Our Alphabet for Humanity word of the week has been ‘bravery’, which dove-tailed well with our value of Courage. There were many hands up in our Infants Assembly today with practical examples. A Lower 1st student gave the perfect example of starting in big school, a 2nd class student highlighted removing the training wheels when riding a bike, and our Head Boy chipped in with joining in a swimming race at our carnival that he wasn’t confident in. He ended up winning! These were just some examples from today. It was wonderful to see how brave many of our Lower 1st children were joining in and speaking in front of over 100 people. We can’t wait to see them …

As we continue to explore the Value of Courage this term, we bring our focus to finding the courage to finish the task we are doing and finish it well. In all subjects we look for the children to persist in ensuring that they go the extra mile or in many cases just that last inch to produce their highest quality and best work. We will be encouraging their persistence at school, and we encourage you to look for examples at home where they have perhaps completed a task to the best of their ability. A good opportunity for them to tidy their rooms, clean their shoes or perhaps just help out around the house! The job is almost …

Our current Value in focus is Respect. During this term we have explored respect in relation to giving full attention, being aware of the needs of others, and offering thanks. This week we explored community at our assemblies through one of our readings on the term ‘Ubuntu’. In the final weeks of this term, we shall address the benefits of acknowledging what someone does well; praising those that do something better than you. “We need other human beings in order to be human. We are made for togetherness, we are made for family, for fellowship, to exist in a tender network of interdependence.” Desmond Tutu on Ubuntu – No Future Without Forgiveness Julian Wilcock Headmaster …

Next week we will hold our annual Sanskrit recitation competition and finals. Sanskrit instruction, from Lower 1st to 6th Class, is one of the unique features of our curriculum, and has been an integral part of our school since it was founded. Our students benefit from learning this ancient classical language, which like Latin has influenced languages, literature and culture throughout history. The simple, clear grammar used in Sanskrit helps in the development of learning other languages, including English. The recitation of Sanskrit lends itself to a beauty of sound and structure that when combined with some of the universal themes of spiritual, emotional, physical and mental health, produce work of the highest standard. The recitation is also one …