15 February
Hereworth Parents’ Association Family Picnic on Ritchie Field – A fine community event!
It was great to be able to meet with current and new parents at the HPA’s Family Picnic on Ritchie Field last Tuesday evening. Some had travelled considerable distances to attend – Wairoa, Taupo and Dannevirke. It was most pleasing to hear that your sons have settled in so well and embraced the start of the school year so easily, willingly and enthusiastically.
Thank you to Mrs Sharon Cullwick, the President of the HPA, and other members of the committee for their organisation of the evening. Thank you to all parents for your support. It was a wonderful occasion enjoyed by all.
Gratitude
This week I have had the pleasure of spending time with three Hereworth Old Boys – brothers Mr Bob Logan (1928 to 1932) and Mr Hamilton Logan (1935 to 1937), and Rev Jon Williams (1940 to 1944). It was very special to be able to spend time with Mr Bob Logan at his home near Napier on Monday afternoon, as he turned 100 on Wednesday.
As I listened to the journeys followed by each of these Hereworth men, I kept hearing how grateful they were for their time at this School. It made me reflect on the preciousness of life, the need to make the most of opportunities and the importance of being grateful for life’s experiences and blessings.
One of the things that stuck me on camp last week was the encouragement given by staff to the boys and by the boys to one another as they faced and conquered various challenges. That encouragement was in a number of forms. Sometimes it was a simple gesture from one boy to another – a high-five, a fist bump, a gentle pat on the back, or even just a smile of confirmation. On other occasions, it was the words of a teacher, a parent helper, or even a Headmaster, that had an obvious impact upon the boys – inspiring them to move forward, continue to do their best and to make the most of life’s opportunities.
As the boys arrived back from camp it was great to see them showing their gratitude to their teachers as they got off the bus. Boys valuing the contributions our staff have made to them as learners refreshes the spirits of staff and affirms that what they do for our boys is so worthwhile. This is something very powerful at work in a school such as Hereworth.
As the new term now gets underway, I encourage us all to practise gratitude. Set aside a time each day, maybe at the family mealtime, to think of three things for which you are grateful. They can be the most basic of things like the food we eat, the job we have, the relationships we enjoy, the great school you attend. The practice has several benefits. It is a reminder of how lucky we actually are, but not only that; mindfulness research has shown that this practice can give us perspective and make us happier people! Cultivate an attitude of gratitude!