THEME: ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
From Scripture:
As we approach the end of a busy term we need to give thanks to God because we are his creations and acknowledge that He is good as He creates and provides us with all things.
O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever. – Psalms 107:1
This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalms 118:24
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights. James 1:17
A Prayer:
Dear God thank you for all that you do for us and that we have the opportunity to learn and better ourselves. We realise how privileged we are and should not take things for granted, but be grateful for all that we do have. Amen
Quote:
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”– John F. Kennedy
Learning to be thankful and regularly expressing gratitude is an important part of being happy. Being thankful gives us an appreciation for what we have.
Let’s look closely at what we have to be grateful for being part of the Maritzburg College community:
- A College Governing Body, who puts the best interests of the staff and boys at the forefront.
- An Old Boys community, who through the Trust have given generously over the years to a significant number of buildings and resources that we now proudly display on our campus, such as solar heating.
- A very supportive and generous parent community, who by the mere fact that you are at this school, one of the best in the country, have put your education at the top of their list.
- A dedicated, passionate and committed teaching body who give freely of their time to enhance the learning and co-curricular experience striving to get the best out of you on a daily basis so that you can be the best that you can be.
- A much sought after campus, facilities, classrooms, resources.
- A largely committed body of boys who give of themselves to their College.
- A largely fit and healthy community who enjoy the benefits of three meals a day, water, electricity, a bed to sleep in and a roof over our heads.
When we feel down and sorry for ourselves, we need to remember that there are many people who are in far worse situations and predicaments than what we are in.
Even when you don’t feel like you have much to be thankful for, realize that there’s someone out there in this world of 6 billion people who would look at your life and trade places with you in a heartbeat.
At such a time it is an ideal opportunity to write our own gratitude list which reminds us of the ways in which we have been blessed:
- Today I am grateful that I have clothing, food, water and a roof over my head.
- Today I am grateful for my health and well-being.
- Today I am grateful for my family and friends.
- Today I am grateful to have the opportunity to be educated and better myself at an institution such as College.
- Today I am grateful to have God or a higher being in my life.
We need to adopt an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE daily!
Johannes Gaertner says “To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.”
One way to enact gratitude daily is to write down three things you are thankful for. Some days, you’ll have a lot to be thankful for, and three entries won’t feel like nearly enough. Other days, coming up with three items may be a struggle. All you might be able to show appreciation for is the fact that you are alive, or the breakfast you get to enjoy before you face a day of misery. Nonetheless, forcing yourself to come up with three items and expressing daily gratitude for the positive things in your life will make you a happier person.
“…it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.”– David Steindl-Rast
ACTION: Gentlemen let us all strive to adopt an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE from today by starting to thank people for what they do for you on a daily basis
Speech
Last week our focus was A Good Man, and A Naidoo in 5th form presented a speech on ‘Masculinity’ which can be found here.
Well done and thank you Naidoo for that informative speech.
5th form isiZulu Cultural Evening
A wonderful celebration of Zulu, Xhosa and Basutho culture took place in our Olivier Cultural Centre on Friday evening with storytelling, song, dance and of course gumboot dancing.
Ngiyabonga Kakhulu to the 5th form isiZulu class who led this special event guided by Baba Mhlongo and Messrs Ngcobo and Mkhwanazi.
Sport Results
Details of the weekend’s sport results can be found here.
Sport’s Awards
Congratulations to the following boys who have all reached the requirements of the awards:
Large White Badge
Cross Country
HJI Higgins [Lamond]
Soccer
T Madzimure [Calder]
SM Mncwabe [Nicholson]
Colours
Table Tennis
ET Naidoo [Forder]
Honours
Rugby
MI Chirengende [Commons]
Certificates of Recognition
Congratulations to the following boys who have alle excelled recently in a variety of activities
For an outstanding performance and being named South African J1 Enduro Champion
LJ Walker (Calder)
For an outstanding performance in the ROAG Series (Trail running and Mountain Biking)
LA Newlands (Snow)
Selection for the uMngungundlovu Tennis Tennis Team
Senior team – ET Naidoo (Forder)
U15 – SM Redlinghuys (Commons)
U15 – TS Royappen (Strachan)
For his selection for the U16 Polocrosse Team and receiving the MVP award in series against Zimbabwe
BJ Kent (Commons)
Cricket vs the HUB 1st XI
JW Van Zyl (Pape) – 154* runs
Cricket vs St Stithians 1st XI
JW Van Zyl (Pape) 179* runs
PDL Jacobs (Fuller) 112 runs
Cricket vs Hilton 1st Xl
B Brokensha (Fuller) 102* runs
Debating Participation Certificate DKMS SA Schools debating
M Karrim (Forder) – ranked 26th
RJ Froise (Pape) -ranked 36th
MH Moosa (Nicholson) ranked 16th
CM Raw (Nicholson) – ranked 25Th
Wishing you all a very good week.
Pro Aris et Focis
CL Luman (Headmaster)