Principal’s Assembly Message 18 August 2025

Principal’s Assembly Message 18 August 2025

Last week it was: “IT’S COOL TO LOVE YOUR SCHOOL”

This week: I have a dream… or I had a dream…but now actually, I am living my dream.

What a weekend we had as a school…or even what a week we had!

• I have been overwhelmed by numerous emotions including joy, happiness, gratitude, pride, love and I have seen innovation, commitment, sacrifice, resilience and a relentless determination to NOT GIVE UP.
• I had the privilege to see bits and pieces of some matches and sometimes I could watch the whole match.
• I saw the Chess team who has lost 15-1 two years ago and by 1.5 points last year play against a team with two SA schools players and managing to get a draw.
• I have seen the U14A Boys Hockey team being 1-0 down at halftime and winning convincingly 3-1.
• I saw our 1^st Girls Hockey team leading 1-0 till literally the last shot conceding a goal in the last second to draw 1-1.
• I saw the 1^st Boys Hockey team having to settle for a 2-2 draw after a few interesting calls.
• I saw the U16A Netball team making a comeback with about 2 minutes to go and eventually sinking the winning goal in the last seconds to win 22-21.
• I saw the 1^st Netball team seeing their lead reduced to 1 point with 4 minutes to go and finishing off their opposition 20-14.
• I saw our 1^st Rugby team being subjected to TikTok videos about beating us…and then I think we all saw our 1^st Rugby team pitching up and physically dominating the opposition, dominating every collision and staying in the fight literally till the last-minute still trailing by only 2 points in a ding-dong battle and the heartbreak of the final whistle.
• I have seen many tears of Grade 12’s who have come to the end of a 12-year journey of Winter sport for their school and never going to be part of an Inter Schools Derby again.
• And we have seen a few hundred Hermies who have signed off on an amazing winter sport season.
• I have seen a school who was totally out muscled 3 years ago at our first Inter School vs Worcester Gym and 3 years later, winning the Inter Schools 11.5 / 3.5. That means we have taken 77% of the all the points on offer versus their 23%.

Noudat ek aan julle genoem het wat ek geobserveer het, kom ons hoor gou wat sê die Bybel.

Hebreërs 12:1 – “Met so ‘n magtige skare toeskouers rondom ons, om ons in die wedloop van die geloof dop te hou – kom ons stroop alles af wat ons spoed kan vertraag, veral die sonde wat so maklik ‘n houvas op ‘n mens kry. Kom ons hardloop met volharding op die baan wat voor ons uitgestrek lê.”

Now, I have a dream of a school that will be competitive in ALL we do! Academics, Sport, Culture and serving with pride and gratitude as part of the Service pillar.

I have a dream of a school who lives out their timeless values…those who are represented by the acronym HERMIES

HULPVAARDIGHEID

ETIEK

RESPEK

MOTIVERING

INTEGRITEIT

EMPATIE

SELFDISSIPLINE

I have a dream…van HERMIES met superpowers.

• Nie hande in die sakke nie
• Nie kougom kou nie
• Groet en staan op as mense verby jou beweeg
• Lyk netjies
• Geen oorfone in die ore nie
• Aanvaarbare en opbouende Taal wat ons gebruik
• No Walking and texting

So the question is, how close are we to this dream of mine…and don’t forget, a dream is just another word for a vision.

So, are we there yet?…definitely NOT. Are we getting closer, DEFINITELY yes! Thank you for being BETTER every day, being BETTER every year…and I am not talking about achievements or results…I am talking about your becoming a better version of yourself, displaying the HERMIES values, displaying the SUPER POWERS as discussed.

I saw two schools over this weekend of which one I am very proud to be associated with…and I am not JUST talking about the pupils, STAFF as well. So let’s keep on chasing this dream!…because one of these day’s we will be able to say that we are living in a “dream world” and be very proud of it!

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for the privilege and opportunity to be part of this amazing school…the people IN it, including the boys, girls and staff, as well as the facilities and opportunities that we have at this school. Help us to chase this dream of doing and being good to everybody, being competitive in all we do, to display and live our HEMIES values and SUPER POWERS on a daily basis. Thank you for loving us.

AMEN