Farewell Letter - A Stewart
The words of Robert Frost beautifully capture the place of teachers, poised as they are at the meeting point of doing what they love and what they call work:
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For Heaven and the future’s sakes
Robert Frost.
In 1999 when David Wylde offered me the opportunity to accept the position of Principal of St Stithians Boys’ Preparatory School, I thought then that I understood the privilege and the responsibility of what lay ahead. However, looking back, I realize that I did not for a moment appreciate how life-changing, challenging and exciting, or simply how much fun being Principal of the Boys’ Prep would be.
To thank everyone to whom I am indebted is an impossible task. To all those who are not individually mentioned, who in so many instances are responsible for the things unseen, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Schools are people places and very often the most important and significant interactions are simple, kind, momentary smiles, and supportive gestures, suggestions and ideas. Most of these go unnoticed by all except the person who receives such transformative moments. Thank you to all of the inspirational people in the Saints Family who change lives every day.
One of the greatest gifts given to a teacher is the daily honour of witnessing children performing astonishing feats. Children bring energy, life and light to a school. Thank you to each and every one of the 1672 boys who have been a part of the Boys’ Prep since the dawn of the now not-so-new millennium when I started my journey with you. Thank you for offering me laughter, nervousness, fear and sometimes tears, but also ultimately and overwhelmingly, so many moments of great joy.
Another of the deep joys of my work is that I have been able to spend time with so many outstanding people who contribute willingly and selflessly without thought of reward, who simply give of their time and expertise for the children and the school.
I have been fortunate in the true servant leaders who have guided our Boys’ Prep PTA on my watch. Colin Smith was my first PTA Chair – he steered us towards financial stability in the new Millennium; Peter Backwell and Mandla Madi rewrote our constitution, and Bryan Biehler and Ntombi Langa Royds brought the Boys’ Prep community together and mobilized many fundraising initiatives. In addition to the variety of skill and expertise each has selflessly offered, each one of these very special Saints has bestowed on me an abundance of commitment, time, ideas, support and friendship. They have led their PTA committees with immense generosity and with a diversity of expertise that has facilitated numerous exciting and groundbreaking developments at St Stithians.
Fundraising has given the Boys’ Prep School covered stands on the Ridgway Field, the Cornwall Pavilion, the Intsika Room, the Saints Learning Commons and a new IT infrastructure, in addition to many other important additions to our school.
Beyond providing facilities at St Stithians are two initiatives that have truly made St Stithians a South African School Making a World of Difference. I am referring to the formation of the six Nehemiah Schools in Ivory Park, and to the founding of the Thandulwazi Rokunda Teacher Training Programme.
The Nehemiah Pre- Schools afford early childhood and primary education to approximately 500 children in Ivory and Ebony Park. Their existence and sustainability is largely due to the generosity of spirit of the Saints community. Initially, our involvement in the nursery schools was intended to be an opportunity for educational engagement for our Prep Boys, taking them beyond the boundaries of St Stithians. We were all, however, unprepared for the transforming effect of the project: it has become an important provider of good quality early childhood development, dubbed “a shining light and a model for community partnerships” by the former Minister of Social Development. This would never have happened were it not for the continued support and wholehearted generosity of the Saints Community. My special thanks go to the “Angels of Ivory Park” who have chaired the Ivory Park committee over the years.
The Thandulwazi Rokunda Teacher Training Programme was the brainchild of Peter Backwell, based on the Penreach model. Ten years ago the programme began in the Boys’ Prep with 150 teachers. Thandulwazi now provides training to over 1300 teachers from Gauteng as well as 300 teachers from Limpopo Province, and has spilled over into the Girl’ Prep and Junior Prep. Peter’s vision and belief in South Africa are matched only by his active drive to ensure that educational standards can be improved by proactively engaging with the teachers and children in under-resourced schools. Thandulwazi has been an overwhelming example of what can be achieved when the Saints community - teachers, parents and pupils - works together for the good of One and All.
I must mention here that further Boys’ Prep committees and sub-committees have provided numerous informative talks, Dads and Lads opportunities, and care and support for families in need.
Another parent group for which I am extremely grateful is the Saints Prayer Group which continues to provide support, comfort and dedicated prayer for our community in good times and, so importantly, in times of sadness, illness and bereavement.
Two generous Methodists gave us St Stithians College; to this day the Methodist Church continues to guide us in our work. I am truly appreciative of all the good Samaritans who have been so generous in giving not only to St Stithians but also to me, personally. I offer particular thanks to Bishop Paul Verryn and Bishop Peter Witbooi for their prayers, guidance and wisdom. At my induction nearly sixteen years ago, Bishop Paul encouraged me to “Listen and to Serve.” I hope with all my heart that I have been able to do this.
I often reflect on my great fortune in starting out as an absurdly young headmaster surrounded by a group of inspirational and experienced South African leaders and educators, namely David Wylde, Anne van Zyl, Lynn Rivett-Carnac and Ian McLachlan. I stand in awe of these individuals, all of whom have made significant contributions to the educational landscape of our country. Moreover, I honour them for their confidence in me and for the motivation and wisdom they showered on a new, untested principal.
I was also fortunate to stand on the shoulders of my predecessors, Walter Macfarlane, Owen Roberts, John Lees and Alan Wyborn, all of whom brought to the Prep their own unique passion for education and for children. Each in his own unique way, these men have helped to build the Prep into a leading South African school.
A significant facet of the gift of being part of St Stithians College is the wealth of skill that surrounds all of us here. It is unique to be a school principal enfolded by five other educational leaders to whom I turn daily for advice and good humour: Dr Tim Nuttall, Mel Dace, Celeste Gilardi, Ivanka Acquisto and Dave Knowles, and previously Stephen Lowry, are outstanding educators and brilliant individuals. In addition to the heads, our College Executive boasts a wealth of other talents that would be the envy of any organization; Stephen Baytopp, Bev Johnson, Themba Mthethwa, Daniel Nkomo, Paul Mayers, Johnny Smith, Rene Swart and Kim Urquhart all provide expertise in their areas of excellence. It continues to be a privilege to work with and to learn from these people. I thank them for their passion for education, and commitment to excellence, and for their friendship and ability to see a brighter and lighter side to everything.
The Old Stithian Association under the guidance of Shaun Edmeston has gathered momentum and is making a significant contribution to St Stithians. I am grateful to all of the OSA members who have been so supportive during my time at Saints. I give special thanks to the OSA Chairs, Carel Nolte, Travis McLachlan and Shaun Edmeston. Special thanks also go to Allen Needham for driving the completion of the New One and All Club at its current spectacular venue.
St Stithians is a park like oasis in the middle of the financial capital of Africa. Rene Swart, Pauline Dickson and now Rob Schipholt, along with their loyal staff, are the people who are creating this green lung or ‘promised land’ that brings so much joy to our community. The staggering statistic is that over 17 000 indigenous trees have been planted on our campus in the past fifteen years. Thanks to these special people, I have now witnessed 172 species of birds on our campus.
The St Stithians College Council is filled with some of South Africa’s finest leaders, people who always seem to find time in their busy lives to give to St Stithians. Thank you especially to the three Chairs of the Council who have served during the past fifteen years: David Schroenn, Nick Dennis and Carel Nolte. I salute your leadership and the gift you are to St Stithians. You have truly served the future hour.
When I chose to become a teacher, I was unaware that one of the unintended consequences of becoming a teacher is the gift of working with a collection of the kindest, most caring humans on the planet. Teachers do not change only the lives of those they teach, they change the lives of those with whom they work. I celebrate the Staff of the Boys’ Prep School. Thank you for your dedication, laughter, care and commitment to the school and to every boy. Thank you for constantly striving for best practice in education and for endlessly finding new ways to provide new challenging educational opportunities for our boys.
The Boys’ Prep executive is filled with future Principals. Thank you for being multi-talented, dynamic, driven and dedicated. Each of you have grown the pillars of the Boys’ Prep to be stronger and higher. My life is richer and happier through knowing you.
I have been blessed with four outstanding Deputies, Ray van Gass, Mark de Buys, Jakes Fredericks and Quinton Pascoe. These good men have made my life at Saints happier and easier. They have been inspirational to me and the boys. Thank you for your passion, sense of humour, hard work and commitment to the boys, the school and to me.
A Principal is only as good as his Personal Assistant and I have had the best in the business. Thank you to Fiona Schwartz for running the office, my professional life and indeed, the school.
In the past fifteen years eight teachers have gone on from the Boys’ Prep to become Principals of ISASA schools. This reflects both the quality of our teaching staff and the success of our training and development programmes. Jakes Fredericks is the ninth Boys’ Prep teacher to become a Principal. I am pleased and excited about his appointment, and proud to be handing over to a truly good and thoroughly competent man. I hope and pray that Jakes will have as much fun as I have had.
I am grateful to my wife Ruth for so much: for being the best wife, mother and principal’s wife a husband could want. The role of Principal requires long hours, weekends away, great emotional output and often holidays spent on various school tours. Thank you to Ruth, Katherine, Michael and James for giving me the freedom to make the most of my time at the Boys’ Prep.
I began this thank you with my gratitude to David Wylde and I end similarly with gratitude to Dr Tim Nuttall for providing me with my next opportunity. My wish is that it will bring equal joy to me and to all whom I strive to serve.
Our Chapel windows remind us to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit and the message on the Chapel wall tells us that; “to whom much has been given, much is expected”. I have been given much and have been very lucky to have had the experiences I have had in this “School of Dreams and Valley of Hope.”
The poet Wordsworth describes this best when he tells us about his inspiration to become a poet:
Ah! Dear friends, need I say, but to the brim
My heart was full: I made no vows, but vows were made for me; bond unknown to me
was given, that I should be, else sinning greatly, a dedicated Spirit. On I walked
in blessedness, which even yet remains.
William Wordsworth
Alistair Stewart
