Principal's Report

There once were two cats of Kilkenny,

Each thought there was one cat too many;

So they fought and they spat,

And they scratched and they bit,

Till, excepting their nails,

And the tips of their tails,

Instead of two cats there weren’t any.

         (from Gentle Darkness, p.134)

It’s a wonder some organisation has not been formed to protect animals and other non-speaking forms of life from vilification by members of the human race. All of us want to find an excellent illustration or two from the animal world which will graphically illustrate one of the many failings of human beings. Indeed, we often go so far as to label some of our worst criminal behaviour as ‘animal’ behaviour - which is hardly fair, as animal lovers all over the globe frequently lament.

In the interests of balance and fair play, then, let me tell you of some animal behaviour that I read about which rather puts us humans to shame. It would appear that the not-so-highly-regarded-in-the-intelligent-and-cuddly-much-to-be-admired-animal-stakes, the scraggy mountain goat could show us all a thing or two about sensible behaviour. If two of them meet on a narrow, rocky ledge where it is impossible to pass, and where ‘backing up’ is not a viable option, one of the goats will lie down and allow the other goat to walk over it!

How thoroughly sensible! And how difficult for us as human beings to do the same thing in similar, if less physical, circumstances! We spoil our relationships by wanting to get our own way all the time, by refusing to admit that we might be wrong, by finding it difficult to swallow our pride. We’d rather succeed in an argument than preserve a friendship, it seems. Or we’d rather stand by an opinion on some matter than seek consensus and unity. Or we’d rather win at all costs than embrace the humility and disappointment of loss. 

Of the many great character traits we would want to encourage our students to embrace, is rarely mentioned now in society – yet it is so important! It is what someone has described as ‘the noble art of losing face’ which links directly to our MFG traits of being kind and compassionate as well as resilience.

Michelle Crofts

Principal