And suddenly the cold darkness of November has transformed into the fairy light bedazzled corridors of December. Festivities have started at Oxford High and corridors are bedecked in red and green, with all kinds of bizarre headgear and people sparkling everywhere. It is a time of year when this school, of all the schools I have been a part of, makes especially their own.
It all starts with Christmas Jumper day, where we raise money by wearing the most extraordinary creations, and raise money for others with the Christmas bazaar. Whether paying to name a polar bear toy, buying a hand-decorated tree decoration (mine was a reindeer), hand-decorated bookmarks or having a photograph taken with a giant inflatable dinosaur or Santa himself there is something for everyone. The array of ideas and creative ways to raise money is a real testament to our students and the way our staff supports them to try out their ideas in practice.
That was always part of my vision for the school, to empower our students to practise ‘real world’ skills so that they are prepared for the world of work while they are still at school. Whether it’s organising lectures, conducting academic research, organising academic conferences, fairs, food for the homeless and Santa Runs, our students make the most of every opportunity.
This is even more pertinent as we look forward to next year and celebrating our 150th birthday from September because we plan to make it all about the voices of Oxford High, past, present and future. I’m reading the book the Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams at the moment, which is all about capturing the words and voices of women in language. Looking back to the time where Oxford High School was founded and the vision of our founder, Ada Benson, who was passionate about the illumination of learning being available to all, it is inspiring to reflect that that vision remains our North Star today.
Whether it’s giving to others, to the world or extending the bounds of knowledge, our community knows what it is to give to one another of their time, their efforts and their treasure and always have. How we offer that may have changed (!), I’m sure that a pantomime written by the pupils for the staff to act was probably not on Ada Benson’s list at Christmas but I’m sure that same passion, curiosity and sense of spirit has always been a part of who we are.
We have seen that everywhere in the last few days, student interviews for university, Form Decorating in themes using the most unlikely materials with an eye on sustainability, House netball, hockey and dance as well as the beauty of the Carol Service and the exuberance of the school band, the trust and collaborative laughter of the staff quiz and pantomime. These traditions stand for the values of joy, of fun, of curiosity and exuberance and above all of trust and mutual respect. In a world that can sometimes be difficult and where peace feels fragile and brittle, it is a worthwhile reminder of that which is human, beautiful and expresses the best of who we are will continue to endure.
Ad Lucem,
Mrs Gardiner Legge