VAS Executive Chairman’s Speech at Year-End Ceremony 2015-2016
I vividly remember the memories of when I too was a student. I had a lot of passions in my youth. I played soccer very well and had a tendency towards the subjects of languages and math and I was extremely interested in business and economics. I loved art so I quite admired the girls and boys who could draw and sing so beautifully. Starting as a senior in high school, I shaped my dreams and commenced pursuing them to this day. And I am extremely grateful to my parents, teachers, as well as those who have supported and encouraged me in the first steps of the journey to pursue that dream.
Maturity is not based on our age but based on our experiences. At VAS, my colleagues and I have created a lot of beneficial activities in fields such as the arts, sports, writing, singing, dancing, acting, oratory competitions, camping and so on ... in order for the students to have as many enjoyable experiences as possible while in school and spending time with their friends. So I hope the students can experience and appreciate even the smallest things, because they bring knowledge, skills and practical life lessons that cannot be found in any textbooks. If it's a successful experience, you will have gained a good and worthwhile experience; vice versa, you will also learn valuable lessons for future successes.
I have a few words for the 5th Grade students. Today you have completed your Primary education – the first learning phase on the road of greater knowledge. Congratulations and I hope to to see you at the VAS Secondary School level. I believe this will be a new stage which is even more challenging yet at the same time, very exciting. As well as the teachers and along with the parents, I look forward to witnessing the development of your maturity day by day whilst at VAS.
I reserve the following words for our senior high school students, who are going to leave VAS to step up into a higher level of education, to study abroad or to follow whatever career paths they’ve chosen for themselves... Thank you for choosing VAS and helping to write chapters in our joint history and leave behind such beautiful memories for our school over these past years. Now you have your own wings to fly free, to be confident to explore the new horizons that await you. Wherever you go, whatever you do, I expect you to remember the values of a VAS student. You should share your dreams with your parents and friends and pursue your passions wherever they may take you. I believe that every individual here will do the best that you can through even the smallest contributions to your families and to your country.
Again, I offer my wholehearted congratulations to all of the students finishing this school year and for achieving such remarkable accomplishments! I also want to take this opportunity to thank the parents for sharing your children with us. As well as our teachers and staff for their dedication in educating our VAS students. Congratulations to all, the parents, teachers for successfully raising these great and wonderful children sitting with us here today.
Thank you for coming!
Marcel Van Miert
VAS Executive Chairman
