Following their commitment to enhance pupil voice within the College, this year’s JCR continued to build upon the work of their predecessors by hosting not one but two Talks Inspiring Bradfieldians (TiB) events. Twelve speakers were provided with a platform from which to present discussions, ideas, personal stories and thoughts to educate and inspire their peers.
You can stream all 18 Talks Inspiring Bradfieldians on our dedicated webpage:
Presenting the first TiB of the year, Harrison (G) spoke about the power of sampling and how it has transformed music. The Sixth Former educated the audience with a background to the technique while providing some well- known examples and even unveiled his own re-working of the intro to the popular One Bradfield. Many Bradfieldians. video series.
“Never underestimate the power of your brain. Each night before an exam I visualised myself walking into the exam hall, opening the paper and being familiar with the content before confidently holding my pen and writing my answer down.” Liza (J) harnessed the power of pupil voice in her discussion on the science behind visualisation techniques and how it helped her to achieve her academic goals after arriving in a new country with a new education system.
Callum (A) used his TiB to talk about mental health and the stigma surrounding male suicide, sharing some eye- opening stats including that around 1 in 5 people aged 13-18 experience mental health issues. He closed his talk with a message of support for anyone affected by mental health issues, stating: “You are not alone, there will always be someone to talk to, your friends, family or a peer. It’s okay not to be okay.”
“If you had the opportunity to choose one film shot or angle that would define your entire career, which would you choose?” Shell pupil Paula (I) shared her passion for film in her talk on the impact of cinematography. She shared her excitement for the future of filmmaking as it is now in the hands of innovative, creative and unbiased thinkers.
Drawing from personal experiences with the London-based organisation Bloomsbury Football, Adam (A) discussed how the promotion of social inclusion can break down participation barriers in sport. He put forward the idea that through breaking down barriers social inclusion programmes can also help to improve physical and mental health before concluding: “It doesn’t matter who you are, sport brings people together.”
“Imagine growing up walking into bookshops and seeing faces on the cover that don’t look like you.” Vicky (I) gave a thought-provoking TiB on the lack of diversity in children’s media. She presented a balanced talk on how many of the characters we grow up seeing in children’s literature, film and TV and even toys, are white and able-bodied and how it is only recently that media organisations have begun to increase diversity in their stories and products.
Presenting original research on the different perceptions of women and men amongst her peers, Anna (K) explored the science behind mental health. She was able to shine a light on how far society has come to break down many of the stigmas surrounding mental health while pointing out that we are not where we should be with our education and opinions. Anna concluded: “Being aware of differences may help us to alter our mindsets for a healthier future.”
“Today’s capitalism creates selfishness; everybody is in it for themselves”, was the damning indictment from Lucas (H) in his TiB on the failures of capitalism. Talking the audience through a detailed history of the economic and political system, he concluded that capitalism could thrive in modern society but “to reform a failing economy those who partake must be willing to reform their morality.”
In his exceptional TiB, Tony (E) explained how curiosity is the fundamental force that induces us to learn. He explained that his curiosity “helped me cross an insurmountable obstacle”, as he was driven by his curiosity to learn a new language so that he could better understand the conversations of those around him. He presented energetically and proudly stated that “my curiosity is the reason why I can speak in this talk.”
“This beautiful country I gazed upon mere months ago is hiding the most obscene secret.” Inspired by a recent trip to neighbouring South Korea, Evie (J) presented the North Korean secrets which are hiding in plain sight during her eye-opening TiB. From idyllic mountain towns which are a mirage to propaganda on missile capabilities freely viewable online, Evie urged everyone to start taking note of the so-called ‘Rocket Man’.
TiBs also have the power to educate, giving pupils a stage on which to share a topic which is beyond the classroom curriculum but has piqued their own interest. That is exactly what Sasha (H) did as he shared his research on the French Revolution, which he described as “undoubtedly one of the most heroic and inspirational movements of defiance the world has ever seen.”
“Trust is the fundamental tenet that binds individual relationships and society as a whole, yet it is incredibly fragile.” What happens when that fragility is pushed? That is the question Alex (F) articulately explored in his topical TiB on the destructive powers of conspiracy theories. Leaning on modern day examples, Alex broke down the repercussions of lying and how trust is the cornerstone of every human interaction.
You can stream all 18 Talks Inspiring Bradfieldians on our dedicated webpage:
