The Dux of School is awarded to the Grade 10 student who has achieved the greatest academic success during the year. At the conclusion of our 2024 Presentation Evening, it was my pleasure to announce that the Dux of School for 2024 is one of our Peer Mentors, Hannah.

Hannah presented a beautiful and extremely moving speech which stressed her gratitude to her teachers, peers, parents and our school community and the tremendous sense of support which she has felt at Riverside High School.

I am delighted to include a transcript of Hannah’s powerful speech below.

Ms Jeanna Bolton
Principal

Good evening

It is such an honour to be standing before you today, my teachers, peers, friends and family, as the 2024 Dux of Riverside High School. I am so incredibly grateful to have this opportunity to speak with you tonight and I wish to offer my congratulations to all my peers who have also received an award.

I would like to begin by saying how appreciative I am of being presented this prestigious award. As I’m sure all of you sitting here would understand, having your efforts recognised is one of the most rewarding experiences. As a person who often underestimates their own abilities, having someone tell you that you truly deserve to be where you are, and take notice of all the effort that you put in, is one of the best feelings in the world. I hope the rest of you have experienced that tonight as well.

I am so grateful for everything that has led me to be standing here, and I think the most important factor is my own journey through Riverside High School. When I arrived here in Grade Seven, fresh from West Launceston Primary School, I wasn’t the same person I am today. I was less at home here, less social and less confident. In fact, in Grade 8, when I first sat in this audience, listening to the 2022 Dux deliver her speech, all I could think about was the fact that in two years, that could be me. That idea, and the thought of having to stand up in front of so many people and give a speech, freaked me out so much that I sat there panicking, trying to think of all the different ways I could make sure that it wasn’t me. Yet somehow, two years later, here I am. And yes, it is still terrifying. I’ve never done anything like this before. But I’m doing it anyway, and the confidence to do something even though it terrifies me is something that I have definitely gained throughout my time at Riverside High School.

These four years have taught me so much more than trigonometry or the steps of the cell cycle. Whilst such concepts are important, and I’m glad I learnt about them, I think it is the other lessons I’ve gained that will stay with me for life. Every opportunity that Riverside High School has given me has taught me something, whether it was better time management, or how to work together with new people. I have been extended outside of my comfort zone in so many ways, and this has brought with it many rewards.

One of the only opportunities I have not taken that this school so generously offered me is the chance to become a Prefect. It’s surprising really, because everything I had done all the way through my life would probably lead people to believe that becoming a Prefect was a goal of mine. I was a student leader in primary school, I have been a member of every Grade Council, and I was a Transition Mentor and even a chair monitor throughout Grade Nine. But ever since Grade Seven, I knew my goal was different. I wanted to be a Peer Mentor. I think that the Transition Program is one of the most important initiatives that our school implements. Having older students who you can ask for advice, rely on for support and even just talk to is so important for those just starting their journey at our school. As a Peer Mentor, I have learned a lot about what it takes to be both approachable and set a good example. This leads me to the fact that I think every one of my peers, whether they are a Prefect, Peer Mentor or neither has been a leader over their time at Riverside High School in their own way. However small their act of leadership, we are all just as important to this school’s community, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of this group of people. I am also truly grateful for all the lessons that I have learnt from my experiences in leadership. I think so many of these lessons closely align with our school’s Values, which are Responsibility, Courage, Growth, Respect and Connection, because so often for me, responsibility within a community is truly what has led me to grow and learn.

I haven’t learnt all this alone, however, and I would now like to take the time to sincerely thank everyone who has been with me on my journey, because every one of you has taught me so much.

To my friends, without whom this experience would have been so much less fun.  We share such a strong bond, and every moment I am with you I can’t help but feel so thankful that I have found such wonderful people to share my high school experience with. We have created so many memories which I will always treasure, and I want you to know how much I love and appreciate all of you. The multitude of lessons you have taught me, from how much easier it is to make a decision when you make a pros and cons list, to the fact that sometimes the experiences that are scary are the experiences that are the most rewarding.

To my teachers, who have helped me along every step of my journey and without you I would not be standing here today. It is your support and your belief in me that encourages me to reach for the stars, no matter what I’m doing. Your passion for what you teach is so inspiring, and I think so many things that I enjoy come from being taught them by someone who truly cares and wants to help me learn. Every teacher I have encountered over my life has taught me something more than what was in the curriculum, from how to be more confident in sharing my opinions, to the importance of extending myself and learning new concepts just for the fun of it. I appreciate the time and effort you invest in my learning and wellbeing so much, and every extra moment you take to help me understand something, or even just to ask about my weekend or the book I’m reading doesn’t go unnoticed.

And finally, to my mum and dad. You have always been my biggest supporters in everything I do and have inspired me in so many ways. Whether it is with schoolwork or life decisions, you are always the first people that I turn to for support or guidance. That’s why it was so hard to keep this speech a secret from you. There were so many times I almost asked for advice about phrasing or went to tell you about the great idea I had for a paragraph. None of this would have been possible for me if you hadn’t been there for every step of my journey, and I am forever grateful that you are here alongside me to celebrate my successes, share my laughter and never forget to ask me how my day was. You have both taught me so much that I couldn’t even begin to write it all down, but just know that the person I am today is entirely because of you. Thank you so much for being the best parents that I could ever ask for.

My journey of learning and growing doesn’t end as I finish my time at Riverside High School. I know that the person that I have become will continue to change and grow as I leave behind what has now become familiar and comfortable and embark on a new chapter. I don’t yet know where my life will take me, a feeling I know many of my peers can relate to. The problem isn’t that there is nothing I enjoy or want to do, it’s just that I want to do everything. I enjoy Maths and Drama and English and Art, and so many more learning areas that all the choice can leave me feeling paralysed. But hey, that’s ok. You don’t have to have it all figured out just yet. Like I said, I’m not done changing or growing, and I know that if I keep aspiring to be my best and putting in the effort, I will be successful. I know that this is also true for all of you, whether you have it all figured out or not.

There is one final lesson I have learnt this year, which I would like to share with you all. As Emily Dickinson once said, ‘Forever is composed of now’s’. So don’t wait for the perfect moment and start your journey to whatever your goals may be with a ‘now’.

I want to finish this speech by again congratulating all of you who have received awards here tonight. It is such an incredible honour to be standing here addressing so many of my amazing, talented and wonderful peers, who have come along with me on this journey, and whom I have learnt so much from. I know that you will all go on to do amazing things and I wish you all the best for your futures.

Thank you.