Tag: life

The Wild Side of the Pride lands: A Tale of Disrespect

Well, well, well, it seems like manners are so last term in the pride lands ! The cafeteria has turned into a scene straight out of a soap opera lately. Just yesterday, a few lower school cubs decided that chucking food across the room was more important than actually eating it. Seriously, who knew meatballs could fly that far?

And let’s not even get started on hallway etiquette. Pushing past teachers, ignoring the fact that the school corridors are a  “No Phone Zone”, and throwing trash like it’s a personal game of basketball—if only these students put the same energy into their schoolwork! Just last week, a group of upper schoolers thought it would be hilarious to blast their speakers during the morning. Guess who’s now spending their Thursday in detention?

The worst offense might be the constant back-talk to teachers. One student was overheard telling the librarian  to “just cool” when asked to put their phone away. The audacity! Is respect a foreign concept these days, or are we just living in the era of rudeness?

Here’s a thought, cubs: how about showing some respect to the staff and each other? Or at least give us a break from the daily drama—we could use a breather from all the eye rolls and side comments. Until then, we’ll be here, reporting on the wild antics of the pride land’s most mischievous cubs. Stay classy and be cool, folks!

Getting There

As Graduation Day approaches, it’s easy to begin wondering “what’s next?”, “where do I go from here?” or “….???”. It’s easy to feel lost in a sea of faces, not really sure of where you’re going, so used to where you’ve been. It’s never too early to start planning for the what’s next. What steps do you think will form the path of your journey?

What do you want to do? Every road begins here. Deciding the path to take can seem frustrating and confusing especially when there are so many options available. Maybe choosing one thing won’t be the best thing for you. And there’s no limit on what you can be. Is it the thing that brings you joy, that you do really well, that has always interested you? Or is it something that’s more of a challenge and requires effort but you think might be worthwhile?

How do you make it happen? While it’s good to dream, it’s better to put in the work. The dreams you pursue by working hard have a better chance of becoming real than the ones that stay in your head and fade when you’re awake. So write it down, plot it out, visualise it, read about it. If long term goals overwhelm you, you can start small to achieve big. Remember, one one full basket.

Who or what will help you? A support system can be essential on the path of life. Failing feels worse when faced with disappointing others even more so than disappointing ourselves. Knowing that you have people who are you rooting for your success adds to the feeling that your dreams can make sense. And sometimes you will walk the path alone and that’s okay too. Truth is, your options aren’t few. For the student today interested in achieving their goals, there are more opportunities for higher learning and certification than ever before. Make use of them.

Make your plans. You’re already in the process of creating your future with every step you take now carrying you closer. Be less afraid of the “what if it doesn’t work out?” Be more afraid of the “what if I don’t even try?” You can do it. You’ll get there.

The State of Affairs

The state of affairs at our school lately have been uneasy to say the least. Perhaps there’s been something in the water, or even in the air. This week alone has been rife with strife, periods of panic and the overwhelming sense that “the kids are not alright”. 

More than a few 5th formers have been candid about their feelings of stress and anxiety due to the looming spectre of CXC. 4th formers have been mixing like oil and water, whilst 3rd formers have either found themselves in the sweet spot or stuck in a rut. Our 2nd form students have begun to assert that they are no longer the babies of the school and in 1st form, the actual babies seem to think that they are bigger than the rest of us. 

Such are the state of affairs at Princess Margaret that the past ten weeks have passed in a blur and yet felt like a boulder. And though the finish line is in sight, perseverance is necessary to keep on going. The missing assignments need to be found, the crowds in the corridors need to make their way into the classrooms and the students need to rally like the West Indies chasing runs. 

There’s a lot to look forward to with our house rivalries talent exhibition and the Karaoke competition where even the Principal tends to showcase his vocals. Here’s hoping the kids will be just fine in time to engage in such festivities. With a fairer state of mind, a better, brighter outcome is always possible.