Senior School

On Wednesday this week we held our first Senior School Assembly for the year. It was exciting to see student leader after student leader stand to invite their peers to join them in Chess, in Rugby, in Sports Pathways, and in an International Women’s Day Drive. 

This year as the disruption of the past season recedes into memory, we are asking ourselves am important question. As a school we are 105 years old in 2023, but if we were to begin a school again from scratch, what might we do differently? Which of our great old traditions and practices might we retain (or indeed revive)? Which might we rethink and enhance? And, which might we discard? In order for us to answer this question well, we must first consider an even deeper question; what sort of young people do we hope to grow here at BMGS? 

I took the opportunity of our first Senior School Assembly to invite our students to close their eyes and think about this question by imagining what sort of person they aspire to be at 25 years of age. Will they be young men and women who live bold and courageous lives… or will they be timid? Will they be the sort of people who treat others with respect and kindness, reaching out to those in need… or will they be self-centred? Will they be people who are actively involved in their communities, seeking to contribute to and indeed lead… or will they lead solitary lives? Will they be powerful learners, who are able to work alongside others to solve the most complex of problems… or will they be the sort of people who rely on spoon-feeding? It was fascinating to look out over the sea of young faces, and see furrowed brows as they considered their futures. 

As we consider the next 105 years as a school, we will be intentional in making decisions that we believe will help to grow outstanding young people. We know that in doing so, we will at times make both our young people and their parents uncomfortable. Our new approach to mobile phones for our older students is a case in point, as is our continued insistence on students meeting our uniform requirements. What I ask is that when students or parents find themselves uncomfortable with a decision we make as a school, you make a time to come and speak with us about it. We believe strongly in the importance of our partnership with our families, and believe also that when we work together for the good of our kids, we really can grow some outstanding young people! 

On a more pragmatic note – students and parents are reminded that next Wednesday 22nd February we will be holding a Pink-Themed Dress Day (students are to wear pink – or their School Uniform), Pink Day Assembly, and a BBQ to raise money for the McGrath Foundation and breast cancer research. This will be a cause close to the hearts of many in our community, and I encourage students to rise to this first opportunity to give back and become involved. 

Mr Owen Laffin

Deputy Head - Head of Senior School