We have no control over the weather, and we are becoming accustomed to suffering unpredictable and unseasonable conditions – and don’t we Brits love talking about it? Fortunately, we are generally spared the extremes and natural disasters which occur elsewhere on the planet. I am sure that we are also watching in horror the man-made catastrophe over which so many innocent victims have no control in the Middle East.

It is often said that ‘life is what you make of it’ but I actually believe that our passage through life depends to a significant degree on the hand we are dealt – over which, again, we have limited control. I count myself very blessed in this respect.

Our young people will encounter difficulties which they may sometimes perceive as inflicted unjustly upon them and over which they have little control. The reality is that the resolution of many of those ‘first world’ problems does lie within their power, or certainly in the way they react to those difficulties. They can blame parents for making them miserable by imposing restrictions at home – or they can choose to respond in a more measured way and to understand the reasons and benefits! They can consider themselves hard done by at school or rail against the unfairness of life when faced with ‘excessive’ homework – or they can get on with it and enjoy the satisfaction of completing it! They can consider themselves the victim of their friends’ lack of consideration – or they can swallow their pride, tender an olive branch and broker a positive way forward.

In so many situations - at home, at school, in life - they do have a choice over how they react or how they aim to find a resolution. They do have control. I can say this with the benefit of adult hindsight – but what do I know?!

Best wishes,

John Watson
Headmaster and Principal