EDITION 7 ISSUE 1

Many look forward to the start of a new year. A new year means a clean slate, a chance to start over. Goals are set and resolutions made. People are determined that this will be the year they stay committed and see real progress.

Throughout history, ordinary people have shown extraordinary commitment, persevering through hardship until their persistence changed the world. Thomas Edison tried 10,000 times before finally producing a working lightbulb, describing success as “1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” The Wright brothers spent years testing, crashing and rebuilding before achieving the first powered flight. Rudolf Diesel pressed on through repeated explosions and criticism from peers before creating the diesel engine. Edward Jenner endured many failures in his mission to fight disease before successfully developing the smallpox vaccine because he was committed to saving lives. Their stories remind us that unwavering commitment can shape the future. Imagine a world without light, diesel engines, aeroplanes and vaccines.

The Bible highlights individuals whose commitment, not to inventions or discoveries, but to God made them heroes of the faith. Daniel stayed committed to God, refusing the king’s food and continuing to pray publicly knowing he would be thrown into the lions’ den. Queen Esther remained committed to her people, courageously risking her life because she understood her heavenly calling. Moses’s commitment was so deep that he was willing to give up the privileges, wealth and even title as an Egyptian prince to follow God’s call on his life.

But how many people in reality stay committed to their goals? Studies show that, on average, only 9% of people stick to their New Year’s resolutions. Strava, a running and cycling app, even coined the second Friday of January as “Quitters Day” because this is when most people give up on their goals.

This is evident in the Bible where we read of those who made a commitment but didn’t see it through. Solomon committed his life to God and when he had dedicated the temple to God and God’s presence filled it, he urged the people in 1 Kings to “be fully committed to the Lord our God.” Unfortunately, he could not keep the commitment he told others to make but turned to foreign gods. King Asa turned to human help, Jonah couldn’t stay committed because he refused to obey God, the rich young ruler couldn’t even make a commitment because his money meant so much to him and the Church of Laodicea was called “lukewarm” because there was a lack of commitment to God.

This raises an important question: how do we develop true, lasting commitment in children? For a child to be committed they need to be trained. According to psychological theories, commitment involves three elements: Intention, Persistence, and Emotional attachment. Here is an example of what this would mean for a child:

1. Intention (a deliberate choice),  – Thabo wants to ride a bicycle.
2. Persistence (ongoing effort)– Thabo keeps trying. He falls often, becomes scared, and even cries, but every day he tries again.
3. Emotional Attachment (a bond to the goal or values)– Thabo loves the idea of riding his bike with his best friend to the park. It makes him happy. He also wants to make his mother proud because he saw how excited she was when his older brother first learned.

Children need to be encouraged along the way and reminded why they started the commitment in the first place. By teaching them commitment in their everyday life, a child will also learn how to be committed in their faith. When challenges come and storms arise their hearts will stay committed to God and their eyes will be on Christ because they have that heavenly goal before them. And who knows, maybe one day, among these little souls that God has entrusted to us, there will be the next Thomas Edison or a Daniel.

Sources: Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail. 43% OF PEOPLE ABANDON THEIR GOALS ON… | by Stefany | Mindful Writer | Medium
Conquer Quitter’s Day With Nuun Challenge – Strava Challenges

I was recently waiting in a queue. A young lady sat beside me with her two children. They were about 7 years of age, dressed in pink party dresses, their hair was done up and their nails painted. The mother seemed weary although it was not late in the day. The longer I waited, the more I understood. They were demanding, sulky and constantly back chatted their mother.

Different parenting styles become as clear as black on white in situations like these. In democratic families where parents are willing to negotiate every conflict with their children, the children often come to expect similar treatment from their teachers. Such children may challenge authority, argue and struggle to understand the boundaries between adults and children. One might assume that treating children like small adults would create confident, contented youngsters, yet the girls standing in the queue were anything but happy. Compared to the more traditional parenting style where parents expect respect and obedience, these children appeared noticeably unhappy.

Children should be treated as children rather than mini adults. Even though they sometimes appear capable of reasoning at an adult level, their brains are still developing. Research shows that the human brain only reaches full maturity in the mid‑twenties, meaning children are not equipped for complex reasoning. They may struggle to manage difficult situations or to express their emotions clearly because these skills are still forming.

Discipline your children and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. Proverbs 29:17

Sources: Parents: Don’t Treat Children Like “Mini-Adults” | UAPB News, Living with Children: Stop treating kids like tiny adults

What is Memorisation?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, to memorise is defined as “learning something so that you can remember it exactly.” In contrast, a 2025 article in the Journal of Psychiatric Nursing highlights the impact of a technological phenomenon known as the Google Effect. This effect discourages memorisation, as individuals tend to rely on internet searches rather than retaining information accurately in their memory.

Why is it important for teenagers?
Yung M. states that “memorisation creates meaning.” If teenagers are asked to memorise at least three cellphone numbers, many would likely find the task amusing or unnecessary, as they depend heavily on digital devices to store such information. Teenagers often perceive memorisation as boring or more suitable for younger children. However, memorisation plays a crucial role in enhancing learning, as retained information becomes meaningful when students encounter new concepts. For this reason, effective memorisation requires strategies that make the process engaging and purposeful.

How can it be practised?
Memorisation can be applied to learning cellphone numbers, formulas, grammar rules, and many other academic concepts. When practiced effectively, it can significantly improve a teenager’s academic performance. There are several ways to implement memorisation techniques. For example, learners can use melodies or rhymes to remember grammar or geometry rules. Memorisation also supports spelling skills, as learners can use creativity to form expressions or acronyms based on each letter of a word.

The impact of digital dependency on cognitive skills
Digital dependency has contributed to what is often referred to as digital dementia. Increasingly, teenagers struggle with sustained concentration, critical thinking, and cognitive academic language proficiency. To help restore cognitive engagement and strengthen memorisation skills, teenagers should be encouraged to reduce, or where possible eliminate, excessive screen time. Challenging the brain through active memorisation practices can help re-establish strong cognitive learning abilities.

Sources: https://pdf.journalagent.com/phd/pdfs/PHD-53179-REVIEW-AKKURT_YALCINTURK.pdf, https://gtscholars.org/5-memorisation-techniques-for-teens-to-improve-memory-recall, https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-remaja-jompo-dan-bahaya-digital-dementia, https://mediacat.uk/digital-dementia-is-technology-changing-our-memory/#

As parents, we aspire to be successful and to make a lasting impact in life – both in our workplaces and in our homes – and one of the ways we pursue this is through our children. After all, are they not the ones who will carry forward the family name or legacy? Perhaps, too, it is out of love that we want more for our children than we ourselves were able to achieve. Academic or sporting success is often what parents wish, or expect, from their children.

Within this ambition, however, lies a significant danger: the risk of trying to mould children into something they are not, thereby stripping them of the joy of being at school – and of being alive – and of celebrating their unique strengths and abilities, or learning to accept failures.

Sports experts frequently caution against pushing young athletes too hard before the ages of 15 or 16, as developing bodies are more susceptible to injury, while overtraining can result in burnout, stress, and a loss of enjoyment. Andre Agassi – winner of all four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open – describes in his autobiography Open: An Autobiography, written with J. R. Moehringer, how he was forced into intense training from early childhood by his father and came to resent the sport for much of his life. He recounts the psychological toll of this pressure, including anger, anxiety, rebellion, and a loss of autonomy.

The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg.

Parents are encouraged to exercise discernment in knowing when to challenge their children and when to ease up, ensuring that expectations do not become undue pressure. There is a fine line between inspiring and motivating children and pressuring them to perform beyond their abilities or intrinsic drive.

As we start this new school year, let us offer encouragement in ways that foster joy in academic and sporting achievements, rather than grief. When done well, the right kind of encouragement inspires learners to believe in their abilities, creating a positive path to success.

A theme that lies at the heart of our education at DSS this year (and in fact at the heart of relationships, faith, the professional world, sport and much more) is ‘be committed’.

Commitment is a binding force that directs our choices, aligns our efforts, and anchors us to a purpose greater than short-lived interest. Researchers define commitment as a process that binds individuals to a chosen course of action, despite alternatives and challenges, involving strength and persistence over time. 

Yet we live in a world saturated with choice, convenience, and instant gratification. Contemporary culture — especially among younger generations — increasingly values freedom and self-expression over obligation and mutual trustworthiness. What counts is self-interest and flexibility rather than long-term devotion to work, relationships, or faith commitments. 

Commitment is often demanding: the discipline to show up every day, the patience to see things through and the humility to put shared purpose above immediate self-interest.

The call to “count the cost” before committing reflects this truth. For example, in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus taught that a person building a tower must estimate the cost before beginning, lest unfinished work bring shame. This metaphor resonates in schooling, relationships, and faith — knowing that worthy commitments demand perseverance, endurance, resilience and a willingness to pay what it costs.

In Hebrews, the early church was encouraged to resist drifting away from the faith — to remain steadfast and full of zeal even in difficulty. Drifting implies complacency rather than sticking to the faith through thick and thin.

As a school community, our mission goes beyond academic excellence. We strive to cultivate commitment — to learning, to service, to growth in Christlike character. This means helping learners:

• Understand the value of long-term goals and the rewards — and difficulties — of pursuing them.
• Practice steadfastness in responsibilities and personal discipline.
• Recognise that meaningful achievement rarely comes without cost — in time, effort, perseverance, and sometimes, sacrifice.

Thank you for partnering with us growing and achieving this vital goal.