Before the mid-term break, I was given a very special hardback book called ‘The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse.’ by a parent in the Junior school. It is full of pictures and short quotations like the one below and it is a special book to read as a family especially when you see your older daughter read it to her younger sister.
However, the quotation below is one of my personal favourites because it is one virtue that I hope every boy will have when they leave our Junior school. This is especially important during last week when you witness how many unkind acts can have such a negative effect on a boy in Australia and the heartbreak of a parent’s voice describing this daily occurrence. We will never remember every single test score, and nor should we, however we will remember how we were treated by teachers, parents and indeed classmates.
An act of kindness is truly an act of love and in the words of Mr. Nelligan in Saint Kevin’s Third Form – Love is a gift. Therefore, during this season of Lent, I ask every member of the Willow community to reflect on how we treat and care for each other over the coming 40 days and please ask yourself – Was I kind today?Did I help someone by doing something kind?
I must thank Ms. Coburn, Mum of Sean Coburn in Saint John’s Third Form for the lovely present. I also must thank Mr. Leo Cullen for being so kind in being patron of the Father Gavin festival of rugby and giving so much of his time on Tuesday to talk to the boys, have pictures taken and to thank Father Gavin for the positive impact he has had on his life. You have shown all of us in the Junior school community the true impact and value of kindness. Thank you.