In a robust address to the boys, Mr Marwick started off by welcoming them back to school and encouraging them for their upcoming matches against Affies:
“I know that many of you will already be focused on the sporting matches that are coming our way, starting with Affies on the weekend. That’s good. It’s important that we are at our very best, when we take on this very, very competitive school from Pretoria. We want you boys to be focused on representing the red-black-white, whether you are taking part in the cultural exchange on the Friday evening or wearing the school colours in the hockey and rugby matches on the Saturday; or in fact if you are simply hosting a couple of Affies boys or cheering on our men on Pape’s and from Basher Ridge. In short, it is vital that you forget very quickly the long and lazy days of the holidays and get back into College mode.”
He then spoke to the boys about their conduct and behaviour:
“It’s the small things . . . that differentiate this great school, the oldest and proudest boys’ school in KZN, from the many other schools in this town and in this province. We do the small things right – all of the time. We dress properly and we act properly, and we are mindful that we are part of a school that has expectations of us and demands certain conduct from us. So, as we start the new term after many weeks of exams and after a long holiday, it’s important that you boys get with the programme, very quickly. We are not a school that tolerates slovenly dress, a messy appearance, and poor conduct.”
He exhorted the boys to follow the guidelines provided in Maritzburg College’s #CollegeCulture document:
“This great school of ours has its own way of moulding its young men, but that process is very clearly outlined in a document that is listed on our website for all to read; a document that was discussed, and drafted and settled nearly three years ago. It talks about all the good things about College that I know stirs the emotions of young men – matters like courage, honour and loyalty – but it also talks about integrity, and service and kindness. If Maritzburg College was only about courage, honour and loyalty, it wouldn’t be much different from a gang, or a crime family. It’s a lot more than being tough and manly, to be a College boy. This school is proud to be a place for everyone – whatever you look like and whatever you’re interested in. . . What makes a true College boy – one that we all can be proud of, and one who takes his place at the front rank in this society – are all the noble virtues that all of you must always strive to attain all of the time.”
He then referred pointedly to a number of instances of poor judgment from College boys that he had observed in the last few weeks of the 2nd term, but ended off as follows:
“We want upstanding blokes [at this school] who know the difference between right and wrong, and who are determined to bring honour to themselves, their families and this school. So, yes, be courageous and bold when the times requires it this weekend, but also live out those other less prominent virtues that this school also demands of you.
Ask yourself –
- Am I willing to serve my school and my fellow man, and put the interests of others before my own?
- Do I value and respect the role of women in society?
- Am I going to be a passenger in life, comfortably sailing along, or am I going to cut my own path and make a positive contribution to those around me?
- Am I willing to win gracefully and lose graciously?
- And do I look out for all College boys – all my brothers in this great brotherhood – big and small, young and old – and do I offer the best example to those around me of what it means to be a son of the Red-Black-White?”