An insight into the Heads of School – Holly Folkard-Smith
Apart from getting our names on the board and wearing a gold badge Adam and I mostly delegate. However, we do attend various events and conferences to discuss the school and commemorate events and people who have had a long lasting relationship with or who have impacted RHS. The past 2 terms have involved many services and meetings for these reasons and we would like to share them with you.
Last term Adam, Bella, Tom and I attended a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral, along with the choir, for the annual seafarers service to commemorate and celebrate seafarers all over the world. This was a truly special and prestigious service that we were all thankful for being a part of, as RHS has such strong ties with the sea and our naval tradition goes back such a long way. The day started off with the 4 of us plus Mr. Griffiths wondering around St. Paul’s, attempting to get cocktails and a rather expensive bar which then took more than 45minutes to arrive and by the time they were being served we had briskly left the vicinity. This was followed by service where we proudly marched the Queen’s colours down the aisle, along with other naval organisations and schools, towards the choir who took prime position at the front of the church. The service involved speeches and singing (nothing as good as the Holbrook sound) and extremely well-rehearsed marching- even though 5 people were out of step and didn’t know how to slow march. This event really was enjoyed by all of us and we were extremely grateful for being able to be a part of.
Adam and I were down to London again a couple of weeks ago were we attended, with Mr. Griffiths, the Headmaster and Mrs. Braybrooke, Admiral Arthur Phillips Commemoration Service (held 10mins away from St. Paul’s and 5mins away from the cocktail bar…) This service was special for the school as Arthur Phillip was an old boy who also happened to found and govern Australia. The location of this service was far less prestigious than that of the seafarers (held in a small church called ‘St. Mary-le-Bow’) and Adam and I’s jobs were far less illustrious as we were essentially doormen, but again was a privilege to attend. During the service a famous Aussie presenter (Scott Bevan) spoke about the beauty of Sydney Harbour and its global attraction which was shunned by the Melburnians in the audience. The Deputy Commissioner for Australia then laid a wreath on Arthur Phillips commemoration stone along with the chaplain. After a neat and reflective service Adam and I were invited for lunch, along with the Commissioners and lawyers and presenters, to ‘The Grocers’. The lunch included a reception (with champagne) and a chance to awkwardly stand to the side of the room and not talk to anyone because they were so much more than us. But the comforts of a familiar face were removed after we were all split up for lunch on various tables which pressured us to mingle with the rest of the guests. During a fine 3 course meal with a never ending supply of wine- donated by the Australian High Commissioner- Adam and I were able to hear the stories and backgrounds of very interesting and, some, powerful people which was an incredible opportunity and was really enjoyed. Adam and I even got a round of applause from the room after being mentioned in Sir Michael Savory’s (past London Mayor, Aldermanic Sheriff and Head of the Arthur Phillip Commemoration organisation) when he said that we should be proud for representing such an amazing and heritage focused institution.
Then last Wednesday, the step-in, better Head of School Tom and I attended the East Anglian Headmasters conference at Ipswich School to discuss various issues we felt had occurred at our respective schools. These were all independent schools located in East Anglia including day and boarding, for example Framlingham, Kings Ely and Woodbridge. Two key issues were put forward by Framlingham and Kings Ely that were focused on discussing metal health awareness and help, discipling you own year and the integration of international pupils. During our discussions the key points that were taken from them were the importance of having a good, friendly and well-trained structure of people who would be there to listen and help you cope with anything you are struggling with, and the importance of limiting decide usage throughout the day; which is ironic considering that we are an iPad school and to read this you’d have to be on some kind of device. Nevertheless, Tom and I would encourage you all to limit your screen intake, especially on social media, and talk to anyone who you feel comfortable with- a peer supporter, your matron or housemistress/master, a friend or Sister Sweeney etc. The other attending schools were also in awe of the number of social events we have at RHS such as the disco (even though this is a dying tradition), balls and events within and between the houses. This really does help new pupils or international pupils to integrate and get to know people in other houses so it was recommended that you take part in as many of these as you can and actively talk to people who you maybe haven’t before. Tom and I also brought up the issue of drugs and their impact on the school community which was followed by talk on how best to prevent or teach youngsters about how to deal with the impacts of drugs. This was neatly summed up afterwards by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Ipswich, Tim Passmore, who informed us of some cases that had occurred around the region of Ipswich and the escalated affects it has on people, their families and the community. To finish the evening Tom and I enjoyed the slightly weird presence of 2 more headmasters at dinner where we were able to discuss what our respective meetings had involved and what we thought of these issues as pupils.
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