A Term of Ideas: Shrewsbury Dialogues in Conversation

At Shrewsbury School we celebrate the all-rounder, and it seems reasonable to suggest that our Dialogues programme this term has demonstrated this, catering for a wide range of interests.

In the past week alone, we have enjoyed presentations (and just as importantly conversations) covering the power of education in refugee communities, rowing the Atlantic Ocean in world record time, and the ecology of soil! Approaching three hundred people have accessed these in person interactions, offering fantastic academic extension opportunities to pupils, and for all participants a chance to acquire knowledge and reflect on topics which they may or may not be familiar with. In a busy world, the chance to learn from experts in their fields should be embraced and I am incredibly grateful to our visiting speakers for inspiring their respective audiences.

Our Deputy Head of School Katie J (EDH) attended the first dialogue, commenting that ‘Dr Brown’s talk explored the complex relationships in the Middle East which has led to intervention being required by NGOs such as the charity that she cofounded. It was really interesting to hear about the work she does in the school holidays to help improve the lives of refugees by providing them with education. It was a very eye opening talk and Dr Brown was a very engaging speaker’.

Upper Sixth Former Oliver C (Ch) attended the talk from Old Salopians Captain Rob Cross (S 2008-13) & Major Rob Treasure (I 2009-14) sharing that ‘The journey of Team V3nture was an incredibly inspiring feat of physical and mental endurance. What stuck with me was that they highlighted the importance of friendship, camaraderie, and teamwork when facing tough circumstances, whether it be rowing through a storm in the middle of the Atlantic or their day-to-day lives in the British Army. Their passion for adventurous training further inspired me and solidified my plans for a career in the military’ 

Director of the Salopian Club Holly Fitzgerald helped organise the talk from Professor Simon Jeffery (Harper Adams University), and enjoyed an evening well attended by both pupils, parents and Old Salopians.

Holly said: “Prof Jeffery really brought the world beneath our feet to life with an interesting and colourful presentation about the organisms that inhabit the soil and their vital importance to food production. It was interesting to hear the discussion after the talk with the members of of the Salopian Natural History Society, many of whom are prominent members of the local farming community.”

Our next Dialogues visitor is Professor Mark Pagel, who is joining us on the Charles Darwin’s birthday. A Fellow of the Royal Society, Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Reading University and External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute, we are grateful for Mark visiting us to share his insights and expertise. Reservations for what will be an interactive and fascinating presentation can be secured here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shrewsburyschool/shrewsbury-dialogues-the-evolution-of-human-language-darwin-would-approve/e-rbvkgz

Details of our upcoming talks can be found here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shrewsburyschool

Head of Futures Chris Wain