It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair… ”
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.
The opening lines of ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ have been echoing in my mind over the last two weeks. Firstly, for ‘the best of times’, being recognised as Independent Girls’ School of the Year in the Independent School Awards has been such a terrific tribute to all the opportunities that our pupils seize so firmly and the ways our staff support them.
Whether it’s running conferences for hundreds of pupils from different schools nationally and internationally, attending sessions with our OHS Inspires Mentors from the world of academia on topics as diverse as ‘Power in Art’ or looking at linguistics through the lens of Ancient German – our students’ curiosity and drive pervades the school. Our sporting fixtures ranging from football to hockey, to netball and cross country, ice skating to eventing and rowing have been celebrated on and off the pitch. The calibre of our chamber groups, orchestras and choirs will be on show a little later this term.
The breadth and depth of opportunities available for our students and their voices, which guide our provision, continues to be exciting. Whether it’s extra pasta at lunch or a complete revamp of our Personal Social and Health Education programme which happened last year – and which continues to be reviewed – in order to make sure we are always relevant and meeting their needs. There is no doubt the Independent Girls’ School of the Year award was exciting, but I found the Sixth Form and Senior School Open Evenings even more invigorating. I loved seeing the pupils pride in their school; teaching staff’s joy in the achievements of their students and all our staff’s desire to talk about and celebrate our pupils’ experiences of our school. I said when I received the award that it was about ‘our pupils’ voices guiding us every day.’ That light is at our heart and a reason why OHS is such a special and deliciously challenging place to be.
But I also said that it is about ‘the worst of times’ and the stories in the news only serve to darken the world view. Whether it is the conflict in Ukraine or the Middle East, it is a hard time for optimism about the future. I have been encouraged, however, by the messages I have received from our pupils, who are keen to raise money and amplify the voices of all those who are caught up in these terrible events. The motto of Oxford High School, ‘Ad Lucem’ (to the light), has always been about the light shining through the darkness. Although I’m sure it is to represent the light of enlightenment and learning, it is worth us reflecting on the symbolism of the young people we work with also being those who bring illumination to the darker corners of the world. On Monday, we were lucky enough to have the lower school production of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. CS Lewis’ tale of redemption had the determination and principled innocence of children at its heart; I believe the same is true of this troubled fractured world to bring the ‘Spring of Hope.’
I wish you all a happy, restful and restorative half term.
Ad Lucem,
Mrs Gardiner Legge