Welcome to The Friends' School

Quakerism and The Friends' School

Central to Quakerism is the commitment to connect with the good in each person. To quote George Fox, the founder of Quakerism:

Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come; that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them. Then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone.

- George Fox, 1624 – 1691

A common saying amongst Quakers, which also finds its place within the School’s curriculum, is ‘Let Your Life Speak’. Many Quakers find ways to meet this call to principled action through service to the wider community, social activism and ethical business practice. The stories of historical Quakers whose lives were an example of letting their lives speak are included in the School’s curriculum and in the naming of student house and teaching groups. A culture of service to others is strongly emphasised in the School, including the principle of student leadership as service.

Quakers look to their Testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Earthcare to find values to live by. These values are the underlying principles that guide the processes, inform the relationships and are reflected in the decisions of the community. Together with the School’s Purpose and Concerns, and the Attributes and Attitudes of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum, the Testimonies articulate values that the School identifies as worth upholding.

Quakers are open to wisdom from varied and sometimes unexpected sources, but the writings offered by Quakers over many years, such as in the book, ‘this we can say’, and the pamphlet ‘Advices and Queries’ are a valued source. An example of an advice is:

Take heed, dear Friends, to the promptings of love and truth in your hearts.

At The Friends’ School students regularly attend Gatherings modelled on the Quaker Meeting for Worship, but which include guidance on ways of developing a reflective stillness of mind. The Gatherings often have themes for consideration, based on sources such as the Quaker Testimonies, the School’s Purpose and Concerns, or topics introduced by staff and students.

Parents who would like to experience a Meeting for Worship may like to join other members of the School community from 7.45am – 8.20am at the Meeting House on Thursday mornings during term time.