25 June 2025

PRINCIPAL’S BLOG

25 June 2025
As we look back on a busy and successful term, it is important to once again step back and appreciate all that we have been blessed to experience. With all that is going on in the world right now, and the enormous hardships faced by so many people, it is so important to realise that we have so much to be grateful for. The world unfortunately often causes us to look at the glass as “half empty”, however, with a bit of honest introspection, effort, and objectivity, we quickly realise that in many cases our glass is indeed “half full”.
So let us be intentionally grateful for all that we have experienced, and all that we have in our lives. As a school, we have watched in wonder as our dream of a Performing Arts Centre has come into reality. From a distant and, at times, farfetched dream back in 2019, to standing in awe in front of the centre, this project is another reminder of how blessed we as a school are. The immense and significant contributions of so many generous and kind people have enabled this incredibly exciting new addition to the Clarries campus to stand as a testament to all that we have to be grateful for.
Let us not stop at being grateful for our beautiful new Performing Arts Centre. Let us dig deeper, and make gratitude part of who we (and our children) are. At the end of a 12-week term, let us be grateful for:
- The fact that every child has had in front of them a teacher who is devoted to, and passionate about, their growth in character and integrity, and their development as a well-rounded and responsible young person. A perfect teacher – no. For none of us are perfect. A real teacher who constantly goes the extra mile and makes extraordinary sacrifices for his or her pupils – absolutely.
- The fact that we are able to send our children to a well-functioning school, where there are so many opportunities for their potential to flourish. Not far from us live many children who do not have such a privileged opportunity. Further afield, many children (the same age as ours) wonder if they will have one meal a day, or a makeshift tent to sleep in at night, let alone daring to dream that one day they may get to attend school for a day.
- The fact that the vast majority of us are able to send lunch to school for our child. We are quick to moan about the “mission” to make school lunches, and I am often guilty of this. How I humbly hang my head in shame when I turn on the TV and realise how many children never have the luxury of 3 meals a day, let alone lunch at school.
- The fact that our children go to a school in an environment where people matter, where kindness and respect trump all academic, sporting and cultural successes, and where there is a strong desire from staff and parents to raise young South Africans who will make a true difference out in the world.
- The fact that we have so many wonderful parents involved in so many aspects of school life. By involvement I mean everything from making a Love Sandwich, offering a lift to an outing, braaing or serving at a derby day, being the smile behind the Tuckshop counter, covering a book, praying for our school, or answering a desperate parent in need on a class WhatsApp group. All of these kind acts Make A Difference, and none is more important than the other. Many schools do not have this kind of phenomenal parent involvement, and we are immensely grateful for it.
- The fact that our kids are resilient and do not give up. This past mid-year examination period was incredibly tough for so many of our pupils who were hit by this year’s flu virus. So many of them had to squeeze missed examinations into an already tight schedule, and a number put in great academic effort, despite their weak health. They had to show immense courage and determination to get over the finish line. And they did. Let us appreciate this effort.
- The fact that we get to step back, reflect, and unconditionally acknowledge all that we have in our lives. There is always something to be grateful for – no matter how big or small it may be. However, gratitude unfortunately does not always come naturally and we have to make a conscious effort to choose to be grateful. And we need to teach our children the same. Sometimes we need to change our perspective, and look at our personal situations a little differently. As Alphonse Karr said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we rejoice because thorns have roses.”
Norman Vincent Peale once said, “The more you practise the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for”. As we look back on the term, I encourage each one of us to intentionally practice such an art, for the benefits thereof are immeasurable.
