Expanding Horizons
Our Speaker Captains write about the mind-expanding highlight of their week: the Upper Sixth Speaker Series.
Every Friday afternoon, we gather in the theatre for the Upper Sixth Speaker Series – a key part of our intellectual enrichment programme. There we have the opportunity to hear from diverse speakers from the outside world, who talk to us about a range of topics – from life changing experiences (such as winning the world’s longest horse race), to possible careers or pathways. It’s a great way to transition from the school week into the weekend, ending the day with an insight into fascinating new fields of interest.
The speakers we have heard from this term so far are a perfect example of the sheer breadth of topics we’re exposed to. Film-maker and adventurer Leon McCarron came to tell us about his journey walking through the heart of the Middle East, from the individuals he encountered, to what it is like reflecting on a region in political turmoil following such an intimate experience. We have also welcomed South Hampstead alumna Sanchia Berg to talk about her career as an award-winning BBC news correspondent and the future of journalism, as well as Peter Hall – an ex-drug and alcohol addict, who gave us an honest and engrossing account of his fight with addiction. The incredible calibre and diversity of the speakers really helps to broaden our horizons and spark the imagination.
As Speaker Captains we get opportunities to choose and book some of the speakers ourselves; we are currently in the planning stages: finding out who our peers would like to hear from and what we think would be most valuable. For now we look forward to talks from Astronaut Suzie Imber, Baroness Susan Garden, Holocaust survivor Zahava Kohn and many more.
Article by Giulia, one of our Sixth Form Speaker Captains – just some of the 35 leadership roles available in the Sixth Form. The Upper Sixth Speaker Series provides a rich and varied programme of distinguished guests across an array of disciplines, encouraging our students to reflect upon and debate a diversity of issues and points of view.