Past learners of Randfontein High School (RHS) fondly remember the legacy of the Amnesty Pebbles (White Stones) and some may even still have them.
Alexandra West, Head of Department: Computer Applications Technology, Consumer Studies, Commerce, Grade 10 teacher and Grade Manager from RHS explained, “In ancient times, stones, in particular quartz pebbles, were used for a number of reasons. The ancient Romans awarded quartz pebbles to the victors of athletic games. The winner of a contest was awarded a pebble with his name inscribed on it and this served as his ‘ticket’ to a special awards banquet.”
She added that they also used a small object called a ‘tessera’ (an ancient token), made of wood, stone, clay or bone which granted special privileges to its owner and was used as a token of admission to events in the arena. In ancient Greece, jury members would hand a white stone to an accused, signifying his innocence.
RHS has adopted this ancient Greek custom of the quartz pebble and uses it as a form of amnesty. What started out as a singular event at an assembly about eight years ago has now become an annual tradition. All pupils and staff members at RHS receive two amnesty pebbles at the beginning of the academic year.
These pebbles 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 alleviate your worries, be they academic, emotional or coping with a particularly bad day. From time to time we all need a little help managing our day-to-day problems and these amnesty pebbles are there to offer this help.
Learners may only redeem their pebbles with the Principal, Marita Henning and they need to be used wisely.
“So should you come across a pupil in possession of these valuable amnesty pebbles, know that they partake in the RHS tradition of paying it forward and forgiveness. If you ask very nicely they may just share one of their stones with you,” said West.
West quoted the Dalai Lama, who said, “Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects”.
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