From Father Gift

Why the 'Good Old Days' are now

Memory and imagination are powerful tools. They are gifts that enable us to immerse ourselves in the distant past and imaginary future. Now and then I delve into the “Good Old Days”, reminiscing and enjoying myself like a little boy, basking in the morning winter sun on the porch on a beautiful Saturday. 

While many things make up my “Good Old Days,” it is the high school years that I miss the most. I miss the sunny, bright high school days, classmates, teachers, school events, the friends I made, and sometimes even the fun, funny, naughty moments with my mates. 

I regularly remind students to enjoy their high school days because, in the future, they will likely look back on them with nostalgia. I encourage them to get involved in as many fun activities as possible because that is where the good memories will be. 

On Monday this week, the 100-days-to-go countdown for our Year 12s began. So now it’s already 95 days to go – time goes fast! 

As much as high school days become a big thing after you graduate, the irony is that you cannot wait to graduate! It is only after you are gone that you miss them. 

Our talk at Chapel on Monday was based on Numbers 13:17-33, focusing on the bravery to face challenges. Brain specialists tell us that when we are in scary moments, we either “fight,” “flee,” or “freeze”. Our Year 12 students will be under extreme pressure from now on until they graduate. My prayer is for them to be brave and, like Caleb, say, “We can do it!” 

We will support them as much as we can. I encourage parents and guardians to understand the pressure they will be under. Be their cheerleaders. My uncle, my best-ever cheerleader, always said to me when I was in high school, “You can do it!” or, like Nike, “Just do it!” 

Fr Gift Makwasha

School Chaplain