As the new year begins, those starting their high-school career stand at the threshold of a time of much change, new learning and adventure. And what an adventure it will be.
As the new year begins, those starting their high-school career stand at the threshold of a time of much change, new learning and adventure. And what an adventure it will be.
Grade 8 is a fantastic year. You will meet and make new friends; you will enjoy the incredible passion and enthusiasm of great moments of sport, culture and music.
You will experience the great outdoors and have opportunity to try all manner of new things. In discovering all of that, you will discover parts of yourself that are as yet dormant and undiscovered.
Life rewards those who grasp greedily at its opportunities, and high school is no exception. As headmaster, I start the year by reading through all of the preparatory school reports of boys entering St Andrew’s College.
When you put them all together it is like assembling a puzzle. Each piece unique, each piece falling into place to make a complete picture.
The class photo of the class of 2019. And just as each of us is absolutely unique, each with a special gift to offer, so the recipe for success is unique.
Some will excel on the sports field, some in class, at music, or at art, some will be boisterous company in the House that keeps the spirits high, some will be quiet support.
It matters not where your giftedness lies, it matters that you seek it and pursue it with passion. What matters is attitude, commitment, passion, perseverance, your willingness to learn, your willingness to contribute in whatever way you can, your humility. Every decision that you make is important.
Everything counts. Of course, it will not always be easy. We would not be trying hard enough if it were. Our school motto of Nec Aspera Terrent recognises that it is through confronting challenges that we grow. There will be many tests of your character and you will grow in strength inside with every success and every failure.
The more opportunities you take, the more you will grow. While there will be challenges, there will be successes, too. Many of them. And while there may be no outright secret to success, it is no secret that talent alone is not enough. The world is full of talented failures. Entitlement is not enough.
The world is full of those who were left much and squandered it away to nothing. In my experience, hard work and commitment is by far the biggest indicator of success.
True wisdom understands that ultimately nothing comes from nothing. Remember that you are part of God’s plan. Turn to Him often in times of triumph and need, happiness and sorrow.
For your uniqueness comes from God. You are God’s gift to the world, and your presence here is not by chance.
* Alan Thompson is the headmaster of St Andrew's College
