Reflections on Term 1 Ironies

26 December 2020Mr Ron Neufeld, Privett Houseparent

Below is the speech delivered by Privett Housepaerent, Mr Ron Neufeld, at the Hope/Privett, Alexandra/Whittall Holiday Dinner last Thursday.

It’s been such a smooth and easy term. First, you must not leave campus, for any reason, unless of course, your parents have a reason for you to leave, and then you may leave campus.Uptown is open, but for you, it is closed, unless we have said it is open.Please obey all the instructions of stores uptown, unless they say you do not have to wear a mask; in that case, please wear a mask.We have to stay on campus until nobody has the virus, at which point you can go uptown and get the virus. You should not go to the Health Centre, unless, of course, you need to, in which case you really must go to the Health Centre, unless you are too sick to go to the Health Centre, in which case you should not go there, you should go to Woodward.We are open, so we do not have to be on Zoom, except for those times we are going to be on Zoom, like our house meetings, and our classes in January, which will be on Zoom so we don’t have to be on Zoom later.You must have your cameras on during Zoom, unless you shouldn’t, in which case you should not, so please turn them on.It is so important that you go outside for your mental health, unless you are sick, in which case you must go to the Woodward until you are better and you are not allowed to go outside.You must eat well and exercise, but the Foote is closed because we want you to survive … unless you are a day student.
You have all been wonderful.

You have cooperated and worked hard to be successful and to be here. I know I speak for each houseparent when I say, you are our family too. I worried about you in the summer, I worry about you now, and I will worry about you until you get back.

One of the best parts of the term is having the day students back in the Houses now. We missed them.

To Privett! You are #1 in my heart and, finally, also #1 in Interhouse. Long may it last. You are simply the best. But, if you don’t go away now, I won’t have time to miss you.

To Alexandra and Whittall! After countless practices and rehearsals, Alex and Whittall, as a cohort, and in a feat I don’t believe has ever been equalled, swept the competition and won every single category in Airband 2020. You are simply the best.

To Hope House! Only 12 prefects and a full week of Dining Hall duty. “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.” The Dragonfly has flown the Earth for 300 million years and symbolizes the ability to overcome adversity with courage, respect, and service. You are simply the best.

And I say this now to all Houses in the room. There is one thing we can all agree on: no matter who wins, it better not be MackEllis! Mr Ron Neufeld, Privett Houseparent

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