Author: Tonie Konig

We need to remember that we should put the important things first. We can get so easily distracted by the little things that it consumes our lives, and we neglect the important things. We need to have faith in ourselves and what we are capable of. We need to be kind to ourselves and what we do. Believe in yourself and what you put out there. We encourage our learners with the following; If you ever feel like quitting, think about why you started in the first place. [read more]

Respect your parents in their old age.

After his father’s death, a son decided to leave his mother at an old age home and visited her on and off. Once he received a call from the old age home….” Your mom is serious please come and visit her.” So, the son went and saw that his mom was critical and on her dying bed. He asked: Mom what can I do for you? Mom replied: “Please install fans at the old age home, as there are none. Also put in a fridge so they can keep better food because many times I slept without food”.  The son was surprised and asked his mom: Mom, while you were here you never complained, but now that you have a few hours left and you are telling me all of this, why?

Mom replied: It is OK dear, I have managed with the heat and the hunger pains, but when your children send you here, I am afraid you will not be able to manage!

“Love our parents and treat them with loving care for you will only know their value when you see their empty chair….” [read more]

Things are not always what they seem, and we experience things that affect and shape the way we act and behave towards each other. This week we encouraged our learners to think before they speak and how to tell the difference between being funny and being hurtful. Something insignificant to us, may be very hurtful to others and we need to be aware of what we say and how we say it. Being kind and considerate does not cost anything.

‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind” – Unknown.

“Try to be the rainbow in someone’s cloud” – Maya Angelou. [read more]

Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting. This week’s message and challenge to our learners was to share ‘goodness.’ We encouraged our learners to be kind, mindful and to try and make someone’s day, even if it was just giving a small compliment. That small compliment could change their whole day. Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. #ShareTheGoodness [read more]

It doesn’t matter if you are a learner, an educator, a parent, an adolescent, or a community member. Everyone has a role in the prevention of school bullying, and most people have directly or indirectly participated in, witnessed, or experienced some form of bullying in schools.

There are several types of bullying to know about, and different ways that educators, schools, and parents can help stop bullying at school.

Bullying must meet certain requirements to be considered bullying. These are: malintent, imbalance of power, distress, and provocation. School bullying may occur either in schools, on campus, or outside of school, but it is due to relationships created in school settings.

Those who have experienced bullying can have low self-esteem which can lead to depression. Some victims of bullying have physical and/or emotional distress as a result of school bullying. Adolescents who were bullied are more likely to develop depression in adulthood.

It is hard on a parent to find out their child is being bullied but know that you can do something about it. Children should know from an early age what effect their behaviour has on others. They should be taught to see others’ perspectives to help them understand other people emotionally. Bullying in schools is a tough issue to tackle, but if schools, parents, and learners all commit to stopping and preventing bullying, it can be stopped. [read more]

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. He then hid himself and watched to see if anyone would move the boulder out of the way. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.

Many people loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none of them did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

A peasant then came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to push the stone out of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant went back to pick up his vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.

The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King explaining that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.

The moral of the story is that every obstacle we come across in life gives us an opportunity to improve our circumstances, and whilst the lazy complain, the others are creating opportunities through their kind hearts, generosity, and willingness to get things done. [read more]

This week we celebrated Freedom Day. It is not just another public holiday, it’s the day our beautiful country changed for the better. It is the day democracy and justice prevailed and the sacrifices and courage of the people of South Africa were finally heard.

Freedom Day is a reminder that we all can make a difference in our amazing country, no matter how small it might be. And when we work together for a brighter future, we can shake the world. [read more]

Kindness – the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. Being compassionate, polite and helpful are all associated with kindness. Being kind does not end with people. It should also be shown to nature and animals. One small act of kindness can make a big difference.

We are living in a world filled with so much negativity and hatred. We need to teach our youth to respect others and the world around them. Rather than looking for faults in everyone you meet, give them a compliment. It’s likely that a word of kindness will reciprocate. You should love thy neighbour and treat them the way you want to be treated. Respect and take care of the environment so that we can all enjoy the beauty of our world. [read more]

In a world where you can be anything, BE KIND!

I challenge you to commit…” A Random Act of Kindness” once a day, at least.  An act of Kindness can change a person’s whole world depending on their state of mind.  Here are some practical examples:  Smile or greet one person you do not know, help someone cross the road, pay for someone’s groceries, buy the person behind you in the queue a sweet or chocolate.  Tell someone at your place of work to have a fabulous day (and mean it).  Acts of Kindness become infectious.  It might even possibly change your mood for the day.  You automatically become more positive.

Start with being grateful for waking up and take it from there. Positivity begets positivity.  AND, don’t give up.  Keep committing a “Random Act of Kindness” every day for 21 days in a row and it will surely become a habit.  I hope you are feeling more positive after reading this [read more]

The term has started at a good pace and is progressing well. Our learners have settled and are working hard towards the next target, namely the June exams. These are our formal exams which will cover both Term 1 and Term 2 work. It is important that all tasks and assignments are well done and handed in on time in order for us to get the best return on our hard work.  Our learners need to work consistently at reaching the goals that they have set for themselves.

Our exam dates will be shared with learners and parents shortly, but we can expect the exams to take place from around the 31^st of May to the 15^th of June. Time is of the essence and we cannot afford to waste any time. We need to set up those study programs, cut down on social activities over weekends, and set aside the time needed for studying.

If any of our learners are having a difficult time knowing how to study, how to organize their time efficiently, or feel overwhelmed please do not let them hesitate to come and see me so that we can find a way of helping them. [read more]