The annual Embrace symposium is aimed at creating a space where we engage with like-minded experts and individuals in exploring our role in the promotion of social justice and social cohesion in our schools.

The education sector is marked by a fragmented social culture which springs from a historic context. As St Thomas Aquinas aptly states we have a shared responsibility of ensuring that our neighbour achieve a good and dignified life. We must be the agents of change.

Part of our school's mission is to espouse the democratic values of justice and fairness. We ascribe to the principles of common good, cultivating stewardship and the promotion of active involvement in the practice of social justice and social cohesion .

The spirit of ubuntu: generosity, community wellness and togetherness.

At St Benedict's education goes far beyond academic acumen. Promoting an understanding and principles of social justice and social cohesion is an appreciation of the essential part of raising boys to become confident men.

UBUBELE, a community fundraising initiative, helps us to integrate the principles of social justice and social cohesion and allows every boy the opportunity to engage fully and actively in all the programmes best suited for his learning and development.

Access and participation without the barriers of affordability gives boys the freedom to excel in all areas thanks to our members' monthly contributions.

Headboy 2017, Bohlokoa Tlhomola, wrote in his introductory presentation of Brother's Keeper:

There is no doubt in my mind that it will grow and I cannot wait to see a St Benedict's community filled with men who are proud enough to say that they are their Brother's Keeper.

Brother's Keeper, a peers-based initiative sprang from a need to support College boys who lack the necessary funds to participate actively in the school's co-curricular programme. This crowdfunding initiative is a true expression of our community's social cohesion and care for those boys who lack the resources to participate actively in the co-curricular programme of the school.

friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Our Transformation and Diversity Team holds open forum meetings where conversations are explored about our own knowledge and experience of transformation and diversity and the extent to which we embrace and promote individual and institutional cohesion within the St Benedict's community.

The forum engages in conversations with the boys, parents and staff in a process that helps understand the individual's lived experience on campus. Going forward we will continue to focus on our commitment to develop leadership capacity around equity and transformation across the school and improve our school climate for diverse students, staff and visitors.