Theft
I Jikijo
8 April 2025 – Address to the school at assembly
Greetings to the headmaster, members of the governing body, staff and boys.
I stand before you today with a heavy heart to address a matter that strikes at the very core of our school’s values and ethos. It’s a topic that demands our attention and collective action – stealing.
Whenever an announcement is made about an item being missing and they request that it is returned when found, there is a very prevalent reaction. “ It’s gone” – that’s not how it should be though.
As members of this school, we are bound by a set of principles that guide our behaviour and shape our character. Honesty, Integrity Self- discipline and Respect being the 4 of six that are broken when you commit theft. These are not just words inscribed in our mission statement; they are the pillars upon which our school stands tall. However, the prevalence of stealing within our school has tarnished these values and threatens to erode the foundation upon which we have built our identity.
Whether you go into someone’s locker, school or lunch bag, find something in a quad in the school block, picking up a stray basher on Saturday fixtures, picked up a water bottle that was left unattended and keep it, ITS STILL STEALING.
We cannot afford to dismiss stealing as a minor infraction or a harmless prank. it’s imperative to recognize that stealing is not only a violation of our school’s principles but also a crime under the law. By engaging in theft, we not only betray the trust of our peers but also risk tarnishing our own reputations and potentially facing legal consequences that can have long-lasting repercussions. We must understand that our actions within these school walls extend beyond these confines; they reflect our character and integrity in the broader society. There are cameras around most of the school and where there aren’t that’s when your integrity should be preventing you from stealing.
We must acknowledge that addressing this issue requires more than just punitive measures or disciplinary actions. It demands a collective commitment to upholding our values, holding ourselves and each other accountable, and fostering a culture of honesty and integrity. It requires courage to speak up against wrongdoing, empathy to understand the root causes of such behavior, and determination to enact positive change.
As members of this school community, it is imperative upon each and every one of us to take a stand against stealing which includes when it’s your own friends doing it. Let us reaffirm our commitment to our core values, let us support and uplift one another, and let us work together to create a school environment where honesty, integrity, and respect reign supreme.
Thank you.