Dear OFS Community,
Stories often unfold in timelines and ways that we cannot begin to understand but reach a point where they come together for a reason. Every year, I try to find new ways to connect with Remembrance Day, in part because I see it as being so important for new generations to take a lesson from these darkest of days and more importantly to feel something; but perhaps the real reason is that I cannot make sense of it myself and by revisiting the past, we might find new messages of hope for our own future. Our Service considered the following story:
73 names are engraved onto two boards in the library; when you consider that Orley Farm School in 1914 and 1939 probably had a total roll of 60 to 70 pupils, losing the entire population of the school in 25 years is simply incomprehensible. This year, I introduced the school to Michael Mann, a former Orleyan who went on to Harrow but rather than taking up a place at university, enrolled into Sandhurst Military Academy and a year later found himself fighting in North Africa with the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards.
At the end of the war he was lucky enough to return home, unlike so many, but I wonder what victory felt like after the celebrations ended and the bunting had been cleared away – with 36 Orleyans not returning not to mention countless friends from Harrow and Sandhurst, I’m not sure how he found peace? His own story continued in Nigeria as he worked with the Foreign Office, and we lose track over these years but in 1957 he was ordained and in 1976 – 1989 he was appointed Dean of Windsor.
Today, Orley Farm pupils, staff and parents walk past this foundation stone countless times every day, so it was apt to pause and consider the connections and paths that brought Michael Mann back to Orley Farm all those years later. Having spent 13 years serving the Royal Family at St. George’s Chapel and Hall, it was lovely that he was able to open our own St. George’s Hall in 1983, a place where we perform, pray and reflect.
The week started with us reflecting on a simple idea – it's cool to be kind. There will always be disagreements, arguments, and conflict – opposing views to challenge our thinking, but it’s how we go about engaging and resolving these differences that need to be considered. Michael Mann lived through horror, loss, and pain. His story is an inspiring one and gives hope to us all. I wonder what stories might be told of this generation of Orleyans in the years to come?
Cool to be Kind
On Monday we started with a series of really engaging assemblies run in age groups to really unpack and build foundations in understanding bullying behaviours. It was fascinating hearing how children define ‘power’ and even more interesting sharing examples of TV characters exerting power, both for positive and negative outcomes.
What really struck me was that there were very few real-life stories in their experiences; it tended to be fictional superheroes or villains. Perhaps Netflix and Disney ought to work a little harder to pick up inspirational stories – having said that, as viewers perhaps we are feeding the beast? In these challenging times, perhaps we need to be shining more lights on real people and how they have and are standing up against abuses of power.
However, the most important thing to take home for everyone is asking what role we are playing in any given moments of power being used to good or ill effect? In every exchange, we all have a choice in the part to play and being aware of this offers both empowerment to us all as well as choice! The school has been full of powerful conversations and whilst arguments and disagreements will continue to happen, we are all better for the impact of this thought-provoking week. Regardless of the colour of our socks, or welly boots, let's stand together...
Headmaster's Commendation
So much has happened across this very special week – my weekly roundup usually captures this breadth but this week I want our community to really take time to engage with our past, thinking about just how much former generations sacrificed. In order for their lives to have real meaning, we all need to strive for peace and the reconciliation of inevitable conflict with greater understanding, by carrying their lessons forward with humility, purpose and kindness. May our remembrance not be passive, but a catalyst for greater compassion, unity, and a renewed commitment to shaping a more hopeful tomorrow.
Tim Calvey