"I am not usually one to begin my speech with a greeting, but for the sake of a new year, it seems reasonable to abandon my structure just this once. So, to all the staff, College, and Sixth Form: good morning and happy new year. It truly feels good to be back home.
So many years ago, in our school’s early years, St John’s faced a difficult period where we were considering closing down. We had just emerged from the Anglo-Boer War, and the Milner schools, like KES and Jeppe, had just opened, which resulted in many of our students leaving. Our first headmaster, Revd Hodgson, was summoned back to England to continue his duties in the church, and a young man, only in his thirties, was given the responsibility as headmaster, becoming St John’s’ second headmaster. Filled with passion and ambition, Mr Carter was a well-respected man with a vision for this school during a difficult time.
St John’s numbers plummeted over the years, leaving us significantly in debt, and there was a real fear that we would be forced to close down. But what many people didn’t know was that Mr Carter was an optimistic person—the kind who had unwavering hope for prosperity, hope in the midst of uncertainty and desolation. Year after year, he fought with the school council to keep our doors open, restructuring the school to survive a decline in numbers. Meanwhile, the students who remained at College maintained a really positive spirit every day. Three years into his tenure as headmaster, the community of resurrection, all the way from England, pledged their allegiance to an Anglican boys' church school—a school they saw light in. That school was St John’s College.
Oftentimes, when people talk about the history of this institution, the names Fr Nash, Revd Hodgson, and Revd Darragh come up, but this story is of an unsung hero. Had it not been for the persistence and optimism Revd Fitzwilliam Carter demonstrated, who knows what would have happened?
In many ways, Revd Carter represents many things which I think are important for us all today. The first thing I’d like to highlight is his hope in this institution. Now, Barack Obama is my personal hero. I recall running around my house screaming, ‘Yes, We Can!’ after rewatching his 2008 presidential address for the gazillionth time. He said, “Hope is not blind optimism. It's not ignoring the enormity of the task ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. It's not sitting on the sidelines or shirking from a fight. Hope is that thing inside us that insists, despite all evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us if we have the courage to reach for it, and to work for it, and to fight for it. Hope is the belief that destiny will not be written for us, but by us, by the men and women who are not content to settle for the world as it is, who have the courage to remake the world as it should be.”
Hope is not a call to stand by the sidelines and just blindly wait for the world’s issues to solve themselves. It’s a call to action to persevere through the trials and tribulations and believe that all that you’re putting in will manifest in prosperity.
When I was in Remove, we were told a story of one of our Matrics, TJ Sithole (Nash 2021). In his Remove year, he was in the F team for basketball. He had hope in his ability and decided to work hard, using that hope to drive him to resist the people who looked down on him—those who told him his dream was too far-fetched and that some things were just unattainable. By the end of his time at College, he was the first-team basketball captain, respected by his peers as a formidable talent, and one of the best basketball players this school has seen.
The Revd Carter calls on us to hope. Whether you’re a Sixth Former learning to deal with the complex challenges of a foreign syllabus or a Lower V thinking about leadership, think of the story of this young man leading an entire school in one of the most difficult times in its history and know that you can shape your dreams into reality.
The second thing I’d like to note from The Revd Carter is that, in order for him to have hope in better days, he had a genuine belief that there was something so valuable about this school worth saving—a light at the very centre of this institution that shone out the darkness that surrounded it. Light is such an interesting concept. I made an attempt to understand the physics behind light and noticed that, through all the research I had done, the one key impact of light is that it connects us to the entire universe.
In the scripture we read today, Jesus calls on us to let our light shine so that others may see our good works. This implies that in the absence of light, there is a sense of isolation and a lack of connectedness. Last year, I asked all the new prefects to go around and ask Old Johannians and current students what they like about the St John’s experience. Many of them highlighted the times we were together as one community—whether at war cry practice or singing in Chapel. When I asked you to vote for me, I said that I dream of a school where we all feel goosebumps as the College voices roar in the chapel, where everyone, from the girls in Sixth Form to the first-team rugby players, can enjoy a proper, vibrant, safe and heartfelt war cry practice on a Friday. This dream, amongst many others, calls on us to hope and to believe in the light of this College that makes you want to wear this badge every day and devote yourselves entirely to it.
But for all of this to happen, it starts with the individual. I want us to get something straight this year, and this is something irrefutable that no one will ever argue with me about: every single one of you here has a light in you, something that gives you value and purpose to fight every day and persevere. That light exists in the times you smile and laugh, in the spaces where you feel most comfortable just being yourself, in the lives of those you have impacted, and finally, in your heart.
I, for one, grew up petrified to speak to large crowds of people. I was born with a vicious stutter that rendered me mute until I was about four years old. Through years of battling my confidence, I saw that light within me and allowed it to grow. St John’s is a space where that light is encouraged to grow exponentially. Through offering a wide array of opportunities to be involved, to get to know people from all walks of life, and having the most phenomenal and skilled educators to mentor you, this space is one to discover your light and let it shine. The scripture we read today says that you are the light of the world. It is imperative.
The prefect body has chosen three words to encapsulate our vision for the year 2025: Ignite your light. I don’t think there’s much more to say. This is a call for you to venture into 2025, daring greatly and soaring like an eagle.
Upper Vs and Upper VIs: This is it. One of my favourite basketball series is The Last Dance, which explores Michael Jordan’s journey to being the best basketball player in history. I’m sorry to those like Mila who are bronsexual here, but the thing I love about it is that it calls upon everyone to use that light inside of them to keep moving forward. This year will be challenging, but it is the beginning of the end, so let’s take every shot at it. While this may be cliché, it is true: you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take. This statement has conquered a fear that some of you have about talking to specific groups of people, but now I ask you to redirect your thoughts to making sure this year is one where we thrive. Ignite your light.
Lower VIs: Many of you have come from the College and now look like academic weapons in your Sixth Form ties. Some of you are completely new to the school. As you navigate this year and what that looks like, know that the College welcomes you as one family, and you have an enormous support base around you to help you. Ignite your light.
Lower Vs: Many of you might be thinking about leadership this year. Many of you might only start taking your academics seriously now, but through it all, I encourage you to never lose sight of the light inside you. Ignite your light.
Upper IVs: This year will be transformative for you. You begin shaping the kind of future you want to live and will start to understand yourself much more this year. You may not get the answers you are seeking; you will be confused. But remember that I told you it is imperative that there is a light inside you waiting to be discovered. Ignite your light.
Lower IVs: You guys are in the most fortunate position in the College. You can now walk on slates. There’s finally a group of boys who are younger than you, and you begin to grow in confidence. Ignite your light.
Last but not least, to the Removes: from making you do high knees on camp to enjoying a passionate war cry practice around the fire, Remove camp was such a transformative experience for us and you. The College welcomes you into our family. Know that you bring value in your presence in every space and in your compliance with the school’s rules. This family will help you ignite your light.
This family of ours is one of the most interesting ones. Yesterday, I witnessed Teague find it very difficult to comprehend the fact that he could walk on slates. Yanda was cheesing after the rightly groomed Hodgson Removes stood up to greet him as he walked into Darragh Hall, and once again, a sense of vibrancy was oozing in the air as the boarders were welcomed. This is the light of St John’s. These are the memories worth fighting for.
Together, as one family, one College, and one army, we can all ignite the light within and see the College soar into 2025. College, staff, and Sixth Form: this year, you will Ignite Your Light.
The prefect body has chosen three words to define our vision for 2025: Ignite your light.”
That light, the one Reverend Carter believed in, is still present in all of us today. It’s the same light that can drive us to greatness, no matter the challenges we face. Last year, I shared a story about a former student, TJ Sithole, who started in the F-team for basketball during his Remove year. Many doubted him and dismissed his dreams as unattainable, but he had hope. Through hard work and perseverance, he rose to become First Team basketball captain, a respected leader, and one of the most talented players in our school’s history.
This year, I want each of you to reflect on the light within you. Whether you are a Sixth Former navigating the complexities of a foreign syllabus, an Upper Fifth considering leadership opportunities, or a Lower Fourth just beginning to discover your potential, remember that you have a light inside you. It’s the spark that gives you purpose, value, and the courage to face each day.
The prefect body has chosen three words to define our vision for 2025: Ignite your light. This is a call to action for each of you to step boldly into this year, to dare greatly, and to let your light shine.
Upper V and Upper Sixth, this is your moment. Like Michael Jordan in The Last Dance, push yourselves to give everything you have. Don’t fear failure—remember, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Lower Sixth, whether you are new to St John’s or continuing your journey here, know that you are part of one family with an incredible support system. Lower Fifth, as you start thinking about leadership and taking your academics seriously, hold onto the light that will drive you forward. And Lower Fourth, this is the beginning of an incredible journey for you. Embrace the transformation, explore your potential, and know that your light is waiting to be discovered.
As we venture into 2025, let’s carry Reverend Carter’s legacy of hope, courage, and perseverance. Let’s ignite our light and shine brightly as one united community. Together, we can achieve great things." — An excerpt from Siza Gule's (Head of School) address to the College and Sixth Form at the first assembly in 2025.