Home In the News Junior School Prefects' Commendation 2008
Junior School Prefects' Commendation 2008

This speech was presented by the President of the St Andrew's Alumni at the Junior School Prefects' Commendation on 2nd April 2008.

Mrs Pryke, Archbishop John Chew, teachers, students and parents,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here this morning and I would like to thank Mrs Pryke for the honour of being your guest on this important occasion, the Prefects Commendation.

It is wonderful coming back to the Primary School which is now so impressive, beautiful, and huge. It is the all important starting point for a Saints boy as he progresses through the three schools in this Village, the only one of its kind in Singapore.

St Andrew’s is a special school. It opens its doors to students from the surrounding community be they rich or poor and gives each student the opportunity to learn to be a Saint which is to be a gentleman, a leader and an ambassador and all of you should feel proud to be here and strive to make the school proud of you.

We may not have the funding that other schools have but the care and dedication that your principal and teachers show you makes up for many things. And you can return this dedication by studying hard, listening to your teachers and to always be on the look out for boys who may have less than you and showing compassion to one another.

The St Andrew’s Alumni of which I am President also cares deeply about the welfare and well being of each one of you boys and we are always ready to support any fundraising proposals and projects the school may have.

Being in School again brings back a flood of memories – memories of my teachers who guided me and gave me the education that allowed me to be what I am today, memories of my friends and notable characters in the school and most of all memories of detention class and running away from prefects and their watchful eye.

You Prefects have been chosen for your ability and your maturity. You are given the power to “book” your schoolmates for being late, untidy, unruly and other infractions. But with this power comes great responsibility. Exercise your power correctly and compassionately. Hear the students out first and use your judgment before punishing them. Lead by example. We always respect a person who leads the way by being a good example himself rather than forcing us to do something when he himself does not do it. There are many different kinds of students. Some need to be led, others need to be pushed and some even need to be dragged along the way. Remember you are a Shepard, no different from the Gentle Shepard of Nazareth some 2000 years ago who also led by example and whose compassion for others is unparalleled.

I congratulate all of you on your appointments.

Woffles Wu
President
St Andrew's Alumni