x
A friend sent me a Ted Talk to listen to recently and I wanted to share some of the insights from it. The talk is presented by psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth, from the University of Pennsylvania, who studies intangible concepts such as self-control and grit to determine how they might predict both academic and professional success.
Similarly, in order to develop our academic performance, we need to start analysing classroom performance and behavior too. There are so many small things that can be improved upon: all geared at developing a better end product. Aspects such as punctuality, homework, handing in of assignments, test performance, following through on promises, commitment and work ethic are just a few of the issues that might be examined in this analysis. Often the Graemians forget that they will not be measured on their sporting ability alone. There are important values that are learnt at school which help one succeed in the wider world.
Other than the ‘Don't smile till Easter’ cliche - the most famous phrase in education is probably: “Take care of the little things, and the big things will take care of themselves.” Of all the cliches attached to teaching - the ‘look after the little things’ has proven to last the test of time. Those, who are actively involved in education, will know exactly what this means, and it is even more prevalent to management within schools (or any organization). It is the Broken Windows Theory - don't leave the small things. By ‘fixing them’ we create a culture that changes the behavior of individuals within that environment. In its simplest form - if there is a broken window - fix it - dont leave it. If you start ‘leaving it’, you will eventually end up letting the slightly bigger more serious matters slide as well. The theory was popularized in the 1990s by New York City police commissioner and mayor, whose policing policies were influenced by the theory.
The phrase “Helicopter Parent” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s used to describe parents who overprotect their children from risk or failure, whether it’s physical or emotional.
In a Parenting website: Lane Kids the topic of letting-children-take-risks is discussed:https://www.lanekids.org/riskybusiness-benefits- I feel it is important to share some of the sentiments on this website with our parents.
I know why I want to share this message in our newsletter, which has been shared in social media circles recently. It is a message that we speak about so often - but I am also aware that a big part of our competitive nature at Graeme College is a crucial part of our culture. When is it important to be competitive, and where/ when are we overstepping that mark? At what stage does winning the contest become more important than the participation and the lessons learnt. We want our learners to be competitive and we want to teach them to never back down and always have pride in what they do… and have belief in themselves and in their school. It is such an important South African lesson to learn. However, there are boundaries that we need to stay within. We can't forget to respect the beauty of the sport and what it entails. When I read this - I knew that I needed to share it and ask people to reflect a bit:
After attending two rugby festivals this holiday, I felt it necessary to repeat a blurb that was published in a previous newsletter. It was written by Mr Keith Richardson, a past Headmaster of Wynberg Boys' High School. I believe it is well worth sharing every year.
School sport is not played for the benefit or the glory of the school or the egos of the coaches or the ambitions of the parents – it is played to benefit the players. Whatever the level of the schoolboy player, we want him to learn the lessons of sport, because they are lessons of life. In the end, these lessons could develop the confidence and self-esteem in a player and he will learn, as a young sportsman, that bitterness and sweetness are opposite sides of the same coin.
The recent few weeks have been chaotic to say the least; Founder’s Day, Rugby Day, Heritage Day… there is so much to reflect on. Reflections on where we started as a school, how we have progressed since then and where we are going in the future. Maybe the most important reflection is, ‘who are we as a school?’ Some schools are more complicated than others, while some seem to struggle with their identity in a modern world. Some seem to function as if it was 1980 and some have neglected to see the warning signs with regards to the ever-growing challenges in modern education. I cannot imagine that an ‘outsider’ will really understand the pressures, demands and challenges facing a school at the moment, and that’s where maybe some schools have just been too slow to respond. I have said this so many times before, Graeme College is in such a healthy, positive and exciting space. We know who we are, and we are incredibly proud of where we fit into the South African education system. I sat next to a guest at a recent fundraiser, where she simply could not understand how we do, what we do, with the financial limitations that we have. In a nutshell, that’s what makes this place so incredible, and it is why our learners are so proud, and why we get so much support from our community.
It is that time of the year where the sacred, hallowed turf of Somerset Field gets desecrated with four vertical metal poles and the carefully nurtured pitches get trampled by rugby boots. It is winter sports season again! One can already see the change in atmosphere around the school, as the winter season always brings any school closer together. The excitement that comes with Saturday derby fixtures is what binds a boys’ school together.
I first used this newsletter message in 2018, and felt like posting it again, after a conversation this morning. So please excuse the repetition, if it does seem a little familiar. I do think that the message is very important though - and I hope it can mean something significant to those who need to read it this week.
This week Graeme College celebrated its 149th birthday. What I find remarkable is that this small school has maintained its ethos and has, despite numerous challenges, upgraded its standards. The school remains close to the hearts of all the boys who study here and all the staff who teach here. Our duty is to remain steadfast and to ensure that this excellence is maintained, nurtured and grown. As a school, we endeavour to continue in this vein so that our young men, too, will one day be proud Old Graemians. I seldom meet an Old Graemian who is not incredibly proud of, and thankful to, his old school. Many old boys have, over recent years, contributed in different forms to their alma mater – contributions for which we are eternally grateful.