Speech by Mr.
Andrew Cino,
Headmaster of Newton College
Mr. Robert Webb, Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy in Peru; Mr. Carlos Breña, President of the Old Newtonians Association; Dr. Victor Lazo, President of the Williamson Educational Association; Sr. Luis Esponda, Director of Newton College; students, parents, colleagues and friends:
This evening we are going to celebrate the graduation of 112 students of Promotion XX, a promotion which has given us unforgettable moments of artistic creativity, sporting talent and academic achievements. During this ceremony we will recall some of those moments and hopefully, offer some words of advice we hope will guide in your future careers and personal life.
As you all know, our school motto, Facite Omnia Sapienter, means “Do everything with common sense”. I recently read an article on the death of Common Sense. It was called “Obituary” and I would like to share extracts of it with you:
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird catches the worm, that life isn't always fair, and that maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn), and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned, but overbearing regulations were set in place. His condition was only made worse by reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened.
Common sense lost ground when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion, or a Band Aid to a student.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little on her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
Obviously, the author of this obituary was not a student of Newton College where we nourish and exercise Common Sense every day. I personally believe that Common Sense is not dead but it is seriously ill. That is why it is important for all of us help it recover. It is often said that Common Sense is the least common of all the senses and this is one of the problems that we must address. Let’s start by trying to understand what is common about this quality.
Aristotle defined Common Sense as the place where all our senses come together, are processed and made available to consciousness. Therefore, it was a “common” sense because it gathered the other senses together in one place, and not because it was a constant in all people.
Locke described Common Sense as the process whereby each of the senses gives input and these are then integrated into a single impression. So, again it was “common” because it integrated the other five senses.
In the course Theory of Knowledge you have learnt about the different ways of knowing. Not all definitions of Common Sense are so positive. Some scientists believe that Common Sense conflicts with experimentally verified knowledge. Einstein would NOT have enjoyed studying at Newton College for he denounced Common Sense as “the collection of prejudices acquired by age 18”.
The Merriam Webster definition is a little kinder and defines it as “ sound and prudent but often unsophisticated judgment”.
Despite the different views of Common Sense I think we would all agree that it is acquired through the other five senses and that it is to be found to varying degrees in people of all ages and levels of formal education. It is not exclusive to intellectuals. How often have we spoken to a taxi driver and thought that he had a lot more common sense than some of our politicians?
Students of Promotion XX, Common Sense in the 21st century needs urgent medical attention. It is your responsibility to nurse it, nourish it and help it to get better. How can you do this? By using your other five senses and refining them daily. Here are five simple examples of what I mean.
- Smell the flowers: Modern life can be frivolous, furious and frenzied. It allows us little time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. In this school we are fortunate to be surrounded by very beautiful gardens. But how many times have you stopped to smell the freshness and fragrance of the flowers? Try it. It will cleanse your mind and soul and remind you of the simple beauties of life.
- Listen with empathy: First seek to understand and then seek to be understood. Effective listening is not simply hearing the echo of what the other person has said through the lens of our own experience. Rather it is putting ourself in the perspective of the other person, listening empathetically for both feeling and meaning. It is one of the most important skills in life.
- Taste the garlic: You have grown up in the era of junk food and vitamin pills. Modern society seems to have forgotten that healthy food nourishes not only your body but also your soul. Avoid the temptation of fast food which reflects the convenient, consumerist lifestyle. Take the time to cook with garlic, a medicinal plant which symbolises our history and traditions. Some things in life do not taste very pleasant but they rid our bodies of the contaminants that infest it every day.
- See beyond the surface: The media so dominates our life nowadays that we find it difficult to see beyond the stereotype views of beauty and happiness. We often forget that the wrinkled caterpillar will become a majestic butterfly or that compassion is the root of true happiness. In Saint-Exupéry’s famous novel the Little Prince says that what is essential in life can only be seen with our hearts and not with our eyes.
- Finally, feel enthusiasm: Whatever future career you undertake, do it with enthusiasm, a word which comes from Greek and literally means, “possessed by a god”. The extraordinary person is not the one who does extraordinary things but rather, the one who constantly does the ordinary things in an extraordinary way. As you get older do not lose that enthusiasm you had as a child. In the words of Mark Twain, "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no-one's watching."
Promotion XX you will soon be leaving Newton College, this haven of affectionate teachers and compassionate rules. You will soon find yourselves in unknown territory with ambiguous signs about the way forward. Do not be afraid! Your common sense will guide you. In Forrest Gump, one of my favourite films, Jenny asks Forrest the question, “Do you ever dream of who you gonna be?” Forrest replies, “Who I’m gonna be? Aren’t I gonna be me?”
Graduating students, in the next stage of your life, just be yourselves and Facite Omnia Sapienter. No matter where the future may take you, always remember your roots - your family, your school and your country.
Promotion XX I wish you a lot of a lot of satisfaction and happiness in your next journey.
Thank you for being such a wonderful promotion and thank you for listening so attentively to these humble words of advice.
Andrew Cino
Headmaster
