So when I’m asked what it’s like to be a student at John McGlashan, my answer is simple. It’s a place where boys can be themselves. They connect. They commit. And most importantly, they strive to be the best.
Good evening, everyone.
Staff, students, and parents, thank you for being here tonight. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Charlie Falconer, and I am your Head Prefect for 2026.
Last week, I was told that I’d be speaking tonight about what it’s like to be a student here at John McGlashan. It would be very easy to stand up here and give you all the cliché answers. I could tell you that our students are friendly, polite, and always striving for excellence. Those things are true, but they only tell part of the story. As a student here, I thought, why not dive into the little things that others may not see on the surface?
First of all, it’s the people. When you walk around this school, you feel it. The boys want to have a yarn. The staff want to know what you have on for the afternoon. There’s an authentic sense of connection; a sense of belonging. You’re not just another number. You’re known. People notice when you're doing well, and they notice when you need some help. This creates an atmosphere where you feel supported, yet pushed to be better.
Furthermore, it’s the freedom the boys have. Not the freedom to do whatever they want, but the freedom to explore what interests them. This comes through the opportunities that they are given. It's in the classroom. It's on the sports field. It's in front of an audience. But what makes the difference isn’t just the opportunity itself — it’s the teachers, coaches, and mates who motivate you to give it a go. They expect something of you. And because of that, you start to expect more of yourself.
And lastly, it's the simple fact that the boys here want to do stuff. Last week I was lucky enough to head down to Te Anau with the year 9s. On many occasions, they had the option to give something a go. Whether it was diving into the freezing waters after a long bike ride, or having a bat in a not-so-friendly game of cricket, they always wanted to get involved. They didn’t always feel comfortable. They didn’t always succeed. But they gave it a crack anyway, and that's what stood out to me.
So when I’m asked what it’s like to be a student at John McGlashan, my answer is simple. It’s a place where boys can be themselves. They connect. They commit. And most importantly, they strive to be the best.
And that’s something that I think is pretty special to be part of.
Thank you.
Open Event Registration - Interested in enrolling?
Employment opportunities - click if you're interested in working at McGlashan.