Thirty years ago, Jaspreet Sidhu sat where our Year 12 students sat just days ago, preparing to leave The Knox School and step into a future filled with possibility, uncertainty and more than a few questions.
Returning to TKS as a guest speaker at the 2026 Valedictory, the Class of 1996 graduate shared a message that resonated deeply with students, families and staff alike:
You do not need to have your whole life figured out.
Looking back on the three decades since she left school, Jaspreet reflected on a career journey that has taken her through nursing, forensic medicine, clinical research, healthcare leadership and public health, including leading significant projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But despite where that journey has led, she was quick to dispel the idea that success comes from having a perfectly mapped-out plan.
“There was no grand master plan,” she told students.
“What there was, however, was curiosity, a willingness to have a go, and quite a few moments of thinking, ‘Well, I’ve never done that before … but how hard could it be?'”
For students preparing to take their next steps beyond TKS, her message was reassuring.
Some will leave school with a clear vision for their future. Others are still exploring what that future might look like. Both are perfectly okay.
“We place an extraordinary amount of pressure on young people to know exactly what they want to do with their lives. The truth is, many adults don’t have those answers either. And even when we think we do, life has a remarkable way of changing the path.” she said.
One of the most powerful themes of Jaspreet’s address was the idea that growth often comes before confidence, not the other way around.
“We often think confidence comes before action, that one day we’ll feel ready, and then we’ll take the leap. In reality, it’s often the other way around. You take the leap. You feel uncomfortable. You make mistakes. You learn. And somewhere along the way, confidence catches up.”
Encouraging students to embrace opportunities and remain open to new experiences, she challenged them not to rule themselves out before they’ve even begun.
“Apply for the role. Have the conversation. Put your hand up. Ask the question. Be willing to be a beginner.”
Just as importantly, she spoke candidly about setbacks and disappointment, reminding students that not every opportunity will go their way.
“Sometimes, despite your very best efforts, things won’t work out. A rejection doesn’t erase your abilities. A setback doesn’t diminish everything you’ve achieved. And someone else’s decision about you doesn’t determine your worth.”
For a generation stepping into an ever-changing world, her words offered an important reminder that a career, and a life, are shaped by far more than a single result, decision or moment.
Beyond achievement, however, Jaspreet encouraged students to think about the impact they have on the people around them.
Drawing on the Sikh principle of seva, meaning selfless service, she spoke about the importance of contribution, kindness and using your strengths to make life better for others.
“Success is about more than what you accomplish for yourself,” she said.
“It’s also about what you make possible for others.”
Her challenge to the graduating class was simple:
“Be a good human.”
It was perhaps the most memorable line of the evening and one that reflects the values that sit at the heart of a TKS education.
“Treat people with respect, regardless of their position or circumstances. Be generous with your knowledge. Celebrate other people’s successes. And when you find yourself in a position of influence, use it to open doors for others.”
As the Class of 2026 commences their final examinations and looks ahead to the opportunities beyond TKS, Jaspreet’s reflections offer a timely reminder that while exams are an important milestone, they are just one part of a much bigger journey.
Over their time at TKS, students have developed knowledge, skills and character that extend far beyond any assessment or result. The curiosity to keep learning, the courage to embrace new opportunities and the character to make a positive difference will continue to shape their futures long after their final exam has been completed.
Before concluding, she left students with five simple pieces of advice:
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- Stay curious.
- Be brave enough to try things you’re not yet good at.
- Don’t let setbacks define you.
- Be kind.
- And wherever life takes you, find a way to make a difference.
Thirty years after graduating from TKS herself, her final reflection captured the spirit of the evening perfectly:
“Life didn’t turn out quite as I expected. But it turned out to be a remarkable adventure nonetheless.”
