The Train Trip

December 08, 2017 | Boys’ Preparatory | Author: G Olivier

The end of an academic year can very much be likened to a train heading towards a station at full speed, with the drivers, conductors and passengers wondering if the train will arrive at its destination safely or whether it’s going to derail.

Experience has taught us that the train, its drivers, conductors and passengers usually do arrive safely, perhaps a little breathless, but with a sense of accomplishment that the destination has been reached.

I was reminded of the “Train of Life” poem that was doing the rounds on Social Media:

“At birth, we boarded the train of life and met our parents, and we believed that they would always travel by our side. However, at some station, our parents would step down from the train, leaving us on life's journey alone.

As time goes by, some significant people will board the train: siblings, other children, friends, and even the love of our life.

Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.  Others will go so unnoticed that we won't realize that they vacated their seats! This train ride has been a mixture of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.

A successful journey consists of having a good relationship with all passengers, requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery that prevails is that we do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. Thus, we must try to travel along the track of life in the best possible way – loving, forgiving, giving, and sharing.

When the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty – we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who continue to travel on the train of life.

Let’s remember to thank our Creator for giving us life to participate in this journey.

I close by thanking you for being one of the passengers on my train!” Author Unknown.

Reaching that destination is often bittersweet. In our Celebrations all our Boys’ Prep boys are affirmed and validated for their contributions in all areas of school life, but with a Grade 7 Leavers' Dinner comes the realisation that a new, unfamiliar train, in a different station, needs to be boarded. We wish all our Grade 7 boys, and the other boys departing, all the best in their next transit.

This too is relevant for staff, where sometimes the train trip has been brief, for others longer. They, as with our Grade 7 leavers, step off the familiar train, to move to another station and then board a new train.

The Boys’ Prep train bids farewell to a number of fine educators, two who have ridden on the train for a long journey of 12 years – Mr Quinton Pascoe, who takes up a headship at Reddam House, Waterfall Estate and Mr Russel Lennox, who takes up a Head of Boarding post at Waihi School in South Canterbury, New Zealand.

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Mr Lennox and Mr Pascoe at Final Chapel Service.

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Mr Russel Lennox

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Mr Quinton Pascoe

Mr Sicelo Bhengu, his trip on the BP train a little shorter, takes up a position at Steyn City School. Our beloved Revered Jenni, leaves the BP train to journey further at St Stithians on the Girls’ College train.

We thank you all for making our trip that much better as we journeyed with you and you with us. As the train refuels in the station, we wish all: the drivers, conductors, passengers and crew a wonderful break and we look forward to 2018’s journey.