McKenzie House
April 2008
Term 2: Newsletter 19
House Prayers

“Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty – a beauty cold and austere, like that of a sculpture.”
Bertrand Russell

Dear McKenzie Family

The term has got off to a good start and it was great to see the boys back again. It is always pleasing to see how happy they are to return and to reacquaint with friends they have note seen for a while. No doubt they are just as excited about the prospect of work! I hope they will quickly settle back into the routine.

We had our first House Prayers on Thursday and I share some thoughts from myself and Andrew Giliam.

Kind Regards

Paul

P Guthrie

“I would like to share with you four events which I attended during the holidays and there is a link between them.

The Future – during this past weekend we held our New Boys’ Weekend for prospective pupils for 2009. Besides the great time had by the boys and parents who were here one of the aspects which struck me was that a weekend like this requires a big team effort. Yes, the Marketing Department may co-ordinate the event, but it requires, the energy, passion and enthusiasm of the entire staff and boys (the 1st XV rugby, 1st XI hockey and Olympic choir came back from holiday to assist) in order for the weekend to be a success. Many of you sitting here attended a similar weekend before you came to Hilton. While chatting to the Headmaster in the marquee at lunch time, a fiery blond lady approached us at pace. She had come over to let the Headmaster and I know how overwhelmed she was, at the presentations and welcome she had received so far that morning, and to sincerely thank us for the hospitality shown by the staff and boys. While saying this she had a tear in her eye!

The Present – I was privileged to attend the rugby and hockey festivals in Johannesburg during the Easter period. It was fantastic to see over 350 boys and Old boys attend the game on Saturday against St Stithians and there is no doubt the fantastic support on the sides of the field spurred our team to victory. They had taken the time to come along and enthusiastically and passionately support their school.

The recent Past – During the holidays, I attended a 1998 matric reunion function at the Fleur de Lys Club. There were old Hiltonians who came from as far as Australia, United States, United Kingdom and central Africa. This occasion was important enough for them to attend, which is fantastic. One of the young men from Australia, who is a qualified medical doctor, and who is studying further to become a surgeon, remarked to me that he owed Hilton a great deal for what he achieved so far in his career. The boys and staff, whom he had come into contact with while at Hilton, had made an enormous contribution to what he had achieved so far. He was most grateful for having attended such a fine school and for the values and strong foundation which he had received..

The distant Past – During the holiday, Sir Terence English who is an old Hiltonian (1946) living in the UK, visited the school. Myself and Mr McMillan took him and his wife on a tour of the school. Sir Terence was visiting South Africa as he was being awarded an honorary doctorate from Wits University. A pioneer of heart surgery, Terence English conducted England’s first successful heart transplant in 1979, served terms as President of The Royal College of Surgeons of England and of the British Medical Association, and finished his career as Master of St Catherine’s College, Cambridge. During our tour, Sir Terence spoke so fondly and passionately about his time at Hilton, at times with a tear in his eye.

My link between these stories is that on each occasion, the people involved were so enthusiastic and passionate about this great school. At times, we need to stand back and look at the wonderful opportunity which you have been given. Are you taking full advantage of it and making the most of what is on offer? Sitting here are some “Sir Terence’s”, certainly many boys who will gather for their 10 year reunion, and hopefully, many prospective parents who will send their boys to Hilton. On all of the above occasions, it was significant on how fondly they spoke of the staff, and the boys they had interacted with, while here. Cease the time you have at Hilton and make the most of it.”

Andrew Giliam

Good morning guys and welcome from my side. The second term is traditionally the term where the school really gets together and school spirit really takes off. The Form I’s will understand what I mean when we gather together on the Gilfillan stands on Saturday afternoon for our first fixture. It is very easy to fall into a one dimensional lifestyle when all of this is going on. It is very easy to think rugby, rugby, rugby or hockey, hockey, hockey all the time, and this is detrimental to yourself. Yes, enjoy your sport, but also enjoy all the other things Hilton has to offer. Your time here is so short and you cannot afford to waste one and a half terms every year. You must still focus hard on your academics, still focus hard on your cultural activities, and yes, still focus hard on your sport. Whatever your goals for the year were, keep them in mind this term – don’t lose sight of them.

It helps you not to lose sight of your goals when you sit down and think about how you are going to achieve them. It is very important to have a plan when achieving your goals. If you know you have a Mathematics test in two weeks, make sure you focus very hard in class and work very hard in the lead up to it. If you have a music item or a play like Grease coming up soon, make sure you concentrate very hard on what you need to do to perform well. It is all very well to have goals, but you must live them through.

Living in a house environment with so many people around you it is also important to consider setting friendship goals or people goals. If there is a person in your dorm who is battling to find friends and/or is homesick, draw near to him and befriend him and get him involved with group activities. This will make him feel better and will give you a sense of satisfaction. A house should be a place where everyone is happy to be themselves and is loved for it and valued for it. Let us start Term 2 to help everyone feel valued and important. Try and find your niche, your role within your friendship circles – why not make it a goal for the term – and then live it.

So guys, don’t disregard your work and other activities because winter sport season has arrived. Work hard, play hard and most importantly, work hard on your relationships and that will make this second term a great one.