MC Magazine 2017 FINAL FULL

Head Girl's Report
Firstly, I give glory and
praise to the Heavenly
Father who has blessed
me beyond words.
It was four years ago, when I
walked through the front gates,
afraid, friendless and extremely
shy. Throughout my school years, I
doubted myself and my ability to
do things. There were always voices
that told me I would never make
anything of myself. I started to listen
to them and gave up.
My junior years were the trial years.
I was on daily report, I was stood
down for a week and had constant
visits to the Deans. I hated school.
I was only here to be around my
friends.
12 Mangere College - 2017
I did many things that today I wish I
never had. We all have a past; good
or bad. The ‘Me’ of my past and
present are two totally opposite
people. We cannot change our past
but we can change our future. In
life we always have a choice. We
can either choose to be someone
we are not, just to fit in with the
crowd or someone who sets goals
and aims to achieve them. I chose
to break free from the crowd and I
am proud to say that it was due to
nagging from teachers about my
potential that I now stand before
you as the Head Girl, 2017. An
accomplishment I never thought
would be mine.
My fellow students of Mangere
College, you do not need a title
beside your name to develop
leadership skills. The teachers,
staff, and families here see great
things in every individual at this
school. It’s about time that you see
it for yourself. Your mind is your
strongest tool. Self-doubt will get
you nowhere. If you have the right
state of mind and heart to make the
right choices, the course of actions
that will follow will take you far.
Silence the opposing voices and
use this to fuel your passion and
drive you. The staff at Mangere
College and my family
helped me to change. The
school has opened doors
for me that I will be forever
grateful for. The Mangere
College family culture that
values and embraces all
individuals is the school’s
strength.
There have been so many
who have helped me
throughout my journey
at Mangere College, who
have helped mould me
into the courageous and
fearless person I am today.
I acknowledge my subject
teachers who continued to
push me forward when at
times I would push back
because I was not ready to
settle and focus on NCEA.
My time at Mangere
College has come to an
end and so I would like
to honour some past
and present teachers.
One particular person
has watched me
grow from a little
tomboy caterpillar into a fearless
butterfly. She caught me when I
was falling. She always said go out
there and break a leg, and when
I actually broke my ankle she was
beside me. She taught me the
fundamental skills of Volleyball and
about teamwork but also how to
'A leader is
someone who
knows the way,
goes the way
and shows the
way.'
apply this to life in the community.
Nancy Palelei and Vai Palelei, I give
you both my deepest gratitude.
Volleyball provided a context I found
easy to fit in. Thank you for always
believing in me and making sure
that in every game I played to the
best of my abilities.
I also acknowledge Mr Patel, Ms
Bloomfield, Ms Clarke and Ms Smith.
Your collective words of wisdom
have encouraged me to be what
I am now. I am now thankful for
those many lectures. I appreciate
your belief in my leadership skills
that motivated me to run for Head
Girl. Your words meant a lot. It told
me that people had faith in me
which is something I will forever
cherish.
Thank you to all the teachers at this
school. Both staff and students have
played a huge part in my life. To my
friends who made me run when I
didn’t want to, thank you for staying
by my side. I am grateful to be
surrounded by people who motivate
me to better myself. To everyone in
this school, your hard work doesn’t
go unnoticed. Leaders don’t always
lead from the front and they aren’t
always confident all the time. A
leader is someone who knows the
way, goes the way and shows the
way. These leaders inspire others
to join them. Know your goal, work
through your goals, and stir others
to follow.
Seek The Heights!
- Akanesi Funaki