KING’ S STUDENTS
A Leader’ s Perspective
Thoughts from Head Boy Jasmeet Singh.
After four years, I am turning my last page here at King’ s College. It has already started as an exciting and challenging year for me in my role as Head Prefect, but with the support of the College, staff and students it will, I’ m sure, be a successful one.
2013 student leaders
My parents originated from the northern Punjab of India, but I was born just a few hundred metres down the road at Middlemore Hospital. One of three children, having a brother and a sister can sometimes come with challenges, especially if you’ re the youngest sibling, but being the baby of the family can work in your favour a lot of the time!
I started my schooling at St Thomas’ School in Kohimarama completing Years 1 to 4 there before I moved to Remuera Primary School to complete Years 5 and 6. From there I had two options. One was to go to Remuera Intermediate with my friends, which would probably have ended with me going to Auckland Grammar School from where my brother graduated. The other was to transition into King’ s Prep and a whole new community. Thankfully, I believe I chose the right
“ I believe extra-curricular activites are important in the upbringing of young teenagers as it builds them both mentally and physically.”
path and am now at King’ s College. The rivalry between my brother and me still goes on, peaking at the annual King’ s-Grammar First XV fixture!
Before I came to King’ s with my mates, we were the big fish in the little pond that was King’ s Prep. Then we became the small fish in the big ocean at King’ s College. Despite being an Indian I found that with the diverse community King’ s has, it was very easy for me to settle into the daily routines and positive atmosphere.
At King’ s, academics is always the first priority, a good basis for ensuring our future career path. Alongside this however, I believe extra-curricular activities are important in the upbringing of young teenagers as it builds them both mentally and physically. Over the years on the sporting field I have been involved in rowing, basketball, rugby and mixed martial arts. I have also always taken part in Community Service. The work that our Chaplains put into running this programme and the importance of giving back to the community cannot be underestimated.
Whilst participating in activities that are enjoyable is the primary focus, it is always a good thing to put yourself out of your comfort zone, so with this in mind I have decided to take part in Stage Challenge this year along with a few other productions, which involve dancing and acting( something which I cannot do- but I will try to do my best to participate!).
At King’ s we have a House system, which works very well and brings about the immense competitive House spirit, particularly at events such as swimming sports and athletics. The Houses are an important aspect in the lives of each student, they are really another home in which students assemble and interact every day. The girls play a major role in inter-House competitions as they are assigned to the nine boy Houses. The new girls have settled in very smoothly and are enjoying the wide window of opportunities presented. This House spirit is then easily converted to fostering school spirit, at which King’ s excels. You know that school spirit is strong when 800 King’ s boys are chanting in unison at the Grammar rugby match to the pulse of the Haka.
If, at the end of this my final year, I was to give some advice to remaining students, I would definitely say, enjoy every moment at King’ s because before you know it, the time comes to an end. You need to live life in the present and enjoy everyday as it comes. There are numerous amounts of diverse
activities presented to students in all areas of school education. Whether it be rest home visiting, taking part in school productions, playing sports or achieving academic excellence. Take part, become involved, challenge yourself and learn new things. King’ s gives the opportunity to ensure that each and every student receives an all-round education- the best that it is possible to obtain.
Jasmeet Singh( Year 13, Greenbank) Head Prefect
AUTUMN 2013 • KING’ S COURIER 11