It is safe to say that our annual Movember campaign has become somewhat of a rite of passage for our Upper Sixth boys. Every year we delight in the enthusiasm and creativity that each new cohort brings, and this year is no different as momentum gathers at pace to raise awareness and funds for this vital men’s health charity.
Around 80 Upper Sixth Form boys, affectionately nick-named the ‘Mo Bros’, have been out in full force, organising events and fundraising initiatives and secretly filming the famous ‘Mo Bros Movember’ film, in time for the big reveal next week. Even our Prep Boys joined in the fun to support the campaign when they were seen sporting a mighty fine selection of ‘taches last week.
However, one of the most important parts of the campaign is the serious message it delivers about men’s mental health issues, suicide prevention, testicular cancer and prostate cancer. An integral part of the Mo Bros’ role is to educate students right across the Upper School, as well as the Prep School and Bedford Girls’ School. This year, the Mo Bros have been planning and leading sessions to communicate and educate other boys. At a time when teenage mental health issues have reached record levels in the UK, the opportunity to talk and tackle issues such as mental health are invaluable.
At the helm of this year’s Movember Citizenship Morning were Mo Bros Zachary Wasterfall and Charlie Lawrence who, along with Sienna Macfarlane, Upper Sixth Former and Mo Sista from Bedford Girls’ School, set the scene for the morning’s activities and discussed the important topic of sexual harassment.
This was then followed by break-out sessions led by Bedford School and Bedford Girls’ School staff covering sensitive topics such as prejudice and polarisation, the impact of pornography, anti-bullying, self-harm, drugs and alcohol, positive versus negative coping strategies and becoming independent. Meanwhile, the Upper Sixth Mo Bros were busy teaching the younger boys about men’s physical and mental health issues.
While the Movember Citizenship morning is a pivotal part of the campaign, there has also been a wealth of fundraising, awareness and wellbeing activities taking place across school.
Silent auction – The fabulous Movember Silent Auction is back with lots including Saints and Bedford Blues tickets, signed shirts, Quarry Theatre tickets, vouchers for local restaurants, afternoon teas, hampers, a Brewpoint tour, golf lessons, haircuts and handbags, and this year the chance to bid on a flight for 2-4 people in a Beechcraft Bonanza G36.
Open Mic Night – Pupils from Bedford School, Bedford Girls’ School and Bedford Sixth Form came together to perform a selection of well-known, chart-topping songs in the Recital Hall.
‘A Path of Powerful Love’ – a concert of choral music by Nicholas Hopton – Listeners were treated to a lovely evening of music in the Recital Hall, with a retiring collection for the Movember campaign. The composer of the music featured in this “choral tour of morning time and evening time, summertime and wintertime” was our very own Head of English, Mr Nicholas Hopton, who conducted the small chamber choir, made of up staff, friends and family members. The audience were also lucky enough to hear some excerpts from the score for the upcoming school production of A Christmas Carol, played by the boys and conducted by its composer, Lower Sixth Former Angus Timmins, as well as a cello solo, composed and performed by Fifth Former Fraser Morgan.
Movember Curry Night – Hosted by Mr and Mrs Marriott of Redburn House, boys and their families joined for a wonderful evening starting with a quiz, followed by a raffle with a delicious, curried feast complete with naan, bhajis, poppadoms and all the trimmings.
Cake Sale – An epic selection of mouth-watering cakes, some ‘tache’ themed, baked by boys, staff and parents were sold at morning breaktime.
Mo Dodgeball Competition – Always a favourite to raise money, which, of course, is taken very seriously (although the boys’ costumes might suggest otherwise!)
Boarders’ Five-a-side Football Tournament – A boy initiated and led evening was enjoyed by our boarders when they joined forces to play a friendly competition of five-a-side football while raising funds for Movember in the process.
Physical Challenges – Some of the boys have set their own personal goals including Lower Sixth Former Eric Breslin who aims to do 144 push-ups a day, Lower Sixth Former Edgar Maddocks who will cycle 600km on his bike throughout November, and Jake Reynolds who has set himself a running challenge.
Movember Tug of War – Thanks to the generosity of the Parents’ Guild, who organise this event every year and buy the t-shirts for the boys taking part, this event once again provided a vessel for boys to demonstrate their sheer grit and determination. As is traditional, Old Bedfordian and Mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootton (78-87), came into school to umpire the event and present the cup to the winners.
Mindful Mo – Every Tuesday at 1.00pm throughout November, staff and boys are invited to meet by the ‘giant mo’ at the front of school before setting off for a half hour autumnal walk around Bedford Park.
Staff Bake Off – A chance for all our budding chefs to bake under the categories of ‘signature’ and ‘showstopper’. Cakes were judged first thing by catering and then sold off at first break to boys and staff.
Jams, Chutneys and Doggy Treats – the amazing Mrs Jo Law has dedicated hours of her life to making a wide selection of delicious jams and chutneys and treats for our furry four-legged friends and is selling them in school.
With one week left to go and the much-awaited Movember Film still to come, we are still only three quarters of the way through. Watch this space for further updates and, if you would like to show your appreciation for any of these events, you can donate directly to the school’s Movember page here or show your support and keep up to date by following this year’s MoBros on Instagram @bsmobros.