By Nick McIvor | Posted: Thursday July 2, 2015
Down at School Park on Saturday morning, our Under-14 rugby players were converging in readiness for their games. With each arriving player came a growing focus of purpose, one that could not only be seen but felt.
Individual and collective thought turned increasingly to the game, to anticipate the test to come. Each team went through a series of steps together, to position for competitiveness from the first whistle. This team preparation, this transition from being outside to inside the impending challenge, depended on player reliability. Coaches and team mates had to be able to count on each team member keeping to predetermined timings and rules, and sticking to the game plan developed during the week, once out in the middle. It was pleasing to see just how reliable our boys were during this opening period (despite a few uniform reminders being required!).
As a school we count on the reliability of the boys each day. We have a dependency on their willingness to be dependable. Reliability is highly valued at Timaru Boys’. Reliability is taught, modelled, and praised; it has a crucial influence on how well we can support each boy’s education. Reliability stems from responsibility and commitment. To be reliable is to be honest, accurate, and achieving. Being reliable is also a pre-cursor to meeting the expectations of the groups or competitive environments our boys will enter in future. The reliability of an individual establishes confidence in others or as Robert Hicks once pointed out: ‘Dependability is the base upon which all confidence rests in full security.’1 We want all our boys to develop reliability at Timaru Boys’ – just as they were doing so admirably on Saturday morning.
As our term concludes, what has been achieved in these 11 busy weeks is pleasing; a term that started with an ANZAC Service that now seems a very long time ago. I thank all those who volunteered their time and effort so generously, to support the many activities from which our boys benefit; you have added much to this term’s success. Have a safe and satisfying break.
Nick McIvor
Scientia Potestas Est
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