Wat did skool do 4 me?
If you’re a teacher reading this column heading with shock and disgust then hang in there. I do know how to spell and my grammar is about as good as any 24 year old, technically-savvy, sms generation man. I matriculated at SACS High School in 2004 after spending both my junior and high school careers at the oldest school in South Africa.
If you’re a teacher reading this column heading with shock and disgust then hang in there. I do know how to spell and my grammar is about as good as any 24 year old, technically-savvy, sms generation man.
I matriculated at SACS High School in 2004 after spending both my junior and high school careers at the oldest school in South Africa. When I finished school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life other than knowing that it would be along the creative line. I toyed with the ideas of being a chef, a fine artist or something in the film industry.
After two years pottering around working random jobs and generally gaining post-school experience I woke up one day knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life … I wanted to be a graphic designer. What’s more, I had made the decision all by myself, and I knew it was the right one.
“Take that, people who said dropping maths and science would be a grave mistake!” I thought to myself as I read my acceptance letter to study Graphic Design ND at CPUT. “Take that teachers! In fact, take that school! What did you do for me?” I thought.
Sure I had studied Art at school and that was probably my favourite subject (not only because we could get away with almost anything thanks to a few very liberal teachers over the years). Otherwise I couldn’t think of a single other subject that I had taken and stressed-out about come exam time, which played the slightest role in what I had decided to study and most likely would make a life of.
“What a waste of money!” I convinced myself. All those years of wearing a uniform and boater and getting average marks when I could have just gone to some design school to begin with.
I actually immaturely held that view for most of my tertiary education until it gradually dawned on me that what I had learnt at that fine school was far more important than the subjects or the sports games.
I had learnt how to be a gentleman, a people’s person and a confident young man. I had learnt social skills, etiquette teamwork and leadership. Qualities that made me stand out from others and skills that made me proud of everything I had achieved. Skills that didn’t come from any particular subject but from my entire, fortunate schooling experience at the hands of dedicated teachers and traditions that dated back over 150 years.
I now see the absolute importance of a good education and how vital it is to developing character, as well as a sound academic mind. It doesn’t matter whether or not the subjects you did had any bearing on what you end up doing after school.
Today I am working as a Marketing Manager for a company that develops educational software for schoolchildren and teachers.
Thank you SACS.
Teacher's Monthly experience
As the owner of EvaluNet, the company that has the privilege of employing Mike, I would like to say – THANK YOU SACS for all that you did to nurture this fine young man!
Well done Mike on taking responsibility for your own learning and growth and acknowledging the role your schooling played. So many people expect schools to write their scripts, when in actual fact the school is merely the stage….
Oh yes, Mike…I do know how you feel. That’s a feeling I had when I witnessed in disbelief…what happened at a Press conference on the news on Thursday(08/04/10). I said to myself thanx God I have been taught when, where and how to speak. It’s thanks to Skool Mike, that we know insulting people in public doesn’t belittle the person we are insulting, but does more harm to us(the insulters). Between the YL president and the BBC guy, we can actual see the essence of being a Skolier hey! High Five Mike…there take it.
Nice one Mike! Great article
great article. im a mechanical engineer who went to Durbann Girls’ College. i know the value system, leadership skills and work ethic I was taught shaped who I am today. However, there is something to be said about traditionalist school systems that restrict creativity and discourage following your purpose in life. I’m lucky that DGC isn’t like that and that I was encouraged to follow an atypical career for a woman. Also, my sister is doing fine art, another example!