From the Head's Desk

Speech to new parents

Greetings and a very warm welcome to you all as new members of the Watershed College body and family.
 
We look forward to the uniqueness and talents both as individuals and as a group that you will all bring to this body, ultimately for the fulfillment of God’s purpose.
 
When I reflect on that purpose and its various dimensions, I come to the conclusion that it is fundamentally about building a good character based on the example of Jesus Christ and God’s word in Prov 22:1 which states: A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.
In terms of education, this is what the 21stC learner, educator, and parent must bring to the world and the likes of Watershed College, are the last bastions to nurture and harbor such an education.
 
As members of the Watershed College body, you have now entered into a triangular relationship that includes the parent, the child and the educator. In these different capacities, we are all responsible for contributing to this overall goal of producing a child of good character who will be able to hold their own in the world. Like all successful relationships, it has to be nurtured through time and effort and demands an equal contribution from all parties.
 
Our College motto is: Through hard work we prosper and that is our focus in all our activities and that is our expectation of a Watershed College student in any capacity and activity.
It is also important that we all appreciate the opportunity and privilege that being a member of this body represents. We are not a mission or a government school but rather a private, ATS School that offers an all-round education incorporating the four pillars of learning; spiritual, academic, cultural and sporting.  
 
As educators, it is our mission to uncover your child’s intelligence, gifting and purpose within these four pillars. Therefore, in order to accomplish this, it is important that your children participate fully in all four areas and that you, as parents, fully support them in their endeavors by attending consultation days and fixtures as well as ensuring they are equipped to reach their full potential e.g A gifted batsman cannot reach his full potential without his own cricket bat.
 
However, as mentioned earlier, we are first and foremost, a family and like any good family, we have our responsibilities and roles to play within that family. We are not perfect either, as individuals or as a body, but we strive to be the best that we can be by loving one another, forgiving one another, extending grace and by maintaining its unity, whatever the cost.
 
It is understood that when you chose to become a member of this body, it is because you both subscribe to and appreciate its ethos and values and that is what you want for your child. These include discipline and respect for authority.
It is therefore, most important not to compromise these fundamental values by our attitude and conduct.
 
Here, I am referring especially to our management of social media where we need to be discerning. We are encouraged to use it in a positive and responsible manner and ensure that we air our issues and grievances through the correct channels to the relevant persons. In fact a face to face discussion is preferred where clarification is required. We also need to be discerning in which issues concern us and which don’t. We believe in being transparent and have an “open door policy” and if there is an issue you concerning your child, you will be advised.
 
May, I also request that when it comes to issues of sickness and discipline you do not entertain your child’s version of the matter until you have checked with the relevant authorities. 
 
As a much-esteemed Head of infants (Grade 1 &2 once said “If you don’t believe all you hear about us, we won’t believe all we hear about you.” 
Get the facts so you can make informed decisions.
 
Finally, as we undertake this progressive and adventurous journey together, let us all embrace, as quickly as possible, what it means to be part of the Watershed body, as a parent, student or educator so that we take full advantage of this God given opportunity, together, so as to reap what we sow, fruits of the spirit!
 
God bless

Speech to new students

Greetings and a very warm welcome to you all as new members of the Watershed College body and family. Some of you will be nervous or fearful and some of you excited. I suggest you look at it as an adventure. 

We look forward to the uniqueness and talents both as individuals and as a group that you will all bring to the Watershed College body, ultimately for the fulfilment of God's purpose.  Eph 2:10 for we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

When I think about what that purpose is, I have decided that it is mainly about building a good character based on the example of Jesus Christ and God's word in Prov 22:1 which says: A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold for ourselves, our families and Watershed College.

When we think about our education, we must learn to be people of good character because that is what the 21st Century learner must bring to the world and Watershed College is a place where you will learn what it means to be a good character and a decent human being.

As members of the Watershed College body, you have now entered into a relationship that looks like a triangle as it includes you, your parents and your teachers.

In our different roles and with our different characters and gifts, we are all responsible and accountable for contributing positively to this body that is Watershed College which will be our home and our family until we finish this season of our lives. What we learn and experience here are the life lessons we will take into our own lives.

Like all successful relationships, it has to be developed with time and effort and demands our equal contribution. Because these relationships are precious, we don’t mess up this relationship, the family or the home that we live in, by what we say or do. We also learn to be responsible and accountable to the other members of the family and care about them. We need to think our actions through as we need to understand that every action has a consequence that affects the body and the family.

Our College motto is: Through hard work we prosper and that is our focus in all our activities and that is our expectation of a Watershed College student in any capacity and activity. There are no free lunches in life and we do not take short cuts either. We must also learn to be good stewards of what God has given us which includes our bodies, our environment, our brothers and sisters, our uniforms, sports kit and equipment and all that we use to learn with at the

College so that it can be passed on to the next group of learners who will start just like you are doing today.

It is also important that you all appreciate the opportunity and privilege that being a member of this body means. We are not a mission or a government school but rather a private, ATS School that offers an all-round education incorporating the four pillars of learning; spiritual, academic, cultural and sporting. 1t is important that you understand what this means and what it involves especially if you weren't in an ATS school previously.

Our mission as your teachers, is to uncover your intelligence, gifting and purpose within these four pillars of learning. Therefore, in order to achieve this, it is important that you participate fully in all four areas and that you are equipped to reach your full potential e.g. If you are a gifted batsman you cannot reach your full potential without having your own cricket bat.

I would like to advise you of the main things that you need to do in your school work to be successful:

1. Be at lessons and activities on time.
2. Do your homework and hand it in for marking.
3. Do your corrections.
4. Read and revise for tests and exams.
5. Do what you are told to do.
6. Listen to your teacher.
7. Don't cheat or lie.

However, we are first and foremost, a family and like any good family we have our responsibilities and roles to play within that family. There are the parents, elder and younger brothers and sisters and us. We are not perfect either, as individuals or as a body, we are work in progress striving to be the best that we can be by loving and forgiving one another, extending grace and by maintaining unity, whatever the cost.

It is understood that when your parents chose for you to become a member of this body, it is because they both subscribe to and appreciate its ethos and values and that is what your parents want for you. These include discipline and respect for authority.

It is therefore, most important that we do not compromise these fundamental values by having the wrong attitude and behaving in a way which is not becoming of a Watershed student. There should also be no doubt as to what that way is. 1f you don't know, ask.

Your management of and discipline in the use of social media is a very important part of being a Watershed student. You are encouraged to use it in a positive and responsible way and to make sure that you communicate your issues in the right way to the right persons. In fact a face to face discussion is preferred where clarification is required. We also need choose which issues concern us and which don't. We believe in telling the truth and have an "open door policy" if you need to discuss anything. If there is an issue concerning you, your parents will be advised.

Finally, as we undertake this progressive and adventurous journey together, let us all understand and become, as quickly as possible, part of the Watershed family, so that we take full advantage of this God given opportunity, together, so as to reap what we sow being fruits of the spirit and becoming ladies and gentleman of good character.

God bless