Zach, aged 12 completed all four terms. This is his graduation speech:
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Zach. To start with I would like to give a few thankyous. Firstly, I would like to thank Miss Anderson for teaching me so many amazing skills, my parents for taking me to Longford and Fraser every Monday and my peers for being awesome.
Over the year that I have being doing this course I have learnt a lot like the five-star handshake, self-control for when something funny happens at an inappropriate time, acts of chivalry and the ability to start and maintain conversations.
In some of the sessions we discussed the most gracious way to handle disappointment. Recently I was trying really hard to get into the A team for my football team. Despite playing really well I still got selected for the B team. I felt disappointed and sad. This course helped me work through this. I gave myself time to think about it and I didn’t dwell. This is an example that life is a rocky road and I know I am going to be faced with several disappointments and difficult periods through my life, but I now have tools to get me through this.
My favourite lesson was the lesson when I learnt about good microphone technique and using confident body language. I have already had practice using the microphone at school assembly’s which helped with my confidence.
The knowledge that I would take with me for the rest of my life is the five-star handshake because it is professional, and it leads to a world class first impression.
The most powerful lesson for me was the lesson when we discussed peer pressure. We spoke about how behaving like a lion is good. A lion can think for themselves make wise and courageous decisions. On the school holidays I was on a bike ride with my friends, they decided to go to an area the was secluded and to me didn’t feel safe. After discussing it with my 3 friends they decided to stay however I went with my gut feeling and left. That’s an example of me being a lion.
The thing that has helped me the most at school is being able to have self-control when something funny happens at an inappropriate time.
The atmosphere and feeling in the classroom was positive, it was safe and welcoming. Every week I looked forward to coming.
When I went into the classroom for the first time, I felt like it was going to be a bit of a chore, but it turns out that it was one of the best learning opportunities that I will get in my life.
The lesson that I will remember for the rest of my life is the lesson when I learnt how to reply to someone that is being mean. I will thank them for their feedback and not get upset.
I have learnt to overcome so many of my fears like talking in public and approaching unknown situations with confidence.
The leader that I am most inspired by is Neil Daniher because despite being dealt with MND, he continues to remain positive and be happy. I recently went to the Collingwood Melbourne AFL match and despite Neils progressive disability he stood there with a smile on his face.
The leadership qualities we need most in the world today are respect, being kind and world peace.
No doubt that this leadership course helped me obtain a leadership position at the start of grade 6.
Once again thank you Miss Anderson.
Good evening and good night!