From the Principal’s Desk – 19 July, 2018 – Mandela Day

Dear Parents,

Another year and another Mandela Day completed. This year was significantly special as the world celebrated and honoured Madiba’s 100th Birthday. The spirit of the 67 Minute challenge has taken the world by storm and has become a significant event around the world. From Paris to London, Beijing to Madrid, the world rolled up their sleeves and did their bit to make a difference in someone else’s’ life.

The concept of service in schools is becoming the norm in many educational institutions and highlights the importance of what a balanced education needs to include. If we are to create students who can go out and make a difference in the world today, we need to offer opportunities for them to learn how to be empathic, understanding and caring young adults who want to effect change. This is something that needs to be taught, encouraged, enhanced and promoted at every stage of a child’s educational journey. To be kind and to understand the needs of those around us, must never go out of “style” – it must become a way of life.

Too often people assume that service is donating money or items – sure there is a place for such things, but serving others needs to be more than just giving material possessions. To truly give of oneself and to actually give of your time to make a difference can be the most powerful way in which to serve. It is a well-known fact that this approach can be rewarding for both the receiver and the giver.

That’s what we are chasing at HBIS – to allow our students opportunities to give of themselves, find their passions and to realise that they in their own unique ways can make a difference to another human being and they do not need anything to do this but themselves.

From the yoga classes the EY offered to our support staff, the PS students making eco-bricks and the various HS student activities, I was most encouraged and proud of HBIS’ 67 minute commitment yesterday.

Hopefully, for some of us, yesterday will have planted a seed to encourage us all to do good in the world for much more than just 67 minutes once a year!

‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ – Mahatma Gandhi

Kind regards,

Grant Ruskovich