Compassion, courtesy and kindness – Being a great man
The ideas of courtesy, kindness, and compassion, while present here at the College, bind together to create an idea that I think is much more commonplace here, that being support. This support present “within these walls” as we hear so often has been on full display this year, and especially this term. Whilst mentioned countlessly already, the support from the College and wider community for Aiden and Aaron after the Canberra Avenue incident has been one of the most positive displays of our community spirit I have seen during my time here.
More recently, this term has been full of fundraisers such as Founder’s Day, the great attendance of which showed a support for our school and its heritage, alongside the House fundraisers scattered throughout the term. These have, and will continue to until the end of term, raise money for the College, displaying again a great amount of support for both fellow students and the school itself, albeit through the tried-and-true successes of the sale of food.
Another show of support this term came in the form of the recent Cabaret. Whilst it must be said that not everyone involved in the Cabaret was there entirely of their own desire to perform on stage, the support within from boys who both had and had not previously been involved in the performing arts was noticeable. I am not necessarily talking about rallying around the Cabaret itself, instead I want to acknowledge how the boys rallied around each other, and the great support they showed to their peers regardless of their desire to be there.
Finally, I’d like to touch on what I believe is required to be “a great man”, the point of this piece. Ultimately, it comes down to your own specific morals and values, both what these are and how you live by them. Obviously, your values must be worth living by to begin with, but it is your following of them that determines your greatness. Your values dictate your life, how you want to live. Letting someone else change them only leads you to live a life that isn’t yours, not truly. The following of your own values leads you to live your own life, to live fulfilled. When these values are great you are able to live a great life, to be a great man.
Reuben McBride
Mulrooney House Captain