2020 College Captain Tara (pictured centre) delivered her first speech of the year at the Welcome Assembly. She encouraged the students to set goals that motivate them, focus on progress, not perfection, and to believe in themselves. Her words are below.

A new year, a new decade, new beginnings and a new 2020 Moreton Bay College legacy.

Good morning Mr Sloman, Mrs Stewart, Mrs Gleeson, members of the SLT, staff and rebel girls.

Welcome to the start of the school year, and a special welcome to our new students and staff members.

I trust you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and well-deserved holiday break spent connecting with, and giving back to, family and friends. Whether you travelled overseas, competed in sporting competitions, lazed at the beach, or got hooked on Netflix or a good reading book, I hope you all took the opportunity to rest and recharge for the busy year ahead.

With a new school year comes the excitement of new teachers, new seating locations, new timetables, and even new subjects. But this also comes with change and challenges. It is therefore important that you take the time to reflect on and have gratitude for the year that has been, looking at what went well for you and what goals you reached. What strategies worked or didn’t work? Consider the constructive feedback you received, and how you can strengthen, maintain or adapt your habits to keep learning and improve yourself this year.

It is the perfect opportunity to start the year with positivity, and goal setting is an essential process that I encourage all of you to undertake if you haven’t already done so. We will all have the opportunity to set academic goals for each subject early in the term, and to increase the likelihood of you achieving your aspirations, I suggest considering these golden rules.

Firstly, set goals that motivate you, ensuring they align with your strengths, personal values and passions, rather than what others around you may want you to achieve.

Secondly, set SMART goals. Ensure they are:

1. Specific- the goals should be clear and well-defined, providing sufficient direction.
2. Measurable- include a precise number or grade on your goals so that you can measure your degree of success. You may aim to achieve a B+ for English in Term 1, or perhaps an A- by the end of the year.
3. Attainable- ensure that your goals are within your personal reach. Although it is important to dream big, don’t make your goals so unrealistic that you set yourself up for disappointment. In saying that, ensure your goals challenge you and push you outside of your comfort zone, requiring hard work and dedication to achieve them.
4. Relevant- goals should be relevant to you, your personal values and the direction you want your future to take. This focuses your time and energy on what is important to you.
5. Time Bound- your goals must have a timeframe and definite finish mark to increase your sense of urgency in achieving them, enabling you to celebrate your success afterwards.

Thirdly, set your goals in writing. It is easy to have goals in our heads, but the physical act of writing them down makes them real and tangible and allows you to ‘tick’ them off as you achieve them. Also use affirmational, ‘doing’ words such as “will” instead of “would like to” or “try” to make them more motivational. Posting these in visible places; such as in your bedroom or on your desk, laptop, or bathroom mirror; ensures you are constantly taking notice and being reminded of your goals.

Finally, and probably the most important step in goal setting, is to be active in devising an action plan on how you endeavour to achieve your goals. Write down the smaller steps involved to help break down the large goal and provide it with clear direction. After all, failing to plan is planning to fail. Consistently working on your goals leads to the power of positive momentum.

It is also important to remember that each of your goals will be different to the person sitting next to you, but it is by embracing our differences that we thrive as a Bay community. With our 2020 senior legacy in mind, “Each Rebel heart, play your Pink part”, consider how you can contribute to the common goals of MBC. You may endeavour to join a new sports team, musical group or dance troupe; participate in a service opportunity; or have a voice by signing up to a co-curricular activity such as public speaking or debating. Whatever it may be, each of your unique goals that you action will help make a positive difference for yourself, our college and our community.  Being a change-maker is the foundation of our 2020 Senior legacy. So, my Senior cohort and I encourage each and every one of you rebel girls to play your pink part this year, in your individual way. Remember to set your goals with both your hearts and minds, and be positive, patient and persistent in working towards them. Progress, not perfection, is what is important.

Believe in You, because anything is possible.

We cannot wait to see what this year will bring.

Thank you.