Theme: COMMITMENT:
The theme at Monday’s assembly was ‘commitment’ – one of the school’s “precious” Core Values (to quote from the prayer by the acting prefect, Pepu).
While in his assembly address last week, Mr Marwick had had to speak in an animated manner about various issues like theft, littering and conduct, he was at this week’s assembly able to acknowledge that the “College animal” was, for the most part, a very committed one.
Here are extracts from his address to the boys:
- Commitment is the fountain that inspires you to reveal your potential, and to transform a promise into a reality. Without commitment, nothing happens.
- Here at College, you are part of a noble old institution that is preparing, equipping and moulding you in its unique manner for the challenges of adult life – as it has done for 22 000 Old Collegians before you, over 161 years.
- Believe in yourself. You have more abilities than you think to do, and never stop believing until you reach your goals. After five years at this school, taking in all the lessons that it has to offer, you will have the ability to do great and complicated things.
- Hopefully, your brain will be filled with knowledge, inspiration and ambition; your limbs with vigour and stamina; and your heart with courage and compassion.
- Life is full of challenges and hardships. Around almost every corner, you are bound to be faced with an issue, a situation, a problem, or a difficult choice.
- No matter where you are in your life – whether you are a lowly 2nd Former contemplating yet another prefects’ detention or an unprepared 6th Former, anxious about his LO exam today – the latest setback you might be facing is not the end.
- Challenges and problems will always arise – but so will new opportunities for growth and for getting your goals.
- Sometimes you will make mistakes and you will fail, but do not give up, learn from them, and take each mistake as an unscheduled opportunity for making your life better.
- Take heart and strength from the performances of your fellow College brothers, including over the past weekend.
- Be inspired by the examples set by so many Old Collegians from the past, and with determination cut your own path through life’s walkway of brambles, roses and sunflowers.
- Start with the basic tasks you face – like getting to school on time and being smartly dressed, being organised and doing your prep, and attending all your sports practices – and many bigger issues will begin to dissolve.
- Fuel your commitment every morning by being prepared and enthusiastic – and of course, NEVER GIVE UP
Mr MM Marwick
Senior Deputy Headmaster