more than comfortable with the material covered in class.
Hillcrest is about passion - macho eighteen year boys crying after losing a hockey match because they cared about it so much.
(Need to tidy the above bit up)
And, above all else, Hillcrest is a family - watching how the school cheered on Hillcrest alumni such as CNN presenter Zain Verjee, KTN presenter Edith Kimani and game show contestant Kiran Jethwa has given me confidence that no matter where I go or what I do, Hillcrest will always be right behind me. It is a family to which you and I will always belong.