With only one more week to go before they head off to prepare for final exams, the academic year is coming to a close for our Year 13 leavers.
So, this morning, it was a significant and poignant moment for Dilworth as the 2024 Prefect Team gave their final assembly address. And what an inspiring address it was. Several of the team shared their journeys, insights, and reflections, talked about their own next steps and offered words of wisdom to younger students, leaving a lasting impression.
It was uplifting to hear about each person's interesting and exciting plans for next year and beyond. This showcased a wide range of choices and ambitions even within this small group of students: engineering, commerce, international rugby, tutoring at the Royal School of Dungannon, Law/Music, Landscape Gardening, and Commerce/Property.
The Prefect Team of 2024: Joshua Futi, Ezrah Eagle, Orlando Afeaki, Joshua Baker, George Hardie, Sonny Luong, Sam New, Mason Sands, Brendon Tse, Siosiua Vea and Link Zhu.
Let’s hear some snippets from some of our Year 13 Prefects.
Brendon Tse
“Each one of you has a talent; my advice is to lean on each other.”
“Josh (Futi) has been like an older brother to us all. He noticed if you weren’t ok – I am eternally grateful.”
Orlando Afeaki
“Hold God first in everything you do, whether it is going up, down or sideways. Do everything to the best of your ability, representing not only your school but your own values”.
Sonny Luong
“Give everything a try; take every opportunity. You don’t know what you will enjoy until you try”.
Link Zhu
“My time has been packed with opportunities. From singing in Vienna to toasting marshmallows. My Dilworth experience has been priceless”.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Keep it cool and breezy”.
Joshua Futi
“With culture and diversity, we can make change at the school. It is possible to make a change and stay true to your values.”
“When one of us is lifted, we are all lifted.”
“We are called to serve, to love and value others. Have a heart of service”.
Sam New
Sam is the leader of Dilworth’s tech team. He talked about the seamless work of the Tech Team—Oliver Voysey-Jensen, Leo Anderson, and James Collins—who together have supported over 40 events across the year—Chapel, Open Days, sports, assemblies—always “owning each effort and going above and beyond of what’s expected.”
Sam also wrote his take on the year through poetry, a fitting way to end the year for this wonderful team of prefects.
All in all some great advice and insight from a class act and genuine team—the Prefect Team of 2024.
Poem, by Sam New
The Service Culture shifted, rising high,
Engagement sparked as hearts reached for the sky.
From the Enviro Club’s daring start,
To reclaim a space—green growth their art.
At Ronald McDonald, I stood in awe,
Where service, in its purest form, I saw.
Transformation there, in young eyes' gleam,
This year we dared, we lived the dream.
The Tech Team, too, refined its stride,
Serving PE, English, and Culture—all side by side.
Streamlined, efficient, we’ve answered the call,
Supporting every corner, every hall.
No event too small, no task too wide,
We’ve been the tech force, standing with pride.
And then there’s Brew Brothers, caffeine and steam,
A venture launched—a perfect dream.
Watching it grow, cups raised high,
My own dependency, I won’t deny.
From students to teachers, the brews they pour,
Dilworth’s mornings changed forevermore.
As for me, my path is clear,
Next year’s vision draws ever near.
To Auckland’s halls, I will depart,
Commerce and Engineering—I’ll start.
In University Hall Towers, I’ll dwell,
A new journey awaits, stories to tell.
And to those who stand where I have stood,
Some final words, for your own good:
Persevere, Persevere, Persevere—hold tight,
Dilworth’s challenge will shape your flight.
Pressure sharpens, makes you strong,
In trials, you’ll find you’ve belonged all along.
And know this truth, here you’ll see,
Help can come from anyone, trust me.
You never know where help will come,
A brother beside, or anyone.
Teachers, tutors, kitchen staff too,
All here to guide and lift up you.
Trust in the Dilworth mission, trust in them,
And you, my friend, will flourish, then.