WHAT MAKES A GREAT SCHOOL?
Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Last week we spoke about the question about what makes a great school…undoubtably the pupils and staff of the school. Without us displaying the Hermie Magic every day, our school will never be great.
Nou hoe LYK hierdie Hermie Magic vir ‘n buitestander…hoe weet iemand of jy ‘n HERMIE is?
I always say, you have ONE chance to make a first impression.
So, die eerste keer wat so ‘n buitestander jou assossieer met die “Hermies brand”, is waneer hulle jou in jou Hermies skooldrag sien…en dit is waarop ek vandag will fokus. Ek onthou daar was so ‘n program of movie waar een van die superhero’s, waneer hy sy superman/batman suit aantrek, hy totaal en al getransformeer het in die persoon met super powers! hierdie bonatuurlike vermoëns.
So, wearing your school uniform, transforms you into this person, this ultimate AMBASADOR, with super powers! This uniform symbolises, amongst other things, pride, unity and discipline. When we wear OUR uniform, you visually represent the HERMIES values, reputation and identity to the community. What I like about it as well, is that it fosters a sense of belonging and accountability, as you become a living example of our school’s ethos and what we stand for.
Met hierdie agtergrond van dat jy ‘n lopende advertensie is vir die skool, wil ek so paar praktiese voorbeelde noem wat ons op moet fokus. Dit is nie net ‘n ding wat soms in die winter ‘n probleem is of self tydens ‘n ander seisoen nie. Ek is oortuig in my hart, dat van die gedrag wat afbreek doen aan ons skool se “brand” en die algemene boodskap wat ons uitstuur, gaan baie keer oor hoe cool ons probeer voorkom. Daar is ‘n rede hoekom ‘n graad 8 leerders nie van die begin af hulle blazer mag dra nie…want hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie. Hulle moet eers so bietjie touwys gemaak word. So hier volg ‘n paar voorbeelde van gedrag waarna daar gekyk moet word:
- Walking with our hands in our pockets – it’s NOT cool and us as HERMIES should remind each other to take our hands out of our pockets when we wear our school Uniform.
- Greeting other people – you don’t just greet your friends or people you know. At the very least you can just say: “Morning Sir” or “Morning Ma’am”. It’s a way of displaying respect to somebody moving into your space…and if it is somebody, a visitor, arriving at school, who looks lost or needs help, you can also add: “Can I help you Sir” or “Can I help you Ma’am”.
- Standing up when somebody passes you…and you do that everytime they walk past you. If you end up looking like a jumping jack up and down, that is what you do, because as a HERMIE, that is how we display respect!
- The Language we use. There is NO scenario that will ever justify swearing or just language that breaks other people down. That is not how we as HERMIES display respect in our day-to-day existence.
- Chewing gum – we have too many pupils chewing gum while wearing their school uniform. It reveals and creates an attitude of disrespect. Please stop chewing gum while wearing your school uniform.
- Our appearance – We still have pupils walking around during, but mostly after school, with earphones in their ears – It doesn’t look good. The moment you put your uniform on, earphones in the ears are not an option. The most obvious reasons are: (1) You can’t hear anybody when they are talking to you…so you can’t assist them if they need help (2) It is not safe, because you can’t hear a car or any other danger approaching you and (3) it doesn’t look neat with your uniform.
- Walking and texting – when you are on your phone after school, don’t walk and text. Stop, read or send…and then move on.
- Last one I would like to mention is saying Thank you and Please. “Thank you, Ma’am,” or “Thank you Sir” should be part of your “auto pilot” settings.
So kom ons fokus daarop dat waneer ons die HERMIES skooldrag aantrek, ons in hierdie “superhero” verander wat die HERMIES waardes uitleef en goeie dade doen vir ander…net soos Efesiers 2:10 noem dat God reeds al hierdie goeie dade vir ons voorbery het…ons moet dit net doen…met ons dade maar ook in hoe ons onself gedra en optree.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege to be in this school and for allowing us to be ambassadors of this great school, but also of YOU and your kingdom…help us to lead by example in the way we carry ourselves as well as the way we treat the people around us…with dignity and respect.
Bless us during this last week at school, and help us to be committed and focussed in all we do.
AMEN
Mr MJ Smuts
PRINCIPAL