No Words

There are so many thoughts swirling around in my head this morning – so many and I’ve been struggling to articulate those ideas and give them shape. I have been staring at my laptop for fifteen minutes now, typing…deleting….typing again…but today, I just can’t seem to find the words.

Words.

I love words. I really do. Maybe that’s because I have parents who have a love for learning new things. I watched my father work his way up professionally, only because he loved to learn and loved to equip himself with knowledge and understanding. My mother is a voracious reader, works in a school and has always taught us how important literacy and education is and my brother recently took to blogging. They’re always reading, doing cross words and discussing new ideas.

Words, they comfort me…they remind me of home and family.

Words.

I’m surrounded by words. I’m a teacher, a blogger, I mark my students writing, discuss debate motions with my debaters, frame circulars and policies, read fiction and revel in the benefits of being an active member of the blogosphere. Words – creative, powerful, life-affirming words contribute to my daily achievements.

Words.

I listen to them interlaced in the haunting strains of the country music I listen to when I return home each evening. Deliciously chosen, so splendidly and economically used – but telling powerful stories of people, loss, love and life. Words, I read them in my Bible and in the books I have by my bedside – their messages shape me, mould me, teach me and make me who I am today.

Words. As much as I love them, sometimes they fail me, they wound me, they blur and make things unclear, vague and make the future foggy and uncertain.

What do I do when words just aren’t enough? What do I do when I can’t seem to express what I’m feeling inside? Sometimes my un-articulated words – those thoughts swirling in my head but failing to make their way to my lips carry such weighty effects that they make me feel ineffective and weak.

Like today.

 

Still No White Smoke…

Let me confess at the very beginning that since I’m not a Catholic I have not been as emotionally invested in the Papal election this year as are millions of people worldwide. But in spite of that minor difference, I understand completely what a historic and monumental moment this is for a major section of the Christian world.

The Church today stands at a precarious precipice and there’s no denying that these are difficult times. The last pope was supposed to help reconcile the church with the modern world. Seven years later there has been hardly any progress. Despite the generous amounts of criticism levelled against the church from various quarters, there are progressive voices within the Church today that are calling for an open and honest discussion of its future. These forward thinkers have reached out to other sections of the Christian community – the Protestants and the orthodox to take collective measures towards a more united community.

So, what kind of pope does the world need in a time such as this? What are some of the characteristics the new Pope should possess? Here’s how I see it. Whoever is chosen as Pope by those cardinals locked away inside the cavernous Sistine Chapel must have the ability to address the greatest issues that face us today. I won’t get into the details of these issues, but to sum them up they essentially deal with – justice, peace, free will, tolerance and acceptance. There is no doubt that at this crucial point in the world, millions will look to him to be a Pope who will get down to dealing with these pulsating issues that have been shaking the foundations of the Vatican for a while now.

The new Pope will have to be strong. I would personally love to see a younger Pope emerge from that exalted balcony after the white smoke has evaporated. I think the image of the wrinkled old father figures that have led in the past have ironically mirrored their weakness and inability to address public outcry and the avalanche of criticism and cynicism that comes from the global community in these technologically advanced times. Twitter, Facebook, social media, blogs, news channels, paparazzi – there’s criticism from all sides. The new pope must be strong enough to deal with all of that and then some. I’m not saying an older Pope can’t do this. But I hope he’s the kind of man who will embrace all of this calmly and with faith.

I’ve read many hypotheses, several blogs and have heard plenty of papal predictions on the tele, but something I feel very strongly about is that in spite of the fact that these are modern times that bring with it a host of new-age issues that an open-minded Pope will have to deal with, the world today needs a Pope who will be able to uphold and expound basic Biblical doctrines in spite of the frenzy that’s sure to go on all around him.

As long as the new Pope reads the signs of the times and leads the church with truth and sincerity, it will hardly matter if he is a conservative or a liberal. He should just be one who understands the hearts and minds of people and nations but will depend on Christ for his wisdom and guidance.

I don’t envy the scarlet clad cardinals locked away in that intimidating sanctuary. The eyes of the world are on them and Michelangelo’s fresco of The Last Judgment looms large. In a strange way their human presence seems to mingle with the images of the divine, hopefully that should help them make their tough choice after all, these are crucial moments and their decision will steer the future of an entire religious community. Now that’s what you call pressure!

Anyway that’s it, that’s all I’ve got….back to watching BBC’s ‘Smoke Cam’!

Guest Post by Sherwin Atkins

The Greatest of All

As I sat in church this morning, I was urged to pen down certain thoughts or rather my take on one of the most quoted scripture verses.

 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”

 

Known by heart by almost all Christians and others too, it is my understanding that the worth of this verse has been lost. So here is what I interpret this verse to mean.

In order to explain this I shall break it down into four parts entitled as THE GREATEST OF ALL.

1. “For God so loved the world” – This phrase depicts one thing and one thing only, and that is that there is no greater love in this world and God’s love. It is for this great love that God has maintained a relationship with us, His children. The Old and New Testament shouts out with several stories of God’s great love. Zephaniah 3:17 talks about how God is our savior and that it’s with His great love for us that He has kept his promises. We as Christians sometimes sadden the heart of God more often we realize. But His steadfast love is constant. The psalmist David even sings of the Lord’s great love and mercy in the 86^th psalm. This great love is the foundation of the covenant between man and God.
2. “That He gave his only begotten son” – This is the greatest selfless act that has ever been recorded in history. And it will remain so because it is the Greatest Sacrifice of all. For The Father to give up what was dearest to His heart (i.e. His son Jesus) to salvage the relationship between God and man is maintained as the greatest act of love.  It is in my opinion that Jesus died several times before He was crucified. He died to His own will in order to do the will of the Father. He died as being a lowly peasant and touching the hearts of many. He died as being a servant to others. We see in so many scriptures how God (in the form of His son Jesus) has acted so selfless. My favorite being the passage in Philippians 2:7-8 “but He made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
3. “That whosoever believes in Him will not perish”- This by far is the greatest promise of God. The New Testament screams out so loudly with the promises of God. The greatest one being that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can maintain a relationship with our heavenly Father. It is His deepest will to share such a bond with His children. And everything that He had ever done was to become our sole reason for happiness. He did this by ensuring us that those who believe in Christ can claim this great promise.
4. “But have everlasting life”- the latter two words depict the greatest reward in history. This is the only fruit that the promise of God bears, i.e. the gift of eternal and everlasting life with God our Father in Heaven. This reward will be bestowed upon us after the second coming of Christ.  The Gospel of Matthew includes several references to eternal life. But it is my understanding that ‘eternal life’ and the ‘kingdom of God’ are synonymous. The reason for this belief is that our final resting place will not be the earth, but in the kingdom of Heaven where we shall reap our reward of everlasting life and reign with our Lord of Lords.

My prime focus on this great scripture verse is that it contains four of the greatest truths.

• The Greatest Love.
• The Greatest Sacrifice.
• The Greatest Promise.
• The Greatest Reward.

Being part of the motions and just reciting this verse is not enough. It takes understanding first in order to believe what this verse implies. It is probably a verse which is centered in the heart of humanity and the entire world’s events.

However, it is these four great truths that ensure us a healthy and loving relationship with God our Father.

It is these four truths that will help us to please the heart of God.

It is these four great truths that will help us to fulfill our destiny and our very reason for existence.

The struggle alone passes, not the victory – Blaise Pascal

I woke up this morning and I was completely exhausted.  The thought of leaving the house and having to talk to people was overwhelming and I probably could have slept for another 4 hours just like I do on the weekends.  I’m just so tired. That being said, this is not going to be one of those posts about how tired I am and what I did to rejuvenate myself. I’m finally writing another blog post because there are things I need to say to myself and writing helps me articulate it better. I am tired, it’s a feeling I’ve been struggling with for a while now.

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I never explored any other options. It has been and will always be my passion. But nothing could have prepared me for what I’m presently experiencing. Teaching 21^st century children is probably the most difficult job in the world today and anybody who wants to argue against that can bring it on!

But I find that for some time now I’ve been struggling – struggling to find myself, to understand who I am as a teacher, what my role should be, where I see myself in the next few years and of course, struggling to come to terms with the education system as it exists today.

I’m struggling with the rapid rate with which things change. I’ve thought about slowing down; taking a sabbatical, maybe spending a few years studying some more – which my supervisor says is absolutely normal.  That’s not comforting. There’s just so much to learn, so much to do, so many deadlines to meet and in the middle of all that mayhem I wonder if I’m still being as effective in the lessons I teach and in the relationships I forge with the children.  When I go home every day I spend time thinking if I made the most of my day. Sometimes I’m happy with what I’ve achieved. Sometimes I wish I had done things differently. Sometimes I’m tired. Sometimes I’m angry. Mostly I struggle.

But as I sit here sipping on my coffee as it cools in the cavernous Starbucks mug I just bought, I look back at the teacher I used to be and the teacher I’ve become. I realize that no matter how much I grumble and how cynical I sometimes feel, the struggle has made me a better teacher. I know more. I understand more. And as I struggle, I grow more.

I’ve been teaching for a little over six years now, that’s nothing compared to the stalwarts I’m surrounded by and in this time I’ve realized I want to do so much more. I want to do so much more than I am presently doing. Not outside of education. Don’t get me wrong, I’m passionate about education – that won’t change. But I want to do something else, and at this point, I don’t know what that is. I want to do something for the kids I teach, for the kids I meet, for the kids I will meet in the future but from where I am today, I can’t see out too far into the horizon and I don’t know what the master’s plan for my life is.

But you know what? I’m ok with that ambiguity. I’m fine with not knowing. If teaching has taught me anything it is that you must always expect the unexpected – you never know what will happen next or who will ask a question that will leave you gaping. This calm reassurance is so beautifully new to me. A few years ago, the uncertainty would have shaken me. But there are two life-affirming facts that drive me and strengthen me ceaselessly. I was born to teach – I love children and I know that no matter how the world changes I will continue to strive to make a difference in as many lives as I possibly can. I’m in this for the long haul and I’m just getting started.

The second fact is simply this (and let me quote from one of my favourite hymns)

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I’m an idealistic teacher. I’m still young. I’m quite inexperienced. I still dream. I think too much. I question too much. I worry about how things will change and how my role will evolve. But beneath all of that is the calm reassurance that I know why I was chosen to do this. I understand that this is my calling and it will not be as easy as I may have thought it would be. But I’m ready – more ready today than I’ve ever been to take this journey. I may be tired. I do struggle, but I am happy and that’s all that really matters, isn’t it?

Anyway, my coffee is over, the laundry is done and at this point that’s all I know. And that’s good enough for me.

Good night everyone.

An Open Letter to Presdent Jacob Zuma

Bergvliet High Principal – Stephen Price

A  high school principal in Cape Town sends off his graduating class by reading to them from an open letter he wrote to the South African president Jacob Zuma. This is without a doubt – brilliant, gutsy and inspirational all rolled into one superbly crafted and brilliantly worded letter. The letter has gone viral since it was published in november 2012. Here is the text.

Dear President Zuma

It’s two years to the day when Gareth Cliff, a local media celebrity, wrote an open letter to you. It caused quite a stir at the time. And as I was thinking about what I was going to say to the Class of 2012 of my school, his letter came to mind. As I re-read it I realised it was about time for another one. Not quite as controversial perhaps but nevertheless another open letter borne out of my desire to see the 200 matrics that we’re about to send you, fulfil their dreams in a positive, dynamic South Africa.

My name is Stephen Price. I am the Principal of Bergvliet High School here in the Western Cape. Some would describe this school as a ‘former Model C school’… a description generally used to justify why other schools are underperforming. But that is another discussion.

You see, right now I am addressing close on 1000 teachers, parents and pupils at the Valedictory Service of the Class of 2012 of my school. It is a special occasion, full of excitement and expectation, of joy and sadness, of hope and trepidation, and it will be a day for them to remember. Their last official day of school. I’d like to tell you a little bit about them. But, before I do, consider this.

For the past 12 years or so every single person in this hall has been working towards this one goal. Their educators, their families and themselves. And in the past 5 years it has been our mission at Bergvliet High to develop in these young people, a revival of respect, a unity of purpose, a spirit of participation and more importantly, a sense of hope. Values we believe that will stand them in good stead in the ‘big wide world’ out there. Values that we should be seeing in the leaders of our country.

In Gareth’s letter he outlined various suggestions that he believed you needed to pay urgent attention to. Sadly you, and our Government, have not responded with anything resembling leadership and we have lurched from one crisis to another over the past 24 months. I believe that many of Gareth’s suggestions are still valid notwithstanding the crudity of his delivery at times. But I share his deep sense of frustration because, like him, I believe in the future of this country and our youth.

What follows is what my staff and I have taught our 200 matrics at Bergvliet High and I would venture you and our Government could do with a few lessons in this regard. Let me tell you what we have done.

A Revival of Respect – we have taught these youngsters about our shared heritage, about our country, about each other, about the value of treating others with respect, about being proud of who they are and about loyalty and integrity. But this is what we were up against from you and our Government, our elected leaders – continuing rampant corruption, fraud, self-enrichment, misuse of public funds, the appointment of family and supporters regardless of ability, the manipulation of the justice system by convicted criminals – Shaik, Selebi come to mind and finally the massacre at Marikana. You let us down at every turn. You did not care. You lacked leadership. But most importantly you have undermined everything we tried to teach our young charges. Our Government has not, under your leadership, develop a revival of respect. Well, we are sending you 200 young South Africans who know what respect is, who know the value of others, who are proud of where they come from, who are proud of this country and who are loyal, passionate and honest. My request to you is that you show them the respect they deserve. They might be young but they are citizens of this country and they will be our leaders one day. Take them but don’t mess them around. Provide them with opportunity – they will create the jobs you need – we taught them how. Respect them sir. I do.

A Unity of Purpose – my staff have taught our matrics to work together, to understand that each of them has a different and unique role to play in achieving the common goal, that without a vision people will perish, that if we all pull in different directions we will never achieve anything and that our strength is in the whole not the individual. Again you and our Government have let us down. We have watched in dismay as the unions, the factions within the Government, the personal agenda’s of our elected leaders and influential individuals, have dragged the people of this country further apart, ever deeper into a pit of despair and ever backward and away from the vision that we all bought into in 1994. Why did you do that? Is the Alliance more important than the future of our matrics? Is Mr Malema so important that he can do and say what he wants and, by doing so, undermines any unity of purpose? Is it all ‘just politics’? Is the culture of entitlement that prevails amongst our people and fostered by union, alliance and populist leaders, worth more than the value of hard work? Again we are sending you 200 young South Africans who know the value of hard work, of having a vision and working towards it and who understand that in order to achieve the vision they have to work side by side, shoulder to shoulder with each other. We are giving you 200 young South African eager to be a part of the solution. Please use every single one of them. I personally recommend them. They won’t let you down. They will work hard. I know.

A Spirit of Participation – my staff have worked above and beyond the call of duty to provide every opportunity for our children. Clubs, societies, community service, sport, art, music, drama, endurance, debating, quizzes, National Olympiads, culture, recycling, continuing education, incoming and outgoing tours, exposure to exchange students from Germany, USA, Reunion, Canada, Australia, China and the UK, refugees from French-speaking Africa and a myriad of extracurricular courses on project management, philosophy, engineering, design, music and art to name but a few. Every one of our students has had equal opportunity to be part of a vibrant 21st century South African school and the benefits have been incredible. Sportsmanship, empathy, understanding, comradeship, connection, health and wellness, competition, talent, strength, intellectual growth, stamina, love of learning, service to others, understanding the needs of others over self, leadership, courage, passion….I could go on and on.

But what example do you set? Instead of building up, you break down. Lack of school sport structures, bureaucratic interference in performing schools, constant changes to curriculum, lack of text books, lack of community infrastructure and your lip service to policy that outlines wonderful aims and objectives. We couldn’t wait for you to deliver. So we did it ourselves. Our parents got involved, paid their school fees, supported our teachers, gave them benefits that you should have provided and this allowed my staff to give more and more. Do I hear the hadedas shouting ‘former Model C school’ at this point? Probably….but that’s your fault I’m afraid. You’ve not done enough to raise the level of involvement in education. We witness the collapse of the Eastern Cape Education dept, Limpopo and instead of solutions we have officials avoiding accountability, scurrying for cover and making excuses.

But here’s a thought. We have just produced 200 hundred young South Africans that are not afraid of rolling up their sleeves and getting involved. We’ve taught then the value of participation. Put them into work programmes…. Helen might be able to help you in this regard…… into learnerships…. we have 6 trainee teachers permanently stationed at our school….. into sport and teaching, into apprenticeships, into corporate South Africa and I can guarantee you things will start to happen. But don’t delay as many of them are looking to opportunities across the ocean and we need them here, you need them here. Tell them you want them to stay. I would.

And finally Mr President -I’ve always wanted to say that – A Sense of Hope. Hope – not in the sense of wishful thinking, not simply in the sense of a positive attitude, of being optimistic without reason but rather hope in the sense of confident expectation based on a solid foundation. That’s what we’ve given our children at Bergvliet High. We’ve given them something to strive for, to look forward to, a vision, a better life for all….sound familiar? Why then does my DUX scholar, scoring over 90% in all her subjects, not get accepted into UCT or Stellenbosch for medicine? Why are her hopes being dashed? They should be knocking down the door to enrol her. Not your fault I hear you say….nothing to do with you. I’m sorry sir but it has everything to do with you.

Gareth Cliff said “India and China are churning out new, brilliant, qualified people at a rate that makes us look like losers. South Africa has a proud history of innovation, pioneering and genius. This is the only way we can advance our society and economy beyond merely coping.” She IS one of these people who Gareth is describing…..and, believe it or not, we have 199 more like her. We are giving them all to you. Give them HOPE…because my staff have nurtured, grown and developed this hope in our youngsters. Do everything in your power to make it happen. They are ready and waiting and keen as mustard. Stop focusing on Mangaung. We have 200 matrics that deserve your attention. And they deserve it now….not after Mangaung.

Thank you for reading this (I hope you do) and I quote Gareth again to end off.

“We know who we are now, we care about our future – and so should you.”

Kind regards

Stephen Price

Principal

Wise Words From Jimi Hendrix

Even though Jimi Hendrix is widely associated with the overuse of psychedelic drugs, he was quite the thinker wasn’t he? Or maybe the cannabis had something to do with it. I mean, all you have to do is Google ‘Jimi Hendrix Quotes’ and you’ll discover that he was quite an intellectual and some of his words continue to resonate long and loud just like the haunting tune of ‘Purple Haze’.

One quote that has been on my mind quite a lot lately is ‘Knowledge Speaks but Wisdom Listens ‘

While this can be interpreted by several people in several ways, I think the line speaks volumes to the plight of teachers in a world where they seem to be relentlessly racing against the clock. Taking the time to listen to others, whether they be students, parents, or colleagues, can make or break the effect you can have on a conversation and in that particular relationship.

In a school day that is governed by a dozen activities, hectic teaching periods, break time duties, substitution minutes, documentation, countless e-mails, irate parents and long term planning, it can often be very difficult for a teacher to consistently find the time to actually listen to his/her class and their ideas or spend time with someone who needs a friend or teacher to talk to.

I don’t mean that teachers today are ignoring their students and pushing ahead with the million things that deserve their attention, but I do mean that the really important stuff, like emotional support, or guidance and intervention in a personal issue – you know, things that really matter to students can often be negated into the background in a work day. I know there have been days when I’ve gone home at night and as I lay in bed in those minutes before sleep comes calling, I’ve realized that there was that one boy who tried to say something that seemed important or a colleague who looked like he/she needed to get something off their chest.

Wisdom will always tell us to listen. What we are told by people matters. It is these conversations that make our lessons all the more worthwhile and help to forge lasting relationships through the rapports that we build and the people we invest in.

Teachers have all kinds of subject knowledge, but it is through their commitment to really listening to the things that often go unsaid or need a gentle goading to be discussed that give them a sense of strength and purpose.

More often than not, wisdom can elude us. It is a challenge to execute control in a crazy class room and yet show that you care and you are willing to listen but, I’ve made this part of my teaching philosophy and cannot overemphasize the importance of Hendrix’s words.

Listen intently and wisdom will find you – comments that fall on deaf ears can often be the ones most in need of our attention. So don’t get caught up with the ‘hurly burly’ of all those lessons – take time to breathe, take time to slow down. Take time to listen.

Beachside Ruminations

At Jumeirah Beach

I love going to the beach. There’s something about the waves rolling in and the calmness of the beauty of God’s creation that inspires and moves me. I love the distinct smell of the water as it laps against the sandy shores. I love how the earthy colors of the strand contrasts with the azure splendor of the skies and the vast untamed expanses of water. Every time I go to the beach I’m inspired. I come away feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, grateful and blessed.

This afternoon I made an unplanned stop at the Jumeirah Beach. It was unusually quiet, not too crowded and looked extraordinarily breathtaking. This is such a lovely time of year in the U.A.E. We were there for two hours and as I sat there listening to Mat Redman’s music playing on my ipod, I watched that calm sea become increasingly rough and jagged. Before I knew it, the wind seemed to pick up speed, the waves began to roll in and soon that serene setting was transformed.

It reminded me of how quickly the unexpected storms of life can sneak up on us. One minute we are basking in the beautiful sun, soaking up the warmth, and then suddenly a storm rolls in. The dark clouds gather, the winds begin to whip in and the rain begins to pour.These storms of life come in many forms – physical, emotion and spiritual trials. They come in all sizes, big and small. Some are caused by decisions we make, others are because of decisions from those around us, and yet some are because we live on this earth, where trials are a given.

Each trial we face, each storm that pounds against us, has one thing in common. WE are the ones that decide how we face those storms. We are the ones that decide if we just sit out in the cold, huddled in a ball, weeping and wondering ‘why me?’. Or we can decide to face the storm head on, with the right equipment wrapped around us, determined not to let the storm get the better of you, searching for that break in the clouds.

And then there are times we need to take cover, find safe shelter. That shelter can be in the arms of loved ones or perhaps a listening ear of a close friend. I’m not the most religious person. I miss church sometimes. I forget to pray. I’m not an ideal Christian but I’m so grateful that when I do face my storms I turn to Christ for my protection. I’ve found over the last 28 years that when I trust in God during the storms in my life I also find in myself the greatest capacity to grow.

I look at the world and there are millions of examples of people having to deal with unexpected problems. You don’t send your child to school thinking someone’s going to shoot them dead in the next few hours. You don’t leave home for the Gurudwara with the thought that a deranged white supremacist will tear you away from your life. The kids I teach, the people I meet and those I work with – all of us face unexpected storms.

That’s just how life is.

For me, the key to surviving life’s storms – all the unexpected things that can toss me around is believing that in spite of the craziness around me, God is still in control. No matter how bad the unexpected storm, I know that I’ll get through it. I’ll move through it. Unexpected storms are painful and definitely not something we plan on dealing with, but we’ll get through it – just in different ways. Life keeps going. The question isn’t about whether or not the next storm is coming. It is coming. No doubt about it. The real question is this: will you let it break you or will you find a way to fight through it till the sun rays break through and the calm returns?