Quid est Veritas
In my assembly address to the senior house last week I took as my inspiration one of the most profound questions ever posed: what is truth? Pontius Pilate’s query to the Christ is as relevant today as it was in the first century, perhaps even more so. I think it interesting that Pilate never really hung around for an answer; perhaps he was not ready to listen to the response? As we embark on a new academic year I reminded the boys of the characteristics of being a student: a commitment to genuine enquiry, a willingness to listen, and the courage to question – even if that means engaging with answers or outcomes that challenge preconceived notions. Too often, it seems to me, we get this order confused and end up trying to make the ‘facts’ fit what is believed to be ‘true’. Causation is rarely, if ever, a black-and-white affair not least because human beings are complex creatures who all-too-often are quick to reach conclusions without assembling and examining the evidence in the round. It is definitely worth asking ‘what is truth?’ so long as we are prepared to run the extra mile in search of it.
Senior boys listened with rapt attention to Mark Ryan, author of Chariots Return -Saving the soul of the Games, which revisits the lives of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell who competed against each other in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Ryan traced the development of the Games from, what was in 1924, a gathering of highly-trained ‘amateurs’ to the uber-professional, monetarised, hyper-competitive event that we see today. He questioned the lengths today’s sportsmen will go to in order to win. Richard McMillan posed various questions to Mark in an In Conversation style format, which then inspired boys to contribute.
The assembly started with singing practice led by Elliot Thompson, who sings professionally at Ealing Abbey. Elliot is teaching the boys to sing Mass VIII, more commonly known as the Missa de Angelis; we started today with the Agnus Dei and Elliot did a brilliant job of explaining the historical and musical context of Gregorian Chant, which was so important to the development of music and culture in medieval and early modern Europe.
On Tuesday, boys in Years 5 – 8 listened to a talk on the life and ideas of Sigmund Freud, one of Hampstead’s most well-known residents. Stefan, from the Freud Museum, introduced the principles of psychoanalysis including a discussion of consciousness and, according to Freud, the hidden meaning behind dreams. In the first week the boys have been exposed to sport, history, music, culture, and psychoanalysis. That’s enough to keep them occupied, for the weekend at least!
Boys and parents may have spotted a fluorescent notice from Camden detailing a proposal to demolish the swimming pool replacing it with an astro-turf sports pitch and associated landscaping works. One of the challenges we face in the senior house is the lack of outdoor space for boys to enjoy recreation as well as timetabled Games activities. The swimming pool has been a unique feature of the school since its installation over fifty years ago but its age is beginning to show and it is increasingly challenging to maintain the health and safety requirements in order to keep the pool operational. A staggered refurbishment of the rear portion of the senior house will aim to provide boys with sufficient space to play as well as modern classroom facilities. The Council invites comments until the 7th October 2024.
The Junior House children, from nursery to Year 3, have settled in wonderfully to the new year. I was very pleased to meet with Year 1 and Year 2 parents and look forward to seeing Year 3 on Monday and Reception on Wednesday.
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