A very warm welcome back to all of you as well to the new staff and boys who join us today. A special word of welcome to OC, and former parent and president of MCOBA Mr Bruce Le Suer who will address you later. I trust that you all managed to have some sort of a break to relax and spend time with family and friends and that you are all looking forward to Term 4.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month and College is going green. You may have seen signs of this already. Today is World Mental Health Day and the theme for 2023 is “ Mental health is a universal human right.” More about this later in assembly when Ms Davies our school counsellor will address you.
May I take a moment to acknowledge and thank Mr Marwick who acted as headmaster in my absence so superbly and to the whole of EXCO for their support and efforts. It is sincerely appreciated
We commence the first part of this assembly with our Start of Term Dedication Service
The theme for this term is one of core values COMMITMENT: FINISH STRONG
From Scripture
“ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”- – Romans 12:2
A Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we tackle the demands of Term 4, we take comfort in knowing with your guidance and support our goals and aspirations can be realised by seeing things through to the end to the best of our ability. Amen
THEME: FINISH STRONG
“It’s not how you start that’s important, but how well you finish!” — Jim George (US author)
Be committed to finishing strong.
John Maxwell, well known author, speaker and pastor , recently commented that 91 million Americans make New Year’s Resolutions, but that 70 million Americans break those commitments within a week! Attending a health club appears to corroborate the statistics. During the first week of January, fitness centres are crowded. It is difficult to locate a parking spot, as all of the treadmills are occupied and people are waiting in line to use the exercise equipment. However, by the third week of January, you will be able to park in the closest location to the entrance and use any machine of your choosing. Between January 1 and January 21, what occurs? People display their unwillingness to finish what they started.
So what character traits are required to finish strong?
- Commitment
- Character
- Self-discipline
- Self-sacrifice
- Tenacity
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Emotion may drive us to make a decision, but character and self-discipline are what keeps us going when the journey becomes difficult. A person with character makes decisions based on principles, not on what is popular. He or she honors commitments rather than accommodating convenience. High-character, disciplined individuals work steadily regardless of their circumstances, creating their own momentum by virtue of a steady work ethic.
Self- Sacrifice
Being a finisher requires recurring sacrifices. A leader’s constant companion is sacrifice. As influential individuals, leaders must continually trade their freedom for greater responsibilities. The majority of individuals anticipate incurring costs in order to attain their objectives. Yet, many individuals appear to have a vague understanding of sacrifice, regarding it as something distant or remote. As a result, when achieving their objectives necessitates a significant sacrifice, individuals are confused and unwilling to sacrifice anything.
Focussing on the 6th form in particular, many of you will have already made a number of sacrifices during the course of 2023 and there will be more to come over the next 8 weeks . Ultimately, ff you want to end strongly, you’ll have to continue to do so and potentially sacrifice more than is comfortable.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
Tenacity
Pierre and Marie Curie had made 487 experiments to try to separate radium from pitchblende. Everyone had failed. Pierre Curie lamented, “It can’t be done; it can’t be done.” Perhaps in a hundred years, but never during our lifetimes. Madame Curie responded, “If it takes a century, it will be a shame, but I will not stop working for it as long as I live.” Madame Curie’s tenacity encouraged the scientists to make a second attempt and paved the way for new scientific discoveries. Tenacity entails quitting only when the task is complete, not when one is exhausted. The majority of our existence is spent in the trenches. To reach the finish line, tedious details, thankless duties, and thousands of loose ends must be resolved. The vast majority of individuals become exhausted, compromise for second-best, and give up before achieving their objectives. However, a select few persist, refusing to give up until they achieve their goals.
These qualities are key ingredients for anyone who wishes to finish strong.
As you enter the last term of 2023, I encourage you to make the most of the remaining time, finish 2023 on a high note, and commence 2024 with positive momentum.
Commitment
“ For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ – Jeremiah 29: 11
God never gives up on you and will guide you on this journey!
Pleased bow your heads as we pray a prayer for commitment, character, self-discipline, self- sacrifice and tenacity.
Dear Heavenly Father
When evil darkens our world, grant us light
When despair numbs our soul , grant us hope
When we stumble and fall, grant us strength
When doubts confront us, grant us unyielding faith
When nothing seems certain, grant us trust
When ideals fail, grant us vision
When we lose our way, be our guide that we may find peace in your presence and purpose in doing your will.
In your name we ask this
AMEN [adapted]
STAFF NEWS
It is my pleasure to welcome Mr Morne Morolong and his family who join us form Garsfontein. Mr Morolong will be teaching LO and Phys Ed and will be a mentor in Commons House and a duty master in Nathan House .
ESTATES UPDATE
- Ongoing extension and improvements to Hudson House commenced
- Renovation of Nathan House Common Room
- Superb refurbishment of two tennis courts
- Power installed to Goldstones amongst other things
We need to be grateful for the amazing facilities that we have at College.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Congratulations to the following 6th form boys who all have achieved various NEW academic awards during the Trial Exams.
| HONOURS | |||||
| EMBERTON Bryce | |||||
| MSIBI Sikuwe | |||||
| COLOURS AND SCARF | |||||
| KHUMALO Sinakhokonke | |||||
| MARAIS Kristan | |||||
| SCHUTTE Philip | |||||
| COLOURS | |||||
| ENDER Seth | |||||
| GOVENDER Zachary | |||||
| PRATT Thomas | |||||
| STEELE Keegan
ACADEMIC TIE |
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| AKERMAN Luke | |||||
| ALLEN Michael | |||||
| CURTIS Cameron | |||||
| LUTGE Bilal | |||||
| MBAMBO Aphiwe | |||||
| MQHATHU Luvuyo | |||||
| PITOUT Reece | |||||
| SITHEMBU Siviwe | |||||
| SWANEPOEL Liam | |||||
| THOMSON Brett | |||||
| TRUTER James | |||||
| ZUMA Amahle | |||||
| CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
The following boys have all excelled during the holidays. CRICKET JH Konigkramer [Snow] 6/14 against PBHS at the Michaelhouse U17 Cricket Festival
CYCLING CA Sellick [Lamond] 4th Junior KZN Interschools Series event #3 hosted by Maritzburg College GOLF J Truter selected for SA Schools’ Golf Team
SWIMMING R Lottering currently representing SA Team for the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Berlin and Greece in October 2023.
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HOLIDAY NEWS:
We had a wonderful 6th Form leavers dance at the end of term; thank you to all the staff, parents and senior prefects.
SPORT
A full report of the October holiday sporting activities and results can be found here. We wish all teams and their coaching staff all the best for the Term 4 fixtures
Former MCOBA president , parent and OC Mr Bruce le Seuer addressed the boys.
Academic focus from Day 1 for all classes
F6 – 3 more school days. Subject teachers will be following a remediation programme for the rest of the teaching time available which will include going over the Trial Examination paper as a minimum. If you are struggling in any areas please talk to your teacher in the first instance. Boys who have failed a subject should take advantage of attending additional lessons that are provided and address the concerns. It is not too late to make a difference, but YOU must take control of your own academic destiny now.
For F2 – F5 you have 14 days until your final examinations for the year commence. It is essential that you are also focussed 100% from today onwards on your academic endeavours and revisiting your goals. Your teachers are not going to accept second rate or shoddy work and effort so be prepared. It is quite simple take pride in your work and strive to do your best. They will assist you in getting there but it also ultimately also your responsibility. Prepare a revision programme which needs to start tonight and focus on subjects that require additional attention in more detail. Please set the bar higher as one of our goals for the year is a growth mindset. Do not settle for second rate effort or work.
Sport commitments –A reminder that you need to meet your sporting and cultural society responsibilities until the end of the programme. Those all start today.
Pro Aris et Focis
DR C LUMAN
Headmaster