Start of Term 2
I trust that you all have managed to have a restful break and had the opportunity to relax and unwind with family and friends. Furthermore, that you and your parents have reflected on your achievements and academic progress for Term 1 and know where your focus needs to be for Term 2. Several of you sacrificed a significant portion of your holiday to attend various festivals around the country and overseas and I thank you and the staff who supported you for this.
THEME OF THE WEEK: TACKLING A NEW SEASON WITH VIGOUR
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:
“You can buy a man’s time; you buy his physical presence… but you cannot buy enthusiasm… you cannot buy loyalty… you cannot buy the devotion of hearts, minds or souls. You have to earn these.” – Clarence Foster
Our theme for the start of this term is that of tackling a new season with vigour. The last term/ season is in the past and you can leave it all behind you. You are stepping into a new season, a new term, and a new start, with positivity and zest: Look forward to your winter sports programme, Reunion, the school productions, other personal activities and events, and of course your MID YEAR exams which commence on Monday 20 May.
What is the significance of a new season, and what do we mean by changing seasons?
The 4 spiritual seasons of life
Season of winter – sadness, heartbreak, loneliness, sickness.
Season of spring – hope, new beginnings, opportunities.
Season of summer – signs of growth, need for protection, an abundance of distractions.
Season of fall – successes and achievements, failures.
What does God say about changing seasons?
Seasons are created and directed by God.
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” – Daniel 2:20-21.
James 1:17-19 tells us that: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
As you approach this new season in your life you may be facing a time of uncertainty, but you need not fear as God will always be with you to guide you. All you need to do is ask for his help.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
My prayer for you is that may the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and your mind and may you also find this beautiful place of rest in him.
A prayer for wisdom in life’s seasons
Dear Heavenly Father
As we navigate the various seasons of life, we seek Your wisdom to understand and comprehend each phase. Life brings many seasons – times of joy and sorrow, growth and stillness, challenge and ease. In every season, we strive to understand Your purpose and plan. Grant us the insight to identify what each season is teaching us and how we can align ourselves with Your divine will. Teach us to embrace each season, understanding that there is a time for everything under heaven. Help us to be patient in times of waiting, resilient in times of hardship, and humble in times of abundance. May we grow in wisdom and maturity as we experience the full spectrum of life’s seasons, knowing that You are always with us through them all.
In your name we pray, Amen
SPORT
College boys competed in several sporting festivals over the holidays, producing excellent results. Full details of these are here.
CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION:
The following boys all excelled during the holiday period.
KH Vogt for outstanding performance at the SA Canoeing Sprint Championships
J Worthmann for outstanding performance at the SA Canoeing Sprint Championships
KG Clarke for outstanding performance at the SA Canoeing Sprint Championships
IG Mosupye for earning 50 caps for the 1st XI Hockey Team
L Makhathini for scoring three tries against Lions XV for the 1st XV
THE TERM AHEAD…
Please ensure that you are at practice from today and give 100%. You need to be fully committed to your academics, sport and cultural activities and that you meet all the requirements for these.
I remind you of my challenge to you at the start of the year for 2024: One of your major aims for 2024 should be – Be Better than Before i.e. BTB – strive to be the best that you can be in all that you do.
I wish you all a very successful and enjoyable term 2.
Pro Aris et Focis
Dr C J Luman
Headmaster