The Stonar Way 10.7.24

Last Friday, we had Speech Day, where we celebrated our pupil's successes and acknowledged the pupils who won prizes for their academic achievements and engagement in school life.

This year, we introduced our Values Awards to acknowledge those pupils who have best represented our School Values - Work Hard, Be Kind, Get Involved and Shape the World. We talk about these Values; they are in our everyday language. They are not a long list of words that no one can remember and they do not have fancy alliteration written for an external audience. They are real, for us, what we genuinely aspire to be and I am delighted that they now have a place within our prize giving.

I usually offer a few 'wise words from Way' to our departing Upper Sixth but this year, I decided to ask the staff to offer a word of advice for our leavers. I am grateful for all the responses I received, even if I cannot incorporate them all.

Here's a few of them:

• There’s an Italian joke about a desperate man who goes to church every day and prays to a saint, asking: ‘Please, please, please can I win the lottery?’ And one day, the saint, frustrated by the man’s constant visits and pleading, comes to life, and says: ‘My son, please, please, please: buy a ticket.’ You’ve got to put yourself out there, in the game, in order to have a chance of winning.
   
• Wash your hair with fairy liquid and exfoliate with salt. This will save you a fortune and both do an excellent job.
   
• Own brand Weetabix is not as bad as you think, but cheap chocolate is never worth it.
   
• Go easy on your parents. Your prep/primary school really does feel like yesterday to them. It is still reasonable for them to know where you are. Phone them sometimes, even when you don’t need money!
   
• Success really isn’t rocket science. Get the little things right: be on time; treat others kindly; work hard.
   
• Always remember that ultimately, you only have an audience of one.
   
• Volunteer. You can make a difference. Remember the words of Edmund Burke: ‘Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he can do only little.’

The American essayist, poet and philosopher, Ralph Waldo sums up my personal hopes for the Upper Sixth. He said, “To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

We rightly celebrate achievement. But, for far too many young people, achievement comes with a price not worth paying. At Stonar, it comes with something different...it comes with Joy. This is far beyond simple happiness. Happiness can be fleeting; it can be shallow. Joy is a profound belief in yourself and your own value. A knowledge that the people around you truly care about you. That you are free to explore every opportunity that comes your way. That you are safe.

This is Stonar School and we believe in three simple words. Achieve with joy.

Matthew Way
Headmaster