Steve Doidge, President

Having been involved as a volunteer teacher at the school a couple of years ago, as well as my current interaction, the one thing that stands out about Wynberg is the impeccable manners of the pupils. The following letter was received from one of Wynberg's neighbours and it pays testament to this.

"I enjoy it when my morning runs take me through Wynberg Boys' High School at about 8am in the morning. There are usually groups of boys sitting around chatting to each other and telling their stories or madly scrabbling for tips as they go in to write an exam. But without fail as I run past a group of boys, they all stand up and greet me formally with "Morning sir". I respond accordingly with "Morning gentlemen" or aware that exams or a sports match is the order of the day, with "Good luck today".

I was reflecting this week how satisfying I find these brief encounters. Am I just an old fashioned and traditionalist at heart? Is it that it strokes my ego when the boys stand up to greet me and address me as "sir"? I am sure there are elements of all of that but there is something deeper going on. I am not one of their teachers. There is nothing in this personally for them. They don't know me or have any idea of my position. I have done nothing to deserve the respect accorded me, besides sticking around on this planet for longer than they have. But they recognise my grey hair and balding pate and greet me courteously and politely. It is undeserved and freely given.

Reflecting on just how much I appreciate these brief exchanges, I realised that it is a lesson I need to take to heart. Showing courteous respect and politeness to strangers is enjoined upon us time and again in the Bible.

May your daily life win the respect of outsiders - 1 Thes 4:14
Show proper respect to everyone- 1 Peter 2:17
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect 1 Peter 3:15

When we do this we are being like God. Showing respect and honouring people is a way of demonstrating the undeserved love of God without looking for favour or return. I am grateful to the Wynberg Boys. Without fail they make my day and spur me on to follow their example.

Rev Duncan McLea
Minister in Charge
Christ Church Kenilworth"