Valentine’s Day at ISCT

As a prologue to Valentine’s Day, the Standup Club walked around school on Wednesday, delivering cupcakes and inspirational self-affirmations to students, to inspire more of a self-love thinking about Valentine’s Day. The messages said things such as ‘You are talented’, ‘You are beautiful’ and ‘You matter’. On Friday morning, the Peer Support team also handed out chocolate covered strawberries to every single student. A small note was attached to each strawberry, with more self affirming messages such as ‘You are loved’ and’You’ve got this!’.

The idea of exploring different kinds of love was furthered in Friday’s morning assembly, where Mia, Celeste and Rachel presented an assembly on the history of Valentine’s Day, as well as explaining the seven different kinds of Love that the Greeks philosophised about. ‘Philautia’ is love of self, which the speakers highlighted as being one of the most important types of love: how can you even begin to truly love other people if you don’t love yourself? ‘Agape’ unconditional love, a love that is universal, selfless and honest, such as the love nurses and doctors show, or the dedication teachers have for their students. ‘Storge’ is a bond between a parent and child, which is one of the most natural types of love. This love is innate and cannot be taught, and if it is true, unlike the over loves, it will not be affected by environmental factors. ‘Eros’ is love of the body and physical pleasure, and similarly ‘ludus’ is a love that focuses on experiences and emotions and pleasure in the moment. Ludus generally occurs at the beginning of a relationship and is present in the form of banter and playful flirtations. ‘Philia’, or brotherly love, is the bond between friends, and ‘pragma’ is a long lasting love, like that of grandparents.

The year 12s began handing out roses and chocolates at first break. The money that students use to buy these from the year twelve’s will go towards raising money for their matric dance. Not all the roses and chocolates were able to be handed out, so during the next few periods and second break, the year 12s continued to hand  them out.

Just like every year, Valentine’s Day ended with an assembly planned by the year 12s. From the get-go, this year’s assembly seemed very engaging. It began with a performance from Jarrod and Isabella, Jimi and Jessica, a thought-provoking performance involving a guitar, poetry and beautiful singing.

Several games were played, including  a couple’s game, as well as a non-couple’s game, and a ‘Guess-The-Song’ game, where all the songs were somewhat related to love. The non couple’s game raised many laughs as people on stage tried to remember the names of their friend’s parents and birthdays, as well as teachers and students trying to finish the lyrics to popular romantic songs. Until the end of the assembly, the Year 12’s continued to hand out the rest of the roses and chocolates to students.

Valentine’s Day at ISCT ended with students learning more about love. Not only the romantic kind, but the kind of love that’s visible in respect and appreciation and everyday acts of kindness. Little gestures like buying a friend a rose or a chocolate for a parent or teacher can mean so much – ‘gifts’ are one of the five languages of love, after all. But most important is self-love because this is the love that enables you to love others.

Photos taken by Gaby, Mr Hillebrand, Farhana, article written by Rachel 

-The Year 12’s especially were all dressed for the occasion