RHS ESSENTIAL
In ancient times, stones, in particular, white stones, were used for a number of reasons.
The ancient Romans awarded white stones to the victors of athletic games. The winner of a contest was awarded a white stone with his name inscribed on it and this served as his “ticket” to a special awards banquet. They also used a small object called a “tessera,” made of wood, stone, clay or bone which conveyed special privileges to its owner and were used as tokens of admittance to events in the arena.
In ancient Greece, jury members would hand a white stone to an accused signifying his innocence.
At Randfontein High School we have adopted this ancient Greek custom of the white stone and use it as a form of amnesty. What started out as a singular event at an assembly about 8 years ago has now become an annual tradition. Each and every learner and staff member at Randfontein High School receives two amnesty stones at the beginning of the academic year. These stones can be used on a day when life throws lemons at you and you really just need somebody to lend an ear and provide a shoulder to cry on. They can be used to get you out of trouble on that one day you forgot to do your homework. From time to time we all need a little help coping with our day-to-day problems and these amnesty stones are there to offer this help.
So should you come across a learner in possession of these valuable amnesty stones, know that they partake in the RHS tradition of paying it forward and forgiving and if you ask very nicely they may just share one of their stones with you.
