７月７日（土）創立４０周年記念感謝礼拝が行われました。
その中で、本校の理事であり卒業生でもある須藤達哉さんから頂いたご祝辞をご紹介致します。
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祝辞
理事兼卒業生代表 8期生 須藤達哉（欧州三井住友海上英国支店長）
Thank you very much for your introduction.
My name is Tatsuya Sudo. I am a graduate of this School. I am also one of the School’s Trustees representing all the graduates who now live in the UK. I have been kindly asked by the Headmaster, Mr. Munechika, to make a short speech in English during Rikkyo’s 40th anniversary celebration.
When I first joined Rikkyo, this School had just celebrated its 10th anniversary. At that time I gave no thought to what this School might look like 30 years later, and absolutely no idea that I would be standing here saying a few words at its celebration.
It was back in April 1983 when my father drove me to this lovely School for the first time. We had moved from Tokyo to London that year due to my father’s new assignment. I was 15 years old and I wore the exact same uniform you are all wearing today. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon with bright sunshine; a perfect day to go for a drive. However, the purpose of this drive was not for sightseeing but taking me to a boarding school called Rikkyo. As we covered many miles down the A281, I saw the sheep, horses and cows in the lovely peaceful countryside. But I remember
also having a concern; “What kind of school exists in such a peaceful place?”
First impressions were not good. That first evening at Rikkyo, the dinner served to each pupil was a bowl of soup, 2 slices of ham with lettuce, a bag of potato crisps, followed by one green apple for dessert. For 15 years old boy that was still growing, it was obviously not enough to satisfy my hunger and I remember I was starving all night. The dormitory was not a private room as I had hoped; it was populated by 12 pupils. The time you sleep and the time you wake up was dictated by the school. Was this the lifestyle that I would suffer for the next 3 years until graduation? On that first night I remember lying in my bed, hungry and with tears in my eyes, fearing that I would not last for a week before I called my parents to bring me back home.
Three years later, on the very last day at Rikkyo before graduation, I was crying again. However, this time I was crying because I had fallen in love with this School and did not wish to leave. Contrary to my first impression, the lifestyle at this School was a perfect fit for me.
During my three years at Rikkyo, I learnt how to work effectively in teams, how to integrate into the community, how to be a leader, and the importance of complying to rules. These are just a few of the skills I learned at this wonderful School, all of which contributed towards making me the person who I am now. And of course the friends I made here are still one of the most precious treasures I have earned in my life. Rikkyo has been a hugely positive influence to my life, for which I will be eternally grateful.
Of course it was my parents’ decision, not my own, to choose this exceptional school. My father, who drove me down the A281 all those years ago, is now 77 years old. He has retired and enjoys playing tennis every day. My mother sadly passed away 2 years ago at the age of 67. I do not recall having ever thanked them properly for making such a good decision about my education. Taking this opportunity I would like to say to my parents “Thank you so much. Your decision was absolutely right. You gave me the most precious educational experience I could ever have.”
So, to the current generation of students studying at Rikkyo, I would like to say this; “It is a privilege to spend your school life in such a wonderful environment.” Whilst you may not realize that now, I can assure you that when you’ve grown up and look back on your school days, you’ll agree to that statement. I urge you to treasure the experience of studying at Rikkyo, and try to enjoy yourselves during the special years you study here.
As a graduate and one of the Trustees of this school, I feel it is part of my responsibility to be an advocate for the School and inform other people about how wonderful this School is. I hope you will share the same feeling with me when you become graduates of Rikkyo.
My loving school Rikkyo, congratulations on your 40th anniversary. I am extremely proud of being a graduate of this school, and it is truly a great honour to be given this opportunity to congratulate you on this special anniversary.
Thank you very much!
