Belonging at Bromsgrove

Headmaster’s Routh Assembly Address
Monday 28th March 2022

Good morning.
As we reach the final week of the Lent Term, we have two important rituals to observe this morning. The first is Mark Reading, should have been done at the end of last Term, but COVID got the better of us. However, I am pleased to say that this morning will be able to award the prizes for last year’s GCSE performances. And then, as is traditional for this time of the year, we have a number of sporting Colours and Caps to present.

A busy assembly then, but before we get started, I would like to inform you of one other event to take place this week. You may recall, when we returned for the start of the new academic year back in September, I spoke of the various global campaigns of social awareness that had occurred around the world during the pandemic years. The #MeToo movement, focussed on the treatment of women in the workplace. Black Lives Matter protests, that highlighted issues of racial inequality. Public outcry about the rights of transgender people. Concerns about sexism, religious discrimination, and more.

Understandably, when issues like those become the subject of national debate, you start to think about your own workplace. We like to think of Bromsgrove as a generally happy and respectful place. Others think so too. Our last inspection report called the School “a model of harmonious coexistence.” But it never hurts to keep checking.

All those social movements had one thing in common; they were all to do with how accepted people felt. How countries and institutions and even individuals dealt with diversity. And when those campaigns were happening, I wanted to ask you that same question. How accepted and included do you feel at Bromsgrove School? The problem was, at the time we were all separated. Stuck apart from one another in social isolation because of the pandemic. Not the best time to ask if you felt connected.

Today, even though the high profile some of those social movements have died down a little, the question in my mind remains. How accepted and included do you feel in your School? That matters to us. And so, now that we have had two Terms all back together onsite, I would like to ask you to give some thought to that question, by way of a completing a survey.

Because I want you to feel able to be completely honest in your responses, the survey is anonymous. Please don’t abuse that privilege. Stupid answers or, worse still, ones that are untrue, won’t help us to understand the true picture.

The survey has about 40 questions, depending upon what answers you provide. It should take you about 20-25 minutes to complete. So that you can do so thoughtfully and without undue pressure, we will commit the whole of Wednesday morning’s Tutor period to completing it. It will be conducted online, and a link will be shared with you at the start of Tutor time. Your Tutors will be there to assist if you don’t understand a question, but otherwise I would ask that you complete it individually, without discussion. It is your personal experience that I am seeking.

The survey has four sections. The first asks for some basic facts about your identity; you Year Level, House, ethnicity, gender, religion etc. The second section asks questions about your personal experience of how feeling included you have felt over these past two terms. Most of the answers are simple Yes/No, but if you indicate that you have felt uncomfortable, you are then asked to give an example. Please take the time to type an answer into those boxes – we genuinely want to know.

The third section asks for your perceptions of how accepting the School is of individual difference. That includes how accepting you think you are as a person as well. And the final section allows you to add any further thoughts that you might have about the issues raised in the survey.

Can I thank you in advance then, for being reflective and answering the survey honestly and with thought. Each of you is a unique individual, with your own particular make-up of personal traits and characteristics. Our greatest ambition is to provide a School in which each of you feels you belong. We try our best, and your feedback through this survey will help us to know if we are on track and where we should focus attention in the future.


Mark Reading
As mentioned, it is our tradition to announce the prize winners from the previous year’s GCSEs at the end of the Michaelmas Term. However, pandemic restrictions meant that the Lower Sixth were not able to attend at that time, so it is a pleasure to announce them today.

The prizes for best performance at GCSE go to:

History	Armstrong Dong
Combined Science	Billy McDonough
German	Cameron Owen
Art	David Corcoran
Latin	James Box
English as a 2nd Language	Jerry Cheung
Economics	John Kim
PE	Katie Murray
French/ Business	Hamish Schulze
Geography/ Design Technology	Joshua Graesser
Mathematics/ Music	Larry To
Classical Civilisation/ Chemistry	Oleski LI
Biology/ Physics	Sophia Meadows
English Language/ English Literature/ Religious Studies/ Spanish	Sophe Pover

Congratulations to Aarush Thapa, who has been selected amongst hundreds of pupils nationwide to take part in a live Celebrate Speaking event. This event is organised by the British Council. Originally, pupils across the country were invited to upload a video of themselves speaking a foreign language and Aarush uploaded a video of himself reciting a French poem. The judges were so impressed with the authenticity of his delivery that they asked him to then record a video of him reciting the poem in person. Aarush’s video will be shown as part of a live event showcasing the best entries.

Duke of Edinburgh Award
I would like to invite the following students on stage to receive our congratulations for completing their
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award: James Cameron, Olivia Chester, Polly Dakin, Toby Hill, Charlotte Holden, Tasha Malam, Ellie Roskell, Isobel Scott, Stuart Shannon, Prabhneet Sondhi, Fenella Stone, Arjai Sunner, George Vaughan, Agatha Warner, Luke Wilkinson, Elliot Willetts.

Young Enterprise
The Young Enterprise Award this year goes to an incredibly hard-working, dependable, and unassuming student. He has single-handedly manufactured all the products which are to be sold at the trade fair and always has such a calm and positive attitude. I invite Gordon Lam to receive the Young Enterprise award.

Colours & Caps

Badminton
The Captain of Badminton Leo Hemberg, who has been awarded his School cap, announced School colours.

Basketball
The Captain of Basketball Jack Ma, who has been awarded his School cap, announced School colours.
Cross Country

The Halstead cup for the most improved cross-country runner is awarded to Emily Dyer

The Captain of Cross Country Dan Goodwin, who has been awarded major colours, announced School colours.

Football
Football 1st XI Player of the Year is awarded to a player who has led by example in both effort and performance. This years’ player of the year award goes to: Daniil Dulko

The Captain of Football James Bayliss, who has been awarded his School cap, announced School colours.

Girls Football
The Captain of Football Louise Steenbergen, who has been awarded her major colours, announced School colours.

Hockey
The John Downey Cup is awarded to a player who has contributed fully during his time at Bromsgrove. This year, it goes to Kian Lau

Girls Hockey Player of the Year:
There were a number of good candidates for player of the year, and in the end it is presented to Natasha Malam

The Captains of Hockey Ellen Ashton and Kian Lau, who have been awarded their School caps, announced School colours.

Netball
Netball player of the year
This year’s netball player of the year goes to someone who has real impact when on court and always gives 100% commitment in both training and matches. The Netball player of the year is Madeleine McLeod

The Captain of Netball Madeleine McLeod, who has been awarded her School cap, announced School colours.

Rugby
The Perrey Thompson Trophy is awarded to a player who has made the most significant contribution to rugby during their time at Bromsgrove. This year’s award is presented to Jack Hodgson

1st XV Player of the Year:
This player has played with great commitment and skill all season. The player of the year is Oliver Bulleid

The Captain of Rugby Jack Hodgson, who has been awarded his School cap, announced School colours.

Swimming
The Captain of swimming Serena Cai announced School colours.

Table Tennis
Player of the Year trophy
Boys: Darren Hui
Girls: Karis Cheng

The Captain of Table tennis Darren Hui, who has been awarded his School Cap announced School colours.

Please stand as we say the Grace together.