Theme for the week: BROTHERHOOD
Thought for the week: “When brothers unite, mountains move and challenges fade.”
When brothers collaborate and support each other, they can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and difficulties
Message
I have taught at this school since I left university many years ago, and through all the years that I have been here, the concept of “brotherhood” has been cherished by Maritzburg College boys. When we interview boys who are hoping to come to this school, we often ask why they want to come here. Their answers vary, but they almost always speak of the “brotherhood” that we are known for. Some of our school vehicles are branded with the phrase “brothers on board”, and we have all heard the quote by Caiden Lang, a former Head of Hudson House, “What is it within these walls that binds the hearts of men?”. It speaks to the strong and lasting connections that are forged within our school over 5 years, and which in many cases last a lifetime.
What exactly do we mean when we speak of this brotherhood?
It is more than just a word; it should be a genuine commitment to support, respect, and uplift one another. It is about forming bonds that go beyond the classroom and the sports field, creating a network of trust and mutual respect. In under three weeks’, time, thousands of Old Collegians from all over the world, will gather in person, or online to share in the Reunion Weekend. This is a special celebration of the unique brotherhood at this school.
Brotherhood means being there for each other. Whether it’s helping a friend, cheering on your teammates during a game, or offering a listening ear when someone is going through a tough time. It is these actions that build a band of brothers.
True brotherhood means respecting each other’s differences and valuing the unique qualities that each person brings to our school. It’s about making sure that no one feels left out or that they don’t belong.
Brotherhood also involves holding each other accountable. It means encouraging others to make good choices and helping them to stay on the right path. If you see a friend struggling, offer him guidance and support rather than ignoring or excluding him.
We have talked about many of the positive aspects of the “brotherhood”, however there are times, when this concept is misrepresented:
Brotherhood is not about ridiculing or putting others down because they do not think the same as you or because they are younger than you. True brotherhood is about including others and making everyone feel that they are welcome. Brotherhood should not pressure individuals to conform to certain behaviours or attitudes. It’s about recognising individuality and encouraging each person to be their true self.
While loyalty is important, it should not come at the expense of our own integrity. Brotherhood does not mean supporting your friends no matter what. It means having the courage to speak up when you see something wrong and helping your friends to make better choices. I am very aware of the pressures that some of you may face to conform to a group’s poor behaviour; disrespect or anything else that goes against our core values. However, you must learn to stand firm in your beliefs and make choices that you know are right.
As I end off this message, we must remember that our brotherhood is a powerful and positive force, but only when it is rooted in support, respect, and accountability. We must work hard, as so many generations of College boys have, to build a community where everyone feels valued, where we lift each other up and help each other to grow.
The strength of our brotherhood lies in our ability to embrace our differences and to stand together as one.
Pro Aris et Focis
Mrs J Finnie
DEPUTY HEADMASTER: ACADEMICS