Bedford School is probably unusual as a Senior Public School in that (in addition to a weekly Chapel service) the Head Master holds two full school assemblies in the Great Hall each week. Each Monday there is a talk from the Head Master and then a talk from another member of the community (often a staff member, but sometimes a current pupil or old boy or indeed visitor) on Friday.
The aim of these assembly talks is to get boys to think, but the talks also encourage groundedness and a sense of gratitude for what they have. Topics are regularly values-based (not only our four core values of integrity, responsibility, endeavour and curiosity; but also kindness, empathy and the ‘old-fashioned’ values of duty and respect). However, speakers also draw on current affairs, ethical issues, our sense of shared history and (as part of our wider UK educational duty) ‘fundamental British values’. We hope these assemblies convey an idea of Head Master’s own values and interests, whilst also providing something of a record of weekly affairs in the school and the wider world.
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Rules
Every school and every organisation has rules and policies. Indeed, the very world of...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Holocaust Memorial Day
Next Saturday, exeat weekend, is Holocaust Memorial Day. Like Remembrance Sunday, this is a...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Doucoure’s Goal
The headline in the Sunday Times sports section yesterday was “Doucoure robs Southampton”. The...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Five Ideas For Life
At the end of 2017, a talk by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was named by...
Final Assembly – December 2017
Good morning boys; today is the last opportunity of the year to enjoy singing...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Language
You will know by now that I am interested in languages. I did Latin,...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: The Story of Rhampsinitus
Two weeks ago, I introduced you to Herodotus, the Greek Historian, father of History,...
Head of English Assembly Talk: The OB behind Puffin Books
OB Noel Carrington (03-13) proved a fascinating figure for boys and staff alike when...
Head Master’s Assembly Talk: Ancient Curiosity
One of our core values is curiosity. So today I offer a strange set...
