Day: July 28, 2025

Welcome to Term 3

And just like that, Term 3 is upon us, and we are in the latter half of 2025. I trust that the school holidays have been a good time to spend at least a little quality time relaxing with family and friends.   Personally, Melody Beattle’s words (above) could not be more apt for me. I am most certainly on the road to recovery and am immensely grateful on so many levels. My cardiologist is a miracle worker. My faith has certainly played a significant role in my healing and recovery, too. It is in times of a crisis that the community comes together, and I thank each of you for the thoughtful emails and messages you sent to me. Each of them has meant a great deal to me and my family. The “heart” of Theodor Herzl Schools is a tangible and real one. At our high school academic and beginning-of-term assembly earlier this week, I spoke about the topic, concept and power of “yet.”It is a small word with enormous power. It’s a word that turns failure into growth, discouragement into hope, and limitation into possibility. Its power contains a mindset applicable to all of us – no matter our age or context. There’s a big difference between saying “I can’t do this” and saying “I can’t do this… yet.” That single word, “yet,” holds the promise of improvement, of progress, of a future that is not fixed. It reminds us that learning is a journey — and every challenge is a step forward, not a wall in our way. We live in a world where quick results are celebrated. But the truth is, the most meaningful success comes from effort, persistence, and the courage to keep going even when things get tough and also “failing.” I thought that the image of the chickens alongside captured the message appropriately. One might say: “I’m not good at maths… yet.” “I haven’t made the team… yet.” “I don’t understand this topic… yet.” That mindset — a growth mindset — is what separates those of us who stay stuck, from those who rise. It was a reminder that even the most successful people we all admire, once struggled. But, they didn’t just stop. The reality is that they used every failure as feedback. They understood that the brain, like a muscle, grows stronger through use and challenge. The power of ‘yet’ embodies this notion and encourages us to believe in our ability and potential to improve. My challenge to our students (and adults) was to change the narrative one is telling oneself.  And not to give up just because something is hard. Lean into it. Ask for help. Try again. A lesson for all of us… SAVE THE DATE! According to the calendar and correspondence, our Shabbat Nachamu weekend is just two weeks away. This weekend celebrates and commemorates our school’s birthday. Sunday 10th August is a fun-filled day of sport and age-appropriate activities (sporting and otherwise) for children, students and parents. It is a day (essentially the morning) for the whole family to enjoy.  More detailed information will be communicated to you early next week. Another date to diarise is Thursday 21 August. It is our School Board’s AGM, an important opportunity to meet the Board, learn about their respective roles, and its value in the fullness of our school life. The evening will be an informal one, with refreshments (we envisage a cheese-and-wine style evening). The evening will include informal presentations on relevant and useful topics pertinent to you as parents, and provide opportunities to learn more about an aspect of Theodor Herzl Schools that may have intrigued you– all in an informal, convivial setting. We encourage you to be part of the evening! It will be a worthwhile one to attend – and not miss. Further details will follow in the days ahead. After an association of more than 24 years with Theodor Herzl Schools, first as a part-time teacher, then a full-time staff member and until relatively recently, a member of Management at the high school, Mrs Adina Pieters retires at the end of this year. A valued member of staff, with a wealth of experience on many levels and who has served the school with distinction, appropriate tributes and functions will be held in the months ahead as we bid her farewell. Despite the weather forecast for the weekend looking decidedly bleak, I trust that it will nevertheless be a happy and restful one for you. Kind Regards Viktor Kurz