The power of the thistle
This week more university offers came in from a wonderful range of universities across the country and world, as our grade 12s begin to consider their futures beyond ISA. Over the coming weeks Grade 11s will be talking about careers and university options with our university counsellor following their Morrisby testing. This got me thinking about the name of this blog, and former school logo: the thistle.
Thistles perfectly sum up the ISA experience. They are both local and global.
Thistles are the oldest national emblem flower in the world - and were chosen following the Battle of Largs in the thirteenth century. Some Viking visitors were trying to sneak up on resting Scots, and took their shoes off to be quiet. Some of the Vikings trod on thistles, and their cry alerted the resting Scots, and saved the day. The thistle was elevated to the national flower. But even in this story, we can see the rich history of navigation, migration and settlement that marks a location like Scotland, or a port city like Aberdeen. There is a long history of local and global connections.
But more, the thistle suits us, as it ultimately has one purpose - to let the downy seeds, be released from the flower head on the wind and make their way into the world. Thistle seeds are remarkably good at dispersing and setting widely; they are resilient and robust; they thrive almost anywhere; and they are a marvel. What better image for our grade 12 global citizens, as the flower begins to burst, and they begin to be loosened onto the currents and breezes that will carry them to their new experiences?
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