ASSEMBLY – 2 May
Theme: WELLNESS
From Scripture:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” – Ephesians 4:29 [Peer support programme]
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 82:4 [Peer support programme; College Brotherhood/Core Values/Credo]
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself ” – Leviticus 19:18 [College Brotherhood/Core Values/Credo]
“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31 [College Brotherhood/Core Values /Credo ]
A Prayer for courage, wisdom, faith and love
Lord, grant us
Courage to do what is right
When doing wrong or nothing at all would be easier.
Wisdom to say the right thing at the right time
Because words have the power to help or to hurt.
Faith in the goodness of humankind
Because living in doubt and fear is not living as you meant it to be.
And most important, Love for one another,
The kind that gives without demanding,
Supports without holding too tightly,
And understands that we are, all of us, imperfect.
In the name of your son Jesus Christ we pray, AMEN
WELCOME NEW STAFF TERM 2
Ms Loryn Davies – College Counsellor joins us from private practice and previously employed at Hilton College.
Ms Shanine Parmanand joins College as an educator of Business Studies/EMS in a locum position for Mrs Elder while she is on maternity leave.
Mrs Leola Padayachee joins the SAN as a registered nurse with many years of experience.
Mr Lemuel Kistasamy joins us from Wartburg Kirchdorf School as an IT intern.
We wish them a long and happy association with the school.
The theme for this week’s character education programme is wellness following on form the two surveys you recently completed; one on bullying and one on wellness, as well as on the address from Mr Sparrow with regards to treating one another, and girls and women, with respect.
QUOTE: “Bullying is not a reflection of the victim’s character, but rather a sign of the bully’s lack of character”
BEHAVIOUR FOCUS: WELLNESS – BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER
You are all currently on a “Good Man Journey’ at College “ and we continually guide you on aspects of being a good man. In mentor classes we also focus on those qualities that make a real man – a bully is NOT a real man.
What is a definition of bullying?
- Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.
- Bullying can involve humiliation, domination, intimidation, victimisation and all forms of harassment including that based on sex, race, disability, homosexuality or transgender.
- Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved including bystanders.
Where does it occur?
Bullying can happen anywhere: at school – in classroom, tuckshop area, quads, boarding houses, travelling to and from school, in sporting teams, on social media etc
What types of bullying behaviour are there?
- verbal e.g. name calling, teasing, abuse, putdowns, sarcasm, insults, threats
- physical e.g. hitting, punching, kicking, scratching, tripping, spitting
- social e.g. ignoring, excluding, ostracising, alienating, making inappropriate gestures
- psychological e.g. spreading rumours, dirty looks, hiding or damaging possessions, malicious SMS and email messages, inappropriate use of camera phones.
- cyberbullying refers to bullying through information and communication technologies e.g. comments on Facebook, social media
Bullying behaviour is not:
- Conflict or fights between equals and single incidents
- Boys not getting along well
- a situation of mutual conflict
- single episodes of nastiness or random acts of aggression or intimidation.
What to do if you are being bullied?
- Don’t keep silent about it – talk about it
- See your mentor, housemaster, school psychologist, coach – someone who you feel you can talk to use the confidential app
Towards the end of last term and last week we did a confidential bullying and wellness survey, It is essential that you do take these surveys seriously so that we can guide and support you along your journey particularly if there are problems.
BULLYING FEEDBACK
600 boys completed 48% (42% boarders 58% day boys
- 58% felt that bullying was a problem at College
- Yet only 17% had been bullied -down from 22% 2022
- Main form of bullying was verbal at 94% occurring mainly in the classroom [7%)
- Most incidents occurred during break time 48%
- 5% bullying was by text or WhatsApp
- 11% of boys bullied did not report their victimisation
- Reasons being: Worried about backlash; don’t want to be a ‘snitch’
- What can the school do about bullying: More teachers patrolling at break; harsher consequences; more cameras; more surveys
WELLNESS SURVEY FEEDBACK:
773 boys completed the survey 61% (48% Boarders and 52% day boys)
- 90% felt that they belonged at College
- 78% felt free to be themselves
- 72% could manage academic workload
- 95% enjoy participating in cocurricular activities
- 68% felt teachers and students care about each other
- 59% felt teachers were interested in them, their culture and family background
- 70% felt that teachers and students followed school values
- 74% felt teachers treated them fairly
- 88% felt that College provided access to supportive interventions when needed
- 63% felt that they could speak out if they had a problem
- 66% felt that College understood them
- 67% felt that action is taken when an issue was brought to College’s attention
Areas requiring additional attention:
- 59% felt teachers were interested in them, their culture and family background
- 51% felt that they had a say in what happens at school
- 47% felt that everyone knows and follows school rules
What are the main things that are causing stress at this time?
- 85% academic responsibility (631)
- 29% felt pressure from teachers (215)
- 26% felt pressure from parents (193)
ACTION:
Boys who have been identified as ‘bullies’ will be spoken to by their housemaster if they are first offenders and for those whose names have come up previously, their parents will be called in for a meeting. Any further repeat will result in suspension from school.
In most instances when the bullies are called in, they act very surprised as they don’t see themselves as being bullies.
Those who have been bullied and are having a tough time will be counselled by our College counsellor.
I must stress that this survey is a confidential one and we treat it very seriously as such and it is hoped that you also do.
The last thing that anyone would want, is for someone to do harm to themselves because they are being bullied and are desperately unhappy. My plea to all of you is to be tolerant, celebrate differences and treat others as you would wish them to treat you.
If there are boys who are having a tough time, please speak to someone. You are not being weak if you do so but in fact being very strong.
SPORT
In addition to the College rugby and soccer teams taking part in Wildeklawer, there was debating, cross country and canoeing on the go.
Full results are here.
SPORT AWARDS
Congratulations to the boys who have all met the criteria for sporting awards.
Full details here
MY FAIR LADY
Some of the talented cast of My Fair Lady gave a teaser performance of ‘Just You Wait from the show My Fair Lady starting 3 May in the OCC.
Pro Aris et Focis
CL Luman (Headmaster)