Tradition: Our Past, Present, and Future
Muhammad-Raees Hassim
What is our tradition, and what do the values of the Griffin actually mean? This was never a question that made me think, made me look within to see what was important. Until recently I thought many of our school traditions were nothing but time wasted. The one very useful corridor that we couldn’t use, the incessant rugby and soccer games we had to attend, and a multitude of other inconveniences. But as I approach the latter end of my schooling career, I begin to understand the reason behind these traditions. The matric corridor, Bernard’s quad, and the white scarves are ways to mark the responsibility of matrics: to lead by example as the ‘older brothers’ of the school. The compulsories are a way to unite the school over one goal (also it’s a jol). The assemblies are a way to honour the players and to motivate them for the next game (although I still don’t enjoy having a 5 minute break). These are the foundations that have paved our illustrious history.
I finally understand these traditions. We must uphold them and as year by year passes; add to and renew them so as to keep them relevant, but never to take away from their original purpose and idea. This will assert our school as the Westville of past, present, and future.