The 2025 Chronicle

from ethical dilemmas to political ideologies, each session presents a new opportunity for exploration. As a result, boys are constantly challenged to think beyond their immediate realities and to consider global perspectives. There is also a strong sense of ownership in the society. Be cause discussions are led by the boys themselves, there is an authenticity and energy that cannot be manufactured. It be comes a shared intellectual journey rather than a prescribed academic exercise. Ultimately, the Philosophy and Politics Society is not merely about discussing ideas; it is about cultivating young men who are thoughtful, informed and engaged – individuals striving to make sense of the world and their place within it, while seeking to shape a better future.

significantly, it inspires boys to consider their role in society and their potential to effect meaningful change. The society also exposes boys to the discipline of listening, an often overlooked but essential component of meaningful dis course. Learning to engage respectfully with opposing view points cultivates maturity and intellectual humility. In an age of quick opinions and surface-level engagement, this depth of conversation is both rare and invaluable. Boys are encouraged to draw connections between historical ideas and contemporary challenges, bridging theory and lived experience. This ability to synthesise knowledge across con texts strengthens both their academic development and their broader understanding of the world. The diversity of topics ensures that no meeting feels the same;

READERS AND WORDSMITHS SOCIETY

Master in Charge: Mr Jed Coventry Chairman: Thato Moumakwa

The Readers and Wordsmiths Society be gan 2025 in the upstairs library and contin ued to offer a warm, thoughtful space for boys who enjoy books, writing and conversation. Building on the spirit of the former Readers Society, the club en couraged members not only to discuss what they were reading but also to try their hand at creative expression. This was seen especially in the Valentine’s Ten-Word Story or Poem Challenge, which gave boys and staff the chance to be witty, concise and imaginative, and helped set a playful literary tone for the year. The society also benefited from being closely connected to the wider life of the library, and members were invited to take part in a range of fun and stimulating Media Centre activities during the year. These included Book Talk: Read, Share, Grow, the lively programme of Library Week sessions on topics such as neurodiversity, 3D printing, mind-and-body wellness, marathon running, barista skills and culinary experience, as well as the author conversation with Femi Kayode. The week ended with the library desk concert and open-mic night, where readings, poetry, music, karaoke, quizzes and games gave readers and writers a broader stage on which to participate and enjoy the creative life of the school. Later activities, such as the Spud Scavenger Challenge and other library promotions, helped re inforce the sense that this was a society connected to a wider culture of curiosity, playfulness and expression. Readers and Wordsmiths has therefore begun to develop a dis tinct identity of its own: reflective and literary, certainly, but also increasingly open to performance, participation and collabora tion. The society is grateful to Mr Jed Coventry for guiding it in 2025, and looks ahead with interest to 2026, when Mrs Melis sa Ross will take over leadership. Given her visible enthusiasm for reading culture and creative library programming, the soci ety seems well placed to continue growing in both confidence and participation.

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." – Confucius

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