Speech to new parents
Greetings and a very warm welcome to you all as new members of the Watershed College body and family.
We look forward to the uniqueness and talents both as individuals and as a group that you will all bring to this body, ultimately for the fulfillment of God’s purpose.
When I reflect on that purpose and its various dimensions, I come to the conclusion that it is fundamentally about building a good character based on the example of Jesus Christ and God’s word in Prov 22:1 which states: A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.
In terms of education, this is what the 21stC learner, educator, and parent must bring to the world and the likes of Watershed College, are the last bastions to nurture and harbor such an education.
As members of the Watershed College body, you have now entered into a triangular relationship that includes the parent, the child and the educator. In these different capacities, we are all responsible for contributing to this overall goal of producing a child of good character who will be able to hold their own in the world. Like all successful relationships, it has to be nurtured through time and effort and demands an equal contribution from all parties.
Our College motto is: Through hard work we prosper and that is our focus in all our activities and that is our expectation of a Watershed College student in any capacity and activity.
It is also important that we all appreciate the opportunity and privilege that being a member of this body represents. We are not a mission or a government school but rather a private, ATS School that offers an all-round education incorporating the four pillars of learning; spiritual, academic, cultural and sporting.
As educators, it is our mission to uncover your child’s intelligence, gifting and purpose within these four pillars. Therefore, in order to accomplish this, it is important that your children participate fully in all four areas and that you, as parents, fully support them in their endeavors by attending consultation days and fixtures as well as ensuring they are equipped to reach their full potential e.g A gifted batsman cannot reach his full potential without his own cricket bat.
However, as mentioned earlier, we are first and foremost, a family and like any good family, we have our responsibilities and roles to play within that family. We are not perfect either, as individuals or as a body, but we strive to be the best that we can be by loving one another, forgiving one another, extending grace and by maintaining its unity, whatever the cost.
It is understood that when you chose to become a member of this body, it is because you both subscribe to and appreciate its ethos and values and that is what you want for your child. These include discipline and respect for authority.
It is therefore, most important not to compromise these fundamental values by our attitude and conduct.
Here, I am referring especially to our management of social media where we need to be discerning. We are encouraged to use it in a positive and responsible manner and ensure that we air our issues and grievances through the correct channels to the relevant persons. In fact a face to face discussion is preferred where clarification is required. We also need to be discerning in which issues concern us and which don’t. We believe in being transparent and have an “open door policy” and if there is an issue you concerning your child, you will be advised.
May, I also request that when it comes to issues of sickness and discipline you do not entertain your child’s version of the matter until you have checked with the relevant authorities.
As a much-esteemed Head of infants (Grade 1 &2 once said “If you don’t believe all you hear about us, we won’t believe all we hear about you.”
Get the facts so you can make informed decisions.
Finally, as we undertake this progressive and adventurous journey together, let us all embrace, as quickly as possible, what it means to be part of the Watershed body, as a parent, student or educator so that we take full advantage of this God given opportunity, together, so as to reap what we sow, fruits of the spirit!
God bless .
