World Class and 21st Century School Systems and skills I am busy reading a book called “World Class” which is an analysis and discussion from one of the chief instigators of PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), the tests that many countries around the world do to measure themselves as education systems relative to each […]
17
Sep
Sep
Healing… Our brains are a bit like computer hard drives and storage discs. Everything we see, hear, experience and do is wired into our short-term or long-term memory. These memories stay there but some get reduced or lost over time while some remain fresh and vivid in our recollection all the time. It is interesting […]
07
Sep
Sep
Make it happen Earlier this week I happened to have a conversation with a Form V parent about how the time his son had left at Boys High was diminishing rapidly. There was a strange and sad regret in his voice as he said how much the school meant to his son and how both […]
03
Aug
Aug
Moderation I have opposing thoughts about the topic of today’s assembly. On the one hand, I enjoy the challenge of this particular activity and the skills it teaches. On the other I dislike some of the softer skills it doesn’t. Today I want to talk about gaming and computer gaming in particular. I am old […]
27
Jul
Jul
“The Guy in the Glass” Today’s assembly was inspired by two people – one who sent me a video of Mark Andrews’ (ex Springbok lock) talk to the rugby players at the opening of the Kearsney Festival of which we were a part and someone who asked me to look at a book titled “At […]
20
Jul
Jul
Strange qualities of the courageous leader You know by now that I believe there are leadership qualities in all of you. I do not believe leaders are born – I believe we all have potential to lead and to develop our unique style of leadership in different circumstances. If I am to make this assertion […]
25
May
May
Authenticity The inspiration for today’s assembly came from a Ted Talk I watched recently by a Scottish psychologist on authenticity and being yourself. If I had to ask you now for volunteers, how many of you would raise your hands? Not too many I think. If I were to go down the road to one […]
What do you want? What is your definition of a successful life? What do you want? What career do you want to go into and what does your future look like. Most of your future dreams may involve material things such as money, property, cars, holidays – if you are honest. Some of you want […]
23
Mar
Mar
Plant trees… Those of you that have been down to Brooks field in the past month may have noticed a difference in the stands. Behind the area where the spectators sit on the western side of the field are around ten trees that have been planted at the top level of the stands. They were […]
16
Mar
Mar
Equality and privilege Today’s assembly may cause some debate and indeed some disagreement amongst you and that is fine. As I have said often, part of my job is to get you to think critically, not to just accept something as right or wrong, black or white, but to critically analyse what you think and […]