Routh Address
Monday 28th April 2025
From Becoming by Michelle Obama: My parents had drilled into me a simple maxim: work hard, laugh often, and keep your word. These were the values I grew up with. No one had to teach me that work was important; it was built into me. It wasn’t about recognition or rewards; it was about making sure that we could hold our heads up high at the end of the day, knowing we had done our best.
I was good at law school. I could handle the academic rigor. But I started to realize that this world wasn’t for me. I was beginning to feel more and more that I wanted to make a different kind of impact — one that involved real people. I was finding my purpose and discovering that my happiness didn’t have to come from one single thing. Purpose is not about achieving some lofty goal, it’s about being authentic, about listening to what feels right for you, and using that as the compass to guide you through the maze of life. There is no perfect formula for finding your purpose. It’s an evolving journey, shaped by the people you meet, the experiences you have, and the moments of self-reflection. It takes time, and it takes a willingness to be open to change
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a really happy Easter. Wherever you were in the world, I hope you found some time to relax, reflect on the world beyond Bromsgrove, and enjoy the company of family and friends. During term time, we all get caught up in the busyness and all that we need to do. Hopefully, the holidays offered a chance to step back, put things in perspective, and reflect on the impact of our efforts — both on ourselves and on others.
As the American philosopher and education reformer John Dewey said: "We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience."
This morning, I want to briefly reflect on the Senior School Academic Quiz shared by Dr. Rimmer just before the end of last term. As part of that quiz, you were asked: "If you became Grand Ruler of the World, what would you do?" Would you make something illegal? Would you make something compulsory? Or would you choose to make no new rules at all?
For those who opted to make something illegal, you proposed prohibiting violence, war, vaping, smoking, excessive drinking, dishonesty in court, hateful speech, and (I’m pleased to say) unjustified school absence. You also suggested protecting truth, ensuring affordable food for all, defending LGBTQ+ rights, promoting evidence-based beliefs, and guaranteeing equal opportunities in sport, regardless of gender.
Those who chose to make something compulsory envisioned a world where kindness, open-mindedness, and respect are non-negotiable. Under your leadership, people would play rugby, apply to university, and stay in school until the age of 18. Recycling, charity work, and working toward greater equality would be required, and everyone would read a book of their choice at least once a year and all would write a daily reflection which they would share with someone relevant.
Thank you to all who shared your reflections. The rest of us now have the chance to consider whether life under your leadership would make the world better or worse! On the whole — and I know Dr. Rimmer shares this view — I thought much of what you suggested was thoughtful, meaningful, and focused on improving not just our own lives but the lives of others too.
Regardless of our religious beliefs, many of us will have heard of the passing of Pope Francis a week ago, someone who did indeed seek to improve the lives of others. Reflections on his life describe him as a spiritual leader whose gentleness, humility, and sense of justice touched people far beyond the Catholic Church. Pope Francis believed that the best leadership is not about power, but about service. He showed us that true influence is earned — not through authority, but by choosing kindness and truth, even when those choices are difficult. He challenged us to remember that every person, no matter how small or forgotten, matters.
The extract read to us so well by Anya comes from Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming. Growing up in a working-class family in Chicago, Michelle’s parents valued education and instilled in her the importance of hard work, determination, and self-belief. After graduating from Princeton University and Harvard Law School, she had a successful career as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady of the United States. In her book, she explains the meaning behind her choice of title: Becoming is about never giving up on the idea that there’s more growing to be done. It’s not about arriving at a destination, but about the journey — the steps we take forward. With each new challenge, we learn and evolve, becoming stronger, wiser, and more confident. Becoming is about our continuous process of growth.
All of us face a busy term ahead, filled with work, exams, and countless opportunities, but the nine weeks until Commemoration Day on June 28th will pass so quickly. In that time, we will face a variety of experiences and the odd challenge.
However, every so often, it’s worth taking time to reflect — as one of the future grand rulers of the world suggested in the quiz. It’s worth reflecting on the purpose of what we’re doing, the impact it’s having on us, and how we’re contributing to the community around us. As Michelle Obama writes in Becoming, "It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and feel like you’re not getting anywhere, but sometimes you have to stop and acknowledge where you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going."
While it’s tempting to focus solely on the next goal, she reminds us that every step we take, no matter how small, contributes to our ongoing transformation. Obama continues: progress is not always about perfection. It’s about showing up, evolving, and appreciating the path we’re on, knowing that with each step, we’re moving closer to becoming the people we’re meant to be.
Have a really good term.