Rector's message - May 2016
The longer I live,
Attitude to me, is more important than the past, than education, than money,
than circumstances, and failures, than success
than what other people think, say, or do.
It is more important than appearance,
giftedness or skill.
It will make or break an organisation, a school, a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
We cannot change our past,
we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.
We cannot change the inevitable.
The only thing we can do
is play on the one string we have,
and that is our attitude.
I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me
and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you… (Charles R. Swindoll)
I like this piece – you might too. It came to my attention last year, when reading a chapter from a book by Old Boy, Colin Dick [1]. Essentially optimistic and exalting, Swindoll’s words touch on the ability we each have to affect our fate. It tells us that, with the right attitude, used in the right way, we can excel in the face of life’s challenges. It’s a message with familiar mooring in Timaru Boys’. We can heed it as we extend our POWER values in everyday relationships, and overcome barriers to achievement that may pop up, in and out of the school; this, for boys to grow to greater heights.
Four weeks into the term, a busy calendar of student, parent, and staff activities has unfurled. An important academic juncture has passed in Term 2 NCEA exams. Field trips, guest speakers, and learning from new digital means have occurred since we started, as well. The boys are again delving into the full breadth and depth of our Curriculum – with plenty of co-curricular commitment added to the mix in the Arts and Sport. Whatever the time, place, or pursuit, having the right attitude to react or respond well to what is happening or available, will continue to be an important ‘string’ for each boy to play.
Nick McIvor
Scientia Potestas Est
Mā te Mātauranga te Mana
[1] Dick Colin, From the Mountains to the Boardroom (Pridict.co.nz, Waikanae, 2013) p93.