Head's Blog | Real to reel | Embley School, Hampshire

I hope this doesn’t come across as at all cheeky but my Head's Blog this week takes a slightly different turn. Last Thursday, I was being entertained by some of the sixth formers at the Nightingale Lecture. The Atherley Hall was full, the room thrilled to the sound of debate and delight. In my little corner, the conversation was far reaching; from haute cuisine, to allergies, to holidays, to life destinations and how we make our dreams real. 

There is an unassuming honesty and realism which I always enjoy in discussions with students here; there is something in the way we do things that encourages, allows, expects them to have ideas and opinions and be open to share and keen to understand. We dug into the making dreams real topic and, as is the way of these things and having the jump on them by several generations (or so it seemed), they were interested in understanding what I was up to and how I went about my business. They seemed really keen to understand the 'why' of their school and my role in it.

Then the tables turned. Rather abruptly, one of them mentioned seeing a reel I made. Caught off guard, I was momentarily lost. My first thought ran to Irish jigs, cotton and then to 'pardon, my reel…?' They warmed to the topic, and my discomfort, seems they had all seen it. I was told I ran the risk of becoming 'viral' while others suggested that given everyone around our little group had seen it then it was already viral! Their comments were effortlessly charming, no praise through gritted teeth here, they explained how proud they felt and how they thought it captured their experience and the community they are such an intrinsic part of. So, from discussing the Real to watching the reel, over to you reader, I wonder what you make of it?...