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| Photo by Nhia Moua on Unsplash |
Senior prizegiving happened last Friday and, as always, it was a terrific way to send the senior students off to their external exams or summer holiday jobs. This was my second one at Hastings Boys' High School.
I'm a big fan of the pomp and ceremony that goes with school prizegivings. Seeing boys going across the stage receiving awards, wearing the academic gown, processing to the stage, the kapa haka performance, hearing the old boy speeches - all that stuff! It's magical.
Although many walked the stage, prizes went to the most deserving. That makes them personal and meaningful. I've always seen prizegivings as an intrinsic reward for success, rather than a motivating factor for others. Although, healthy competition for prizes isn't a bad thing as far as I'm concerned.
Many are called, but few are chosen.
