Over the last week or so, in line with our assembly theme ‘Dare to be Different’, in both the Pre-Prep & Prep I covered how we might choose to respond if someone has a go at us for appearing, in their eyes, as “rather outré”. Outré is such a great word, and there was some very good on the spot, unrehearsed acting in assemblies from both Pre-Prep and Prep pupils as they had a go at pretending to be an unkind, sneering and dismissive character, unhappy at someone else’s seemingly outré endeavours!
Taking the plunge and putting yourself out there, behaving in a way that does not conform to readily accepted stereotypes or just simply holding an opinion that ruffles a few feathers (and then being heavily criticised for that) can, as we know from our own adult experience, leave one feeling somewhat bruised to say the least. I made the point here in assemblies this week that at our school individuality, and wishing to make a splash for all the right sorts of reasons, is something to be celebrated. Developing an acceptance of difference, and being able to do so in the absence of unkind and therefore unnecessary judgements, is a skill that I believe takes one far in life, and it’s been great to explore that in assemblies so far.
