Headmaster’s Weekly Comment: 14/09/12

Often, it’s not about becoming a new person, but becoming the person you were meant to be, and already are, but don t know how to be.
Heath L. Buckmaster

I rather like this quote on education.  Making a child – or anyone – into a “new person” is not only impossible, but it is also impertinent.  We can’t turn ourselves into someone else.  And if we are not able (and often are not willing) to do it to ourselves; it is therefore a bit rich to try to do it to someone else.

Life, I believe, is a “come as you are party”.  Children turn up with their own unique natures.  Education is not so much about teachers moulding children’s character; rather it is a matter of teachers (and parents) setting a living example of the virtues and values that are dear to their heart; and also providing to the children love, discipline and the finest food for their hearts and minds and spirits, such as Shakespeare, Sanskrit, Latin, Philosophy, Scripture and Mozart.

Having done this all we can do is cheer the children on as they use as much or as little of these influences, to build their own unique character.  This means the children can grow into the people they already are.  

Headmaster with 3rd class K on school camp, before they get down to the business of raftbuilding.