Principal's Blog

In the 700^th year since the death of Dante, the Principal celebrates the author of La Divina Commedia, examining his legacy and his work’s enduring influence on the modern mind.

As the internal examination season draws near, the Principal identifies some simple tips for improving student performance.

The Principal explores the story of Galileo, the clash with the Inquisition, and considers how a (post)modern education pursues a more pluralistic model of knowledge.

The Principal explores the themes of time and memory, how we experience these things culturally, and considers how students are exposed to these ideas in school. 

The Principal considers what it means to have belief or credit in ourselves, and explores how the cultivation of an inner life is crucial in fulfilling student potential. 

The Principal explores the idea that boys and girls learn differently, and considers the implications of this for schools.

The Principal recalls personal associations with sport before going on to examine the evidence for sport helping to improve academic achievement.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Principal looks at the theme of love, considering its images and history, and exploring what part it plays in a modern education.

The Principal explores a witty and informative Life of Nietzsche and considers what it has to tell us about the way we think and learn.

For his 75^th blog, the Principal considers the idea of light, its associations in religion, science, and the arts, and sees in education a potential for intellectual and personal enlightenment.

The Principal outlines the basic theories of how children learn, identifying one model in particular, and illustrating it through an Oscar-winning movie. 

The Principal looks at the enduring symbols of childhood, how they represent a darker fear of not wanting to grow up, and considers how schools must both protect children as well as prepare them for the adult world beyond.

The Principal explores the notion of authenticity, how this affects our understanding of nature, culture, and emotion, and how it shapes our relation to the world.

 The Principal looks at the relationship of Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, with their lover Cleopatra, and considers how cultural assumptions can affect our judgements – something students need to be aware of in today’s world.  

The Principal explores the idea of asymmetry, how it reflects complexity, adds beauty, and can prove useful in contemplating our relation to the world.