Activist or Active?
Headmaster’s Routh Assembly Address
Monday 25th February 2019
Reading: Abigail Hughes (TC)
Thoughts of Jacques Cousteau, Ocean Explorer:
Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans. The sea is the universal sewer.
It is fashionable nowadays to talk about the endless riches of the sea. The ocean is regarded as a sort of bargain basement, but I don't agree with that estimate. Water is a blessed treasure, and it is our basic duty, if we don't want to commit suicide, to preserve it.
The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat.
We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.
All life is part of a complex relationship in which each is dependent upon the others, taking from, giving to, and living with, all the rest.
For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.
If we go on the way we have…, if we are not willing to change, we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect.
Good morning,
Welcome back to the first day of the second half of Lent. If you weren’t already aware of the fact, today is also officially World Chocolate Peanuts Day. Tomorrow is Levi Strauss Day and Wednesday is Pokemon Day. World Chilli Day on Thursday (the meal, not the temperature) and World Compliment Day on Friday (so be prepared to say something nice to somebody else). And if, by Saturday (which is Dr Seuss Day) you are finding these random commemorations all a bit frivolous, you will be relieved to know that the following day is actually a bit more serious and relevant. Sunday is World Wildlife Day.
So named six years ago, when the UN designated the 3rd March as the day on which the world should pause to reflect upon the other species with which we share the planet. Commemorated every year since, though a little different this year, as for the first time it will be marine based. The theme being: 'Life below water: for people and planet'.
The words that you heard from Abigail were spoken by one of the great oceanographers of the last century, the French explorer, Jacques Cousteau. A man who dedicated his life to preserving marine life and raising awareness about our reliance upon the seas and oceans. Not just by talking like that, but also by taking action.
Bromsgrove, of course, is about as far from the ocean as you can possibly get in the UK. However, wherever you live in the world, you are dependent upon the oceans. You all know that. From the very first Science classes you took, you learned that the health of the world’s oceans affects us all. Those bodies of water make up two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, 99% of its liveable habitat. They regulate our climate, produce half the oxygen we breathe, absorb 30% of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and 90% of the heat from climate change. Not to mention providing nourishment for more than three billion people. The oceans maintain life on Earth.
For those of you who have flown over them, sailed on them, swum in them or dived under them, you will know why we use words like “vast” and “endless” to describe oceans and seas. Yet despite that, or perhaps because of it, the fact that we perceive the sea and marine life to be limitless has meant that mankind has been quite poor at sustaining them.
As but one example, we are living in a time when it is becoming evident that irreversible damage is being caused by an astounding volume of plastic material finding its way into the world’s oceans. No wonder then, that protecting the oceans from our waste should become the focus of world attention this Sunday, urging us to take action.
I have a sister who is a dive instructor and a very good underwater photographer. Her shots are inspiring; an infinite variety of sea-life. Whales and sharks at close quarters, hundreds of stingray carpeting a lagoon, reefs painted in impossible colours by beds of coral. Yet there are other marine life photos that are starting to creep into the public eye these days that are not so uplifting. Images of seals choked after inhaling used supermarket bags, turtles strangled by cup holders, shellfish dead after ingesting tiny plastic pellets. Sights that demand we take action. You don’t have to dedicate your life and livelihood to becoming a professional diver or a marine biologist to do that of course. If you wanted to take some individual action straight away, just reducing your personal use of plastic would help. Convincing others to do the same would be even better. I am very conscious that there is a strong lobby amongst some of you for better recycling in the School at the moment, a cause that I wholeheartedly support.
I encourage you to take action, but make it real, make it personal and make it effective. That holds for any cause in which you believe, not just World Wildlife Day. Some of you may have been aware of a piece of student activism that happened in the UK on the last Friday before Half-Term. Copying an event in Sweden last year, groups of pupils in some schools around the country tried to organise a strike in protest at the impending effects of climate change. I am grateful that none of you suggested taking part.
Not because I don’t think that the cause is a worthy one, for it most certainly is. The impact of climate change is arguably the greatest threat that faces your generation. Whether you believe that is the fault of those of us who lived before you or whether you think that the rapidly warming Earth is simply a natural phenomenon, you have every right to be asking what is being done today to protect your tomorrow. Every right to be concerned, to make your voice heard, to take action.
But what action? What can you do that might make a difference? Not a school strike, that’s for certain. Those pupils who took part may have been well intentioned, but what did they achieve? Workers go on strike as a form of protest, to deprive their employers of labour and income. To make it hurt until they get a change. The only people deprived by a school strike are the students, who lost part of their education. Their so-called strike hurt no one but themselves.
One of the pupils interviewed that day described herself as an activist. Different people will hear that word with different ears. Some may be proud to be called an activist. Perhaps it conjures up images of those who brought about great social reform in the past. Emily Pankhurst and the suffragettes, protesting for women’s rights. John Fielden, fighting for better conditions for factory workers and an end to child labour. John Adams and the abolitionists, battling to bring about an end to slavery.
For many today though, the label “activist” perhaps now has more negative connotations. To be called an activist is often associated with unfocussed anger, rude disruption, nasty online trolling, even vandalism and violence. Just last month, memorials to those who gave their lives defending London during the Blitz were defaced. Splattered with paint thrown by people calling themselves activists.
Neither is so-called “hashtag activism” actually worth much (in my humble opinion). Clicking “Like” or “Dislike” or adding a virtue signalling hashtag to something you post online might be an action, but it is only a virtual one and often fairly irrelevant if you really want to make a difference. Petitions, whether signed or online, have their place in expressing the view of the people, but they are limited in actually creating change. Clicking “Like” might eventually reduce pollution, but cutting down on your own personal use of plastic bags or cups definitely will.
My point being, there is a difference between activism and being active. If you want to be an activist, that’s your right. If you want to be active, that’s an obligation. It seems to me that sometimes those who call themselves activists are more interested in being known as someone who makes a difference. As opposed to those who get on and simply take action because all they want is for the difference to happen. If you are genuinely concerned about an issue, you have a responsibility not just to speak, but to act. To lead by example, relying not on what you say you are, but what you actually do, just as Jacques Cousteau did.
Presentations
Congratulations to Josh Osborn-Patel and Vincent Li who both qualified for the final of The Bromsgrove Young Musicians' Platform, having made it through from 2 days of high quality auditions. I am delighted to announce that Vincent won the competition and I invite him forward to receive our congratulations.
Sam Sung and Elsa Tsia competed in the West Midlands Age Group Fencing competition recently, with Elsa finishing 5th overall in the under 16 girls’ event. Sam was fencing in the under 16 boys’ event, where he won all 8 pool fights and his quarter and semi-finals, before finishing 2nd in a thrilling spectacle of a final that ended 14-13.
Both now qualify for the British Youth Championships National Age Finals and I invite them forward to receive our congratulations.
Junior House Hockey
B Team Competition
3rd Lyttelton / 2nd Lupton / 1st Walters
A Team Competition
3rd Wendron Gordon / 2nd Lupton / 1st Lyttelton
Senior House Hockey
3rd School House / 2nd Wendron Gordon / 1st Lupton
I invite all three captains of the winning teams forward to receive their trophies.
Junior House Football
Cup: 3rd:Walters / 2nd: Wendron Gordon / 1st: Lupton
Plate: Runners up: Lyttelton & Lupton/Winners: Walters
I invite the Lupton and Walters captains to receive their trophies.
Review
The Broms Rover robotics team attended the VEX event at Stowe School, competing against teams who had travelled from all over the world. The quality of engineering was fantastic and the Bromsgrove team made it through the preliminary stages into the top 16, but were unfortunately knocked out before reaching the quarter finals. However, they have worked tirelessly over the past few months to build, design and programme a working robot, and are to be congratulated on a great performance.
Archive Club Interview
Congratulations also to the students who interviewed Dr Bramley before Half Term. He enjoyed meeting and sharing his recollections with you, not to mention hearing about your own experiences in School today. Well done on your research and your hospitality.
Hockey
The boys 1st XI beat Malvern College 4-1.
Congratulations also to the U16 team who beat Rugby School 4-1 in a national cup match.
Squash
The squash team fielded 12 players in their last match against Solihull, all played in great spirit and resulting in Bromsgrove winning 9 of the 12 games.
Preview
Mock examinations this week for U6th A Level and ALP.
The Marmite Society provides enrichment and extra challenge for those who wish to extend themselves academically. Seminars L6th will continue on Monday lunchtimes for three more weeks. 4th & 5th Formers should respond Dr Ruben as soon as possible concerning the resumption of their seminars on Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes. Others are welcome to contact Dr Ruben if you would like to join.
OB Taome Jennings (Hz) is now studying at Exeter University and will be in School tomorrow, Tuesday 26 February, to talk to offer holders and 6th Formers who are interested in applying to this popular university. If you are in the U6 and hold an offer to study at Exeter, or L6 and considering Exeter, please email Miss Leech for a seat. Start time 1.25pm in the Lecture Theatre.
Dan Hackett, from the Army Careers Service, will also be in School on Tuesday 26th February. There will be a group presentation at 1.25pm in Futures, followed by individual appointments for 5th & 6th Formers. If you would like to attend the presentation or have a one-to-one chat with Mr Hackett, please email Miss Leech.
Loughborough University will be visiting on Thursday 28 February to give students an overview of the university and why you may like to apply. If you are holding an offer to study at Loughborough or considering applying there for 2020, please email Miss Leech for a seat. The presentation starts at 1.25pm in the Lecture Theatre.
On Thursday this week, the Music Department will be holding a concert called ‘Orchestra in a Day’ involving pupils from all four Bromsgrove Schools – the youngest coming from Year 2 in the Pre-Prep – who will perform four orchestral favourites in a concert at 4.15pm.
There will also be performances from the three Advanced Solo winners of the House Music Competition. All are welcome to attend to support and enjoy some great music.
Further to my earlier remarks, the School’s acknowledgement of World Wildlife Day will take place this Friday lunchtime in the Lecture Theatre, consisting of presentations on endangered marine life and quizzes with prizes to be won. There will also be a chance to observe and interact with live animals.
Finally, we very much look forward to the Cultures Connect concert in Routh Concert Hall this Saturday.
Please stand as we say the Grace together.