|
Small classes, individual
attention, achieve your best |
Address: Private Bag 2, Randburg, 2125
|
Fees:
Click here |
|
|
St Stithians Girls'
College aims to educate all young women to be effective
leaders in our society.
Our leadership structure is based on the following four
principles:
Everyone can be a leader
Leadership is about self-knowledge and awareness
Leadership can only occur in communities
Leadership is primarily about service
Our Leadership philosophy is underpinned by an
understanding of "servant leadership" whose role models
include Jesus Christ, Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela.
Schools must be contributors in the process of nurturing
and promoting positive youth leadership. We believe this
will promote fairness, compassion and moral fortitude,
essential ingredients for society today.
POSITION STATEMENT: OUTWARD RECOGNITION vs. INNER VALUE
-
"THE REAL REWARDS"
St Stithians Girls' College prides itself on its forward
thinking in what is best practice in educational policy.
As the College evolves, we constantly review our
philosophies. A tradition is only good as long as it is
of benefit and still maintains value within current
educational thinking and more importantly, our school.
Our policy is different to many schools in that we do
not mark academic achievements with outward symbols like
braid, badges and colours blazers. What we have
identified in our girls is a need for a sense of inner
worth. What we are trying to nurture in all of our girls
is the understanding that self-worth is not attached to
a badge, but to a deep sense of knowing that they are
all gifted in so many ways beyond any outward symbols.
Although there is no outward recognition at the Girls’
College in the form of braiding, badges or scrolls, or
the wearing of colours/honours blazers, excellence in
all spheres is recognised at annual Celebrate Awards
Evenings (sports and culture), Academic Awards Evening
and Service awards given at Community Service Chapel
service. Achievements are published in school
newsletters and the local press. Recognition is given in
weekly assemblies too. Girls add these awards to the CVs
which they take to University or to the job market.
More important than outward recognition are values such
as loyalty, pride and self-esteem that the school
strives to instill. Labels limit us; we all have the
potential to achieve in our own way.
Actions should display leadership capabilities as
opposed to scrolls or badges on a blazer.
We don’t want girls to be reliant on badges for their
self-esteem and confidence.
We want our girls to excel in all areas. Academic,
cultural, sporting and community service achievements
are encouraged. A girl’s achievements become really
valuable when they become part of a child's own
self-worth and growing confidence. This is a confidence
that is worn in an upright posture, in a positive
outlook and a feeling of wholeness that will carry her
for life. A metal badge may give its wearer authority
but real reward and value is in those who wear the inner
badges of humility, courage and compassion.
It is easy to see how rewards can be an incentive.
However, research has found that these types of rewards
are low impact in terms of making lasting change. The
latest research, widely accepted by psychologists,
suggests that extrinsic motivation may in fact squelch
interest rather than encourage it.
Extrinsic recognition seems to make people: less likely
to take risks; perform to a set standard where they do
not look for a greater ‘stretch’; see themselves as
being controlled by the reward; limit their experience
of being self-determined; find tasks less pleasurable.
Without exception, those who achieve the greatest
heights are those who have a sense of purpose and who
are driven by the knowledge that there is something
greater than self. The key lies in how reward is
experienced. Dr Richard Ryan of the University of
Rochester concludes that the difference is between
recognising the value of what is achieved by individuals
rather than giving rewards because people have lived up
to pre-set standards.
It is difficult to make sense of this sometimes in an
increasingly materialistic world that looks to outward
signs and symbols as a measure of worth. We are not
trying to deprive our girls in any way. We believe that
we are empowering them with the greatest gift of all: to
know that their worth is greater and more lasting than
any badge that they might wear.
A St Stithian’s girl does not wish to be remembered for
the awards that she has won for herself, but for the
legacy that she has left for all.
Click here to contact the school
|
