“PUTTING DOWN”
At last week’s assembly, I spoke to the boys about how they sometimes treat each other, as well as talk to each other. For many reasons they do sometimes put each other down. In many cases this says more about the boy doing it and what his needs are – he might wish to “impress” his friends, feel a bit “powerful”, not be feeling so good about himself and, for some reason, thinks being nasty to someone else will make him somehow feel better; jealousy, a desire to exclude and many other reasons. Not too different to how adults sometimes act. But we all know it’s not okay and sometimes people do not care – it’s an “all about me and my friends” attitude.

None of us want our boys to grow up to be like this and school, as well as home, are places to learn about relationships, social dynamics, empathy and being and becoming the good adult man that is our aim for the children in our care.

I asked the boys to consider whether everything they do and say is designed to build others up or not. When they say something to another, does it reflect the values of the Mitre? Manners – Integrity – Togetherness – Respect – Empathy: the values and actions we aspire to see in our boys.

We all know it is a journey – of many years – and boys will make mistakes along the way and often have to learn the hard way.  Similarly, boys have to learn resilience, to stand up for themselves and learn to respond appropriately and not follow the example of the perpetrator. But no boy should have to endure constant negative comments and a targeted “put down” attitude. And, in the case of the latter, we do, when informed, deal with this behaviour very seriously and appropriately.

Please keep an ear out for this type of behaviour amongst the boys – they see so many poor examples of social interaction on social media, YouTube and the internet, where it is often “fashionable” to belittle or attack others, particularly where their opinions, successes and attitudes differ from that of the writer.

We will have a particular focus on this issue in many different ways over the next months and we will keep you informed. The boys enjoy singing this hymn, “Brother, Let Me Be Your Servant”, and the first two verses say it all.

Brother, let me be your servant,
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey,
We are brothers on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

All the best.

Van der Bijl House Grade 4 and 5 Outing

Time: 16h00 – 18h00
Venue: P3 (Parking Floor 3) Battery Park Entrance off Alfred or Dock Road Waterfront, Cape Town
Booking: Respond to email sent by House Directors and Online Booking at https://rollercade.activitar.com/services/11193

Bramley House Grade 6 Outing

Time: 17h00 to 19h00
Venue: Tekkerz Soccer Park (at Rhodes High School) 25 Montreal Avenue, Mowbray

Brooke House Grade 3 and 6 Mentorship Activity

Time: 17h30 to 19h30
Venue: Rossall Pavilion

FAL isiXhosa 2024 discussion - Grade 6 Parents

Time: 19h00 to 20h00
Venue: Jagger Hall
Further communication to follow from Karen Dallas

For the past five years, Bishops Grade 6s and 7s have had the honour of hosting an end-of-year celebration for VUSA children. This heartfelt initiative was started by parents and has been passed down year after year, becoming a cherished tradition.

Please save the date and click HERE for further information.