As your daughters navigate their life journey through Oxford High, we witness their incredible growth, not just academically, but also as young women finding their place in the world and learning who they are and what they stand for. Whether it’s being part of mO=On, the Conrad Challenge team, which you can read about in this newsletter or the operatic success ‘Dido and Aeneas’, today I wanted to touch upon two crucial aspects of this development: pushing boundaries and embracing challenge.
For young women, societal expectations can sometimes create invisible walls. As teachers and parents in their support network, encouraging them to question these limitations and to step confidently beyond their comfort zones is part of our daily experience as a GDST school. This doesn’t mean reckless abandon, but rather a thoughtful exploration of their capabilities and a willingness to try new things, even if they seem daunting at first.
Think about it: the first time they stood up to speak in class, the initial attempt at a complex scientific equation, the leap onto the stage for a performance, or even joining a new sports team. Each of these moments, big or small, involved pushing a personal boundary. And while there might have been nerves or the possibility of failure, the courage to try and the resilience to learn from the experience are invaluable life lessons. This is exactly why we have introduced the ‘Place to Shine’ programme where our students identify these moments for themselves first and then we recognise them publically in school because it is so important that women are able to talk confidently and with authority about their achievements as well as their less successful attempts.
Embracing challenge goes hand-in-hand with this. Life will inevitably present obstacles. I believe our role is to help our daughters view these not as roadblocks, but as opportunities for growth (and my daughters are in their thirties!). When a difficult task arises, to encourage them to break it down, seek support and persevere. The satisfaction of overcoming a challenge builds confidence and fosters a “can-do” attitude that will serve them well in all aspects of their lives.
So, how can we all nurture this development?
- Celebrate effort, not just outcome: Praise their willingness to try, regardless of the result.
- Encourage healthy risk-taking: Support them in stepping outside their comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment as we aim to do every day.
- Reframe “failure” as a learning opportunity: Help them analyse what went wrong and how they can approach things differently next time.
- Share our own stories: Talk about times you faced challenges and how you overcame them.
- Be a supportive sounding board: Listen to their concerns and help them brainstorm solutions.
At Oxford High, we are committed to providing an environment where your daughters feel empowered to take risks, to learn from their experiences, and to develop the inner strength to face any challenge. By working together we can help them build the confidence and resilience they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.
Let’s continue to encourage them to reach for the Mo=on one courageous step at a time.
Ad Lucem
Mrs Gardiner Legge