When more than 300 Northwood boys shaved their heads for cancer awareness, their principal honoured his promise to join them – turning a fundraiser into a moving lesson in empathy, leadership and standing together.
Durban, South Africa (20 October 2026) – Championing cancer awareness and support at Northwood School is about so much more than just a school fundraiser. It is about showing up with empathy, strengthening community bonds and practising servant leadership – even when that means sporting an unusual haircut for a while.
Through the school’s Real Life Knights Cancer Drive held on 16 October, the Northwood community – family, friends, Squires and Knights – rallied together by donating funds as well as buzzing or colour-spraying their hair in support of cancer warriors and survivors.
The school’s Squires and Knights turned out in force for the fundraiser, taking up a bold challenge from their principal: that if more than 300 boys did the big chop, he too would shave his head at Monday’s assembly.
The boys delivered, and on Monday morning, so did their principal!
In a video from the assembly, learners gathered around Dr Shaw as one excited pupil shaved off his hair. Head Prefect Nala Shabangu also stepped forward to have his head shaved, adding another powerful display of solidarity.
“A brilliant moment of school spirit, leadership and solidarity, all in support of a cause that matters,” Northwood School shared.
The initiative brought the ethos of a Real Knight to life, showing the boys that true strength isn’t so much about the physical but can be found in compassion, vulnerability and standing beside people facing life’s toughest battles.
Watching their principal and student leaders lead by example inspired deep unity within the rest of the school community and, judging by the positive comments on the video post, has resonated warmly across South Africa.
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Sources: Northwood School
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