{"id":5167,"date":"2018-06-20T19:28:35","date_gmt":"2018-06-21T02:28:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/westvancouverschools.ca\/rockridge-secondary\/?p=5167"},"modified":"2018-06-20T19:30:37","modified_gmt":"2018-06-21T02:30:37","slug":"three-bits-of-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westvancouverschools.ca\/rockridge-secondary\/three-bits-of-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Bits of Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rockridge community bid farewell to its 214 graduates at the Commencement Ceremony held at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre last night. What a special time for these fine young people and their families! I’ve been asked to share my speech, so here it is … complete with a few visuals to enhance the content!
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It is with great pleasure that I have this opportunity to say a few words to and about the Grad Class of 2018. We are celebrating your 13-year journey that has brought you to this juncture. It is such a privilege having known some<\/em><\/strong> of you throughout those first 8 years. And now five years later, after I wished you all the best as you headed off to high school and shook your hand as you crossed the slightly less elegant elementary school gym floor, we meet again to celebrate together. This is a special moment for me, too. and such an honour.<\/p>\n

Although I have been principal of Rockridge for a mere six months, I feel like I know a fair amount about this grad class from the conversations I have had with staff members and parents, the interactions I have had with many of you, and the events I have attended where you have been impressive role-players. This may have been on the stage, in the gym, on the field, in the classrooms, or throughout the community.\u00a0 What I am seeing and hearing is that you are respectful, giving, caring and kind, resilient and you are known to look out for one another. I hear all the time, \u2018What a great group of kids\u2019.<\/p>\n

A recent email we received from the Host Chair at the BC Hockey Midget Championships held in West Vancouver over spring break, validates this. \u00a0Mrs. Nancy Mckenzie stated, \u201cWe had over 50 volunteers and \u2026. 25% of them were past or present Rockridge students.\u201d<\/em> She commented that many of them didn\u2019t even need the volunteer hours, they just wanted to give back to their community.\u00a0 She went on to write, \u201cBetween the school, the parents, and the community, we have created a group of engaged, helpful citizens who willingly give back to their community, and I think that is something we should collectively be very proud of.\u201d\u00a0<\/em> I couldn\u2019t agree more.<\/p>\n

May 1st<\/sup> was the day when Nardwuar the Human Serviette<\/a> graced us with his presence at Rockridge. Many of you gathered in our library at lunch to meet this well-known character and hear what he had to say. If you are not familiar with Nardwuar, he is a Canadian interviewer and musician, recognizable by the tartan tam set upon his head. He is well known for his unique interview style and techniques and his uncanny knack of digging up facts about the individuals being interviewed.
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Ms. Carrie Lehman, our amazing Art teacher, attended Hillside Secondary with Nardwuar and invited him to Rockridge, knowing that many of you enjoy watching his interviews on YouTube. He agreed \u2013 there again, an example of that willingness to give back to one\u2019s community. Nardwuar imparted many words of wisdom to the students, including \u2018keep trying and never give up\u2019.\u00a0 But what I really enjoyed about this informal presentation, were the memories that Ms. Lehman shared about being in high school with Nardwuar, her charismatic class president.\u00a0 Here they were, thirty years later, laughing together about their experiences–from jello wrestling to math class woes.<\/p>\n

My point is, the people amongst you will be in and out of your lives for at least the next 50 years and you will have the bond of shared high school memories. Perhaps you don\u2019t really know now what memories will stick with you as you leave Rockridge, yet I can assure you that down the road you will encounter a former classmate and say, remember when\u2026? Those \u2018remember whens\u2019 will be special moments.<\/p>\n

As you launch into the next stage of your life\u2019s journey, I\u2019d like to give you three pieces of advice.
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My first piece of advice is simply to notice<\/strong>. In a world in which technology connects us, one in which \u2018selfie\u2019 has been recognized as a legitimate word in the Oxford Dictionary, please don\u2019t lose sight of the importance of paying attention to others. \u00a0Look outwards – around and beyond you and notice who is out there. When presented with the opportunity, don\u2019t hesitate to make an effort to reach out and offer your support. Small gestures of goodwill go a long way. \u00a0Rely on your heart to guide your actions. Sometimes it takes just one person to make a difference in another\u2019s life, and that one person could be you. Please notice<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Secondly, don\u2019t fear failure<\/strong>.\u00a0Try not to take the path of least resistance in order to avoid failure. It is tempting \u2013 I’ve done it; we\u2019ve all done it. It\u2019s easier to experience success by choosing the less daunting road, yet I encourage you to be risk-takers and challenge yourselves. By taking a more difficult route, you undoubtedly will encounter obstacles and setbacks where you will have to apply your critical and creative thinking skills to bring you closer to success. If you falter, you will learn humility and this will help you grow. Employers today seek resilient and adaptable employees, ones who can solve problems adeptly and handle the curve balls thrown their way.\u00a0 Former White House Chief of Staff and current Chicago Mayor Dr. Rahm Emanuel<\/a> once said to a class of graduates, \u201cYou will have failures in your life, but it is what you do during those valleys that will determine the heights of your peaks.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Please, don\u2019t fear failure<\/strong>.
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And finally, be optimistic<\/strong>. How often do you hear\u00a0people lamenting how the world has changed \u2013 how are young people going to manage in such unpredictable economic and political times? \u00a0It\u2019s easy to paint the present situation in our world with a negative brush and shake our heads in dismay. \u00a0I encourage you not to fall into that trap and get caught up in negativity. \u00a0Were the good\u00a0old days really all that great? Probably not, but I think people tend to glorify the past. I encourage you to embrace our changing world and have a positive outlook.<\/p>\n

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In education, we often refer to learning as\u00a0being a \u2018messy\u2019 business. It involves trial and error, patience and perseverance. Life may very well be \u2018messy\u2019 for you too. You may struggle, feel lost, doubt your pathway, and contemplate switching gears. That\u2019s OK. \u00a0Don\u2019t be discouraged; believe in yourself. Use your many gifts and talents to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities ahead and add to the greatness\u00a0already in our world. Please be optimistic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have encouraged you tonight to notice<\/strong>, to not fear failure<\/strong>, and to be optimistic<\/strong>. In closing, a quote by author Roy T. Bennett <\/a>resonated with me and I hope you will think about his words as you venture forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cAttitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.\u201d<\/em>
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As I was speaking about Nardwuar earlier, I thought it only fitting to end my words using the same trademark phrase that he uses to signal the end of his interviews. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Doot Doola Doot Doo \u2026Doot Doo!\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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