With this being Pride Month, you will be hearing about our exciting plans to celebrate those who identify as LGBTQIA+ within our school community, however, I wanted to talk to you more generally about the term ‘Pride’. Especially pride in oneself. I want to help you to be able to look back at your time in this school and be proud of what you’ve achieved and who you are.

As Year 11 depart to commence the next chapter in their lives, they will be remembering every test they took, every sporting competition they entered and every club they joined, and they will be proud that they seized every opportunity to help themselves develop into the mature young men they are today. It is my sincere hope that every one of you will do the same.

Year 10 completed a very successful period of mocks last term, along with several other year groups working towards end of year assessments. While it may not feel like the most enjoyable way to spend your time at the moment, the instant you receive your final GCSE results, I can promise you the pride will make it worth it. Pride is the first step in embracing our self-worth and bolstering our potential. This pride should not lead us to become arrogant or rest on our laurels, but it should remind us of the value we bring to our community. It acts as a catalyst for personal growth, filling us with the confidence to continue to work hard, and stay committed to that which makes us proud. Pride in one’s work ensures you are far less likely to settle for mediocrity and pushes us to ever improve on what we can do, in spite of adversity.

It is common for teenagers to compare themselves to their peers, but no good can come of this. You are unique and independent, and the only person fit to compare yourself to is yourself. Have you improved since yesterday? Have you spent half an hour revising what you learnt earlier? Have you taken an opportunity to try something new? This is the essence of pride.