Last week, pupils were competing for the coveted title of ‘Musician of the Year’. It is always a highlight of the school calendar, with over 80 submissions across two categories, eventually narrowed down to two finals according to standard. To see young people perform with such poise and skill is incredibly impressive, whether they are beating out the rhythms of Song 2 on the drums, playing Mist Covered Mountains on the Bagpipes, or singing everything from Adele to Ave Maria so beautifully. On the surface, it appears to be all about musical talent – but, as ever, there is more to it.
In our recent Head’s Assembly, we heard from a pupil in the Fifth Form who delivered a speech entitled ‘There can be no courage unless you are scared’. Having recently won a public speaking competition, this was an opportunity to showcase and celebrate her skills – but the message was just as important. She spoke about the way we often see courage and fear as antonyms: to be scared is to be weak, whilst to be courageous is to be strong. In practice, of course, courage is the force that helps us overcome fear. No doubt, standing in front of an audience of her teachers and peers was daunting – but courage enabled her to speak clearly and captivate those listening.
Each week, pupils perform in the Corinthian Concert and Cake – a ‘low-stakes’ concert that allows them to play to a small audience of their peers. Some performances are more polished than others – and that is exactly as it should be. Sometimes the performer plays a wrong note, gets a bit lost, or loses their nerve, but they are encouraged to gather themselves and carry on. Likewise, the Drama Department prepares all pupils in the First and Second Form for a performance in front of parents – an experience that can feel scary for many, but which offers a valuable opportunity to show courage.
Being scared is not a pleasant feeling, and it is understandable that many default to ‘playing it safe’. Teenagers, in particular, are neurologically inclined to conform. Yet playing it safe limits one’s potential and can close off opportunities. Often, adults inadvertently model this behaviour. Education, however, should provide a secure environment in which children are encouraged to try new things, to risk getting things wrong, and to learn from their mistakes. At Cokethorpe, this is why the cocurricular programme is so important. Climbing is not only for children who already love heights – it is for those who have never tried it. Kayaking is not only for those who enjoy the water – it is for those willing to try something new. The Music Department’s Instrumental Scheme programme, through which all children in Years 4 and 7 receive free one-to-one tuition on an instrument of their choice, is not designed for accomplished musicians – it is for those who have not yet had the chance.
Of course, courage is not just about trying something new. Sometimes, it is about standing up for something you believe in or offering an idea in class. For some, courage emerges when applying to university or when making decisions about GCSE subject choices.
Each of the pupils who performed in the ‘Young Musician of the Year’ final showed courage – overcoming the fear of performing in front of a professional judge and an audience of parents, teachers, and their peers. The pupil who stood up in assembly to deliver her speech on courage illustrated her point vividly: unless we allow ourselves to be scared, we cannot be courageous. What frightens us is a deeply personal matter, which makes it all the more important that we, as teachers, know our pupils well so that we can guide and support them appropriately, ensuring that courage can flourish.
Mr Andrew Uglow
(Deputy Head Academic)
