Brentwoodian 2019

3 An Interview with the Headmaster Why did you want to become Headmaster? When I visited during the interview process in June 2018, I loved it and thought it had a great feel about it from both staff and pupils, and in that sense it was very similar to my old school. I also liked what I had read about it, and being a History teacher, the history of the School appealed to me. I liked the values as I am a big fan of using values in schools, and I particularly liked how Brentwood does that. Brentwood School just felt like it was a good place for me to come. What was your favourite subject at school? It has to be History! I studied Ancient History at university and decided to become a History teacher. I always enjoyed the humanities, much more than sciences and maths - I was very much a humanities student! In History, I love the story element to it and one of the things I love most about it is the fact that, although societies change over the centuries, people do not really change in terms of what motivates them and what drives them; in that sense we are very similar to people from even 500 years ago. What is the biggest challenge that you have faced in your teaching career? I have had different roles - I have been a classroom teacher, a Head of Department, a Boarding Housemaster, a Head of Sixth Form in two different schools, a Vice-Principal, and now, Headmaster. They have all brought different challenges. The most all-consuming job was probably as a Boarding Housemaster, where you are living with and responsible for that community of, in my case, boys between thirteen and eighteen, and that was one of the most rewarding roles I had and was simultaneously challenging in terms of being effectively on duty for 24 hours at times as well as being responsible for the development and well-being of thirteen to eighteen-year-olds as they did not go home, but stayed on a night-time and on a weekend. Although it was a big responsibility, it was possibly one of the most rewarding of my career. What is your favourite aspect of Brentwood School? The sheer range of activities and pursuits that there is here. We have so much on offer that whatever your thing is, if you look hard enough for it, you will find it here. There are not many schools that can say that. We offer the main sports, drama, music, CCF and so many other pursuits that lots of students participate in, but we also offer activities such as fencing and chess to a very high level. The sign of a great school is one where you can find whatever your niche is and develop it. Who is your biggest inspiration? Being a History teacher, it is a difficult question as I can think of many historical characters that fit into that term in many ways. In recent times, I would say Barack Obama. I remember the night that he was elected; it felt like a watershed moment in history, not just in American history, in having the first black president of the United States, given its history with regards to race relations. Whenever I hear him speak, I find him quite an inspirational character in the measured approach he takes in certain topics and the principles which he seems to hold. Do you have a favourite holiday destination? If given a choice between a summer holiday and a winter holiday, I would always choose skiing. I’m not particularly brilliant at skiing, but I would choose the active skiing holiday over a beach holiday. What is the biggest risk you have ever taken? As a family, it is moving from where we were from - the North East of England. We did not think we would ever leave the area, but I took a job in the Middle of Wales in 2002, where we had no friends and no family. It was a big decision and choice for the family and a huge leap of faith, but a positive one as we have met new people, made new friends and learned a lot about different areas of the country and we have really enjoyed it. Are you a big musical theatre fan and if so, what is your favourite musical? Les Misérables is my favourite musical and the school just happens to be performing it in a few weeks time. Matilda is another that we went to see as a family and really enjoyed. One of my favourite musicals is Billy Elliott , which tells the story of the North-East of England and the Miners’ strikes. However, Les Misérables is my number one! Finally, what piece of advice would you give to your eighteen-year-old self? I would probably say, “you are going to be okay. Do not worry too much. Try to live in the moment and do not worry about what will happen in a month or a year.” As an eighteen-year-old I was an overthinker, focusing on the consequences rather than enjoying and living in the moment. By Grace Cannell, Eshan Chopra & Matz Kiernan