b Not surprisingly this has focused the national agenda on education. Consulting firm McKinsey has identified what the key success factors are to a country’s schooling system. While there is no perfect model, the three themes as they apply to schools are: decentralisation (handing authority to the school as opposed to the state); a focus on underachieving pupils; and a high standard for teachers. I am pleased to note that Kearsney embodies these principles, confirming its relevance in a competitive world. But Kearsney is also about the boys. The grade 12 group have become young men and now stand at the cusp of making the world their own. Through their hard work they have already made great achievements. Sometimes the boys have been chased to the finish line but in the overall results of the group is embedded the realisation that today’s “average” student would have achieved enough to have been made Dux in my matric year. I would especially like to congratulate the boys who have achieved so much by overcoming learning difficulties. Kearsney’s inclusion programme has yet again demonstrated that every boy can do more than he thought possible and that his best is good enough. I wish to thank the parents and guardians for having entrusted your boys to us in their formative years. Their successes were not just achieved at school but in a home environment that clearly prioritises a good education. As a parent myself, I know that you have worried about every test, exam, match and tournament. This is your time to take pride in excellent achievements, individually and as a parent body. The class of 2011 is a proud one for the College. The world is a competitive place. South Africa was recently included in a group of countries, known as BRICS, by virtue of demonstrating its competency in technology and industry.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc3MDU5Nw==