I was privileged at the end of 2014 to join our 1st XI in their annual fixture at The Willows Cricket Club. It was my first visit to this special place and while the history and serene surroundings were appealing it was my observation of the traditions and principles of engagement during this fixture that really resonated with me. There is an intolerance of the antics or conduct we see so often in the professional sporting domain. In fact, because the expectations were so clearly enunciated (in action rather than words) no participant even entertained conducting themselves in a contrary manner. Consequently it was a pleasurable day and experience for all concerned.
My role as Rector is one I treasure greatly. I am often asked how we as a school help the young men we have the pleasure to work with to navigate and negotiate their way through the challenges that they are confronted with. In my view those challenges are becoming increasingly complex as our young people are exposed to adult themes and decisions far earlier than we ever were. There are a variety of mechanisms we commit to, including teaching character, building resilience and developing leadership capacity. The one that tends to create the most discussion and debate is intolerance. We prepare our young men for life beyond the school gates by being Intolerant.
Last year I had the opportunity to travel through Europe and the United States on a Woolf Fisher Fellowship. Professionally, and personally, the most challenging part was the ten days that I spent at a Principals course at the Harvard Post Graduate School of Education. One statement that was delivered during that course has reverberated with me and at times haunted me upon my return. It is simply this: You cannot change what you are willing to tolerate. In order to effect real change, positive change, meaningful change there must be a degree of intolerance. I find that most people are willing to tolerate almost anything because they do not have the courage to take a stand. That is particularly true in our politically correct environment. It is those same people who then lament the fact that nothing ever changes or that the change is detrimental and destructive.
It is my conviction that we need to teach our young men that there are some things that we, and they, cannot tolerate. We do that by what we say but more importantly, as I observed at The Willows, what we do. From a school perspective we do not tolerate bullying.
We cannot tolerate mediocre efforts from our students. We do not tolerate disrespectful conduct or conversation toward others. This intolerance teaches our young men about key life principles that, when employed, will ultimately lead to a successful and enjoyable life.
Personally I tire of hearing from those who should know better that we need to be more tolerant. I refuse to accept that. Our intolerance leaves us open for criticism but I can accept that. I can accept it because our boys, our sons, are ultimately the benefactors of that very intolerance. Our intolerance helps them to define core values by which to live their lives.
My Willows experience supported my Harvard experience and consolidated my convictions. Intolerance, when correctly applied in the right context, is a fantastic teaching tool and helps prepare our young men for the difficult decisions they will have to make by providing them with a moral and ethical compass to help them traverse a tricky landscape.