Boishaaier 2021

Bo o ds k a p v an d i e s k o o l h o o f

Mnr D Swart Skoolhoof

Boodskap van die Skoolhoof

Nou ja, aan die einde van nog ’n uitdagende jaar dink ek onwillekeurig aan die lirieke van John Lennon in die lied “Happy Christmas”: So this is Christmas, and what have you done / Another year over and a new one just begun. As a personal resolution, I believe that the Good Lord puts things which sometimes seem problematic in one’s path to learn and grow stronger. And what I have learned, I’d like to share with you briefly: 1. Take nothing for granted: things happen over which one has no control, but the way these things are handled, is what defines one. Like Roy Bennett said: “It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down. All that matters is you get up one more time than you were knocked down.” 2. Be a fox, not a rhinoceros: the well-known Clem Sunter uses this comparison (foxes survive and, in fact, thrive because they can read and interpret their environment and adapt accordingly; rhinoceroses unfortunately

not so much, with devastating results) to illustrate that emotional intelligence and adaptability is key.

3. Shift happens: many people have lost jobs, livelihoods, even friends and family. However, your identity is not linked to what you have but to what you are. Therefore, look within yourself for strength. The Good Lord has endowed you with many qualities and abilities. 4. Gladly and thankfully accept help from your fellow man but never become dependent on them! 5. Companionship with others: I myself have seen what the Paarl Boys’ High brotherhood has done for the boys and how just seeing your mates again is a source of strength. This is one of the reasons why we decided to bring all the boys back simultaneously to school and developed the slogan: “As normal as possible as soon as possible”.

20 BOI SHAAI 153 YEARS