A Happy New
Year and welcome back to the start of the Spring Term. I hope that you have had an enjoyable,
restful break, and that you are prepared for the challenges ahead. Soon you will receive the results of your
mock examinations and I hope that they reflect your commitment and
understanding in the subject. Your subject
teachers and tutors will shortly discuss your progress with you and agree an
appropriate plan to improve further.
Please ensure that you are fully focused for the remaining five months
so that you can fulfil your potential to progress on to the next stage in your
career.
You may have
taken on specific resolutions for the New Year to improve the quality of your
life and your well-being. If you have
done so, good luck and I hope that it works for you. I don't believe in New Year resolutions but I
do believe that we have to take control of our lives and not wait for things to
happen, to be done to us or for us.
For nearly a
year, I have decided that I want to use my time to become proficient in a new
language. I have been looking for
someone to teach me, without success, as it is a non-European language. So about two months ago, I purchased a series
of CDs which I use when travelling to and from work. I must admit that it has been really
fulfilling, "enjoyable" and at times, very mind-jumbling. Never more so than when I used it for the
first time with a native speaker in December and her response was
bewildering. I could feel and hear the
cogs in my brain slowly moving to make sense of what I had heard. I felt somewhat intimidated and daft but felt
pleased when I was able to respond, albeit, with a very clipped and short
phrase.
Taking
control of your life means that you have to listen and be mindful of the advice
that you are given:
"Good advice is sure enough
hard to come by but bad advice surrounds you constantly",
Gill Scott-Heron.
You have to look within yourself and
not be too hasty in making judgements.
There is an old Chinese proverb:
"Criticism comes easier than
craftsmanship".
And do remember
what Bill Gates said,
"Don't
take the mickey out of geeks and nerds.
They may end up being your boss".
Finally,
remember to be tolerant and to listen:
"It is
better to be thought of as a fool than having it confirmed by opening your
mouth",
Mark Twain.
I listened
to lots of music during the holidays and was introduced to Israel
Kamakawiwoʻole’s beautiful rendition of
Over the Rainbow as well as Sam Smith (by one of our sons). I also went to watch my beloved Leeds United
lose against Derby County on a very cold evening. In an odd sort of way, I enjoyed watching the
team but it made me realise that we are going to be in a relegation scrap and
desperately need leaders on the pitch.
I managed to
keep abreast of the news and was heartened by the story of a homeless person,
who paid for a taxi to take a young woman safely home, late at night. Subsequently, the young woman raised over
£3000 for the person through the generosity of her family and friends.
Have a great
Spring Term and take control of your life.
Jay
