Day 2 - 6 March

DAY 2

Engaging the Power of Driven Responsibility (Pt. 2)
Author: Divine Okorie, Chair - Speaker at "Progress in Action assembly"

This weekend, we are  looking at engaging the power of driven responsibility. Our focus for today is Engaging your inner Progression Voice.

Recall back to your first day at school . For some of you it may have been a couple years ago, for some it may have been September if you are new here. What was it like to be a new student, who may have been afraid of speaking up in front of new people? Or a big audience? 

Unfortunately (or fortunately), we are not going to be listening to your stories today. But while I have time here, let me tell you all something this afternoon that may be a reflection that it is okay to be nervous. 

Because speaking up can be daunting at times. Even myself, who is doing this for the 3rd time since October 2024, I always have it in the back of my mind “what if I do this, what if I do that”. It is part of your learning experience. If you are not failing or making mistakes, in my eyes, you are not winning.

Whether it is due to peer pressure, being nervous of what other people think, or just being shy, speaking up is not a bad thing. Especially when you are the one being affected. 

It is about having that resilience to be able to speak up and not be afraid, rather than to not speak and be afraid. Someone that is a fearless speaker may be nervous at times. That is normal. 

However, the fear comes from being afraid of other people. When you speak out regarding something that is affecting you, other people should not cross your mind.

And whenever it does, think: Are the other people you in that scenario? If not, then you have your answer. Do not let those people cross your mind at all. What you do because of you – other people are not your concern and should not be your concern to worry about. Worry about yourself, not others.

That is the most important thing you need in your school life. An example of this can be seen last year with the Bite Back Survey. It was online, but 200+ students from Y7-10 (20% of them!) voiced their concerns. The Bite Back team met with the Headteacher to discuss the next steps. It is in our long-term plan to deal with the issues on Catering. 

As you go through this weekend, let that responsibility continue as you receive another opportunity to do so.