Oxford High School recently hosted the annual OWLs (Oxford and Wimbledon Leading Scholars) Symposium, an exciting event that brought together talented Year 12 students from OHS and Wimbledon High School GDST. This year’s theme, ‘Encounters,’ was introduced by OHS Inspires mentor, Mr Stephan Nitu, who delivered an inspiring keynote address on the transformative power of encounters in both academic and personal contexts.
The OWLs programme, a collaboration between students at Oxford and Wimbledon High Schools, allows students to go beyond their A-Level studies and engage in interdisciplinary research. Through individual and group projects, students explore complex topics from multiple angles, fostering critical thinking and creativity. This year’s ‘Encounters’ theme encouraged students to investigate how encounters – whether between ideas, cultures, or individuals – shape our understanding of the world.
Students met to gather their ideas for essays which will be published in the OWLs Quarterly, an online journal that features contributions from leading academics and students. The symposium highlighted the impact of OWLs in connecting students across the GDST community, offering opportunities for academic growth and social engagement.
The OWLs programme continues to inspire and challenge students to think outside the box and expand their intellectual horizons. We look forward to seeing how future ‘encounters’ will shape the next generation of scholars.