From the Principal’s Desk – 19 April, 2018
IGCSE Class of 2017 Prize Giving
Over the course of the last few days I have chatted to no less than 3 different students across the grades who have each, in their own ways, discussed what success means to them – what struck me in each of these discussions – is how dangerous their current definitions of success are and how a new discussion and debate needs to be had on what being successful actually means. So if you will indulge me, let’s get right down to business:
”Today’s assembly is about the start of a journey, the start of the rest of your lives.
In 2 years’ time all of you will be finishing your IB Diploma
In 3 years’ time you will be studying across the world at a university of your choice.
In 5 years’ time you will have started your careers.
Many of you in this room will be working for the top institutions across the globe.
You will then get married, you may buy a house.
In 10 years’ time your life will be set for you.
In 15 years you’ll be 30 and from then on your path, your life will be set.
Right?
Well, let me tell you why that approach may fail you:
- I know people who graduated at 21 and did not get a job until they were 27.
- I know people who graduated late at 25 and they found work immediately.
- I know people who never went to university but found what they love to do at 18.
- I know people who found a job straight out of college, making decent money but hate what they do.
- I know people who took a gap year and found their purpose.
- I know people who were so sure about what they were going to do at 16 and then changed their mind at 26.
- I know people who have children but are single and I know people who are married but had to wait 8-10 years to have children.
- I know people in relationships who love someone else.
- I know people who love each other but aren’t together.
So my point is; everything in life happens according to our time, our clock.
You may look at some of your friends and think that they’re ahead of you, maybe some of them you feel are behind, but everything happens at their own pace. They have their own time and clock and so do you.
Be patient:
- It took till age 32 for JK Rowling to be published for Harry Potter after being rejected by 12 publishers.
- Ortega launched ZARA clothing store when he was 39.
- Morgan Freeman got his big break at 52.
- Steve Carell only got his break after the age of 40.
- Virgin was started by Richard Branson at 34.
- It took me over 40 years to really start understanding what happiness truly is and what my role in my own life should be to cultivate that
Getting your degree after 25 is still an achievement.
Not being married at 30 but still being happy is beautiful.
Starting a family after 35 is still possible and buying a house after 40 is still great.
Don’t let anyone rush you with their timelines, because as Einstein said:
“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that’s counted truly counts”.
And this is the most important thing:
I want you to create meaningful, purposeful, fulfilling lives for yourselves and learn how to use that to make an impact and a difference in the lives of others. That will be true success.” – taken from Jay Shetty’s motivational speech, ‘Before you feel pressure’.
I wish to leave you all with the following thoughts:
”If WEALTH is the secret to happiness, then the rich should be dancing in the streets. BUT only poor kids do that
If POWER ensures security, then officials should walk unguarded
If BEAUTY and FAME bring ideal relations, then celebrities should have the best marriages.
But it’s NOT here
Simplicity leads the world. Live simply, Walk humbly and love genuinely.”
And so to the DP1 students (and others) I want you to know that there is life beyond school, beyond the Diploma and beyond the expectations of your parents, the school and others.
No, this does not mean that you do not have to work or apply yourself – it simply means that we need to recognise that each of us are different and unique. And according to our individual skills and talents and of course, our path or clock we can and will be successful with hard work and effort.
You owe that to yourself!
Congratulations to the DP1 students for successfully passing through their IGCSE – we are incredibly proud of each and every one of you.
Grant Ruskovich