Welcome Remarks to the General PTA
meeting from the Current Outgoing PTA Executive Committee Chairperson
Kobe Kobson Motlhatlhedi
30th March 2017
The
College Chaplain, Father Alex
The
College Manager
The
Principal and all Staff of St Joseph`s College
Current
Outgoing PTA Executive Committee members Parents and Guardians
Ladies
and Gentlemen
Good
Afternoon
Here
we are gathered on the occasion of the 1st 2017 General PTA Meeting of
St Joseph`s College, It is customary that we gather at this time, not only to give
feedback to parents on the progress of the PTA and problems of our learners, but
to meet with College Authorities, Staff and all those who are taking care of
our learners studying in this prestigious Institution. I take this opportunity
to welcome you to this meeting.
Let
me first start by explaining the objectives and functions of PTA.
The objectives of the
Association are to:
Ø Promote close contact and the
widest co-operation between St Joseph`s College, parents, parish and friends
for the good of, and advancing the education of the learners of the College;
Ø Raise funds to provide extra
equipment and other benefits to the College which are in line with the College’s
strategic plan;
Ø Promote wider community
involvement in College life by offering social activities for parents, staff
and friends of the College; and
Ø Support the role of pastoral care
for families within the College as the need arises and other activities
consistent with the charitable purpose of the Association.
I
take this opportunity to announce to the House, that St Joseph's College has
been constantly attaining position 1 nationally for the past 5 years and is a College
well known for disciplined behaviour of its learners. I congratulate all
stakeholders and pray for more successes in our quest for academic excellence
and the drive towards attaining greater heights in nation building objectives.
No
doubt, these are good results and I believe the parents can only be happy and
thankful to the College authorities and staff for the hard work put in to achieve
what you have before you.
The
Association as a body has played a positive role in the scheme of things aimed
at endorsing and promoting the image of the College and continues to strive in
the objective of making our dear College a household name in and around its
immediate environs. Nevertheless, I believe there is room for improvement on
our activities as partners in progress.
As
we all know, our children are our future. We therefore owe them good academic
and moral education which is the reason why as parents, we partner and support St
Joseph`s College in its unrelenting efforts in ensuring that its students rank
among the best in the country and beyond.
Education
is not about reading and writing alone, it is about building a generation of
future leaders, good-mannered and trustworthy children who will contribute
their quota in nation building and help uplift the name of our dear nation.
This and more is what St Joseph`s College is all about and I testify to that in
all sincerity.
It
is this high level of commitment by the school that has gingered parents to
give their full support to the College, thus making our work as the PTA
Executive easy.
I
will want to remind parents that the upbringing of learners starts from home
not St Joseph`s College. St Joseph`s College is there to complement what we
parents start at home. Parents, you have your children for approximately three
months of the year. St Joseph`s College has them for approximately nine. So, if
we want to make St Joseph`s College, a home away from home, you should
emphasize on these learners the need to be in this College because the
overriding goal is DISCIPLINE, inside which a lot has to be achieved if a child
goes through a College like St Joseph`s. Parents, I urge you to help the Staff
to make your learners better persons in society tomorrow.
At
this juncture, on behalf of the PTA Executive, I would like to announce that St
Joseph`s College will be having 90 years of existence next year, and the PTA
Executive and College Management have agreed to immensely celebrate this 90th
Anniversary hallmark, through the assistance of all the parents, College alumni
and other Old Associates of Kgale, commonly known as OAKS. The details of this
90th Anniversary celebration would be explained during the course of
this meeting.
I
would also like to announce that the two year term for the current PTA
Executive Committee members has come to an end, and one of the proceedings of
this meeting is the election of the new PTA Executive Committee. I therefore
like to inform you that I am currently welcoming you as the current outgoing
Chairperson of the PTA Executive Committee.
Serving
as member of the PTA Executive Committee is a voluntary initiative, however I
urge parents to volunteer in this initiative. Parents are the backbone
of our strong and supportive community in St
Joseph`s College. Parental involvement is a long tradition in
our College and one of its greatest strengths. The more you engage with
the College community, the more rewarding your experience in St Joseph`s College will be. I encourage you to look for opportunities to volunteer
and share your experience and talents. Small or big time commitment –
there is a place for you!
Let
me inform you that most if not all of us in the PTA Executive Committee were
filled with reluctance when we were first elected into our respective offices 2
years ago. But now, all I can see amongst us is a spirit of teamwork.
Therefore, allow me to express my utmost gratitude to all committee members who
have never failed to serve our association with commendable endurance. I feel
so proud and honored to have been able to lead this excellent team.
I
understand that the committee and members have been through a lot of sweat and
tears in order to secure our benefits and interests. I must admit that all of
you have exhibited great loyalty and diligence towards your respective
obligations. Truly, St Joseph`s College PTA is proud to have had such proactive
members.
Throughout
the past two years, several new initiatives have been introduced and
implemented. These include, but are not limited to; running of the
College Tuck Shop by the PTA, commencement of other fundraising activities such
as buy a block, shoe size, family fun day and so on, and the erection of a
shade to accommodate all students during mass.
I
sincerely hope that today a greater leader would make a bold move to step up
and take over the new leadership. I believe that it is time for me to make way
for new rising stars. Rome wasn’t built in a day. In order to raise St Joseph`s
College PTA to greater heights, we need new ideas and fresh energy to run and
improvise the Association.
As
the outgoing Chairperson for this auspicious Association, allow me to welcome
all of you with the warmest gesture, and may this gathering be another one that
will bring us joy and happiness. It is my passionate hope that we will continue
to forge stronger bonds of rapport and radiate our spirit of togetherness on
all occasions.
The path towards success is full
of obstacles. Should you fall, pick yourself up and continue your chosen path
with refined vigour.
God Bless St Joseph`s College,
God Bless Botswana.
Thank You!
