Page 6 - I have a dream

THE ENGLISH SCHOOL MA GA ZINE 2022
DREAMING

OF MORE

DIVERSITY

AND INCLUSION

Interview with the Headmaster
David Lambon
Golf vs Education (0-1) disappointment, stemming from the thought of well if it hasn’t
been done so far, then when will it ever be? Fortunately, Mr Lambon’s
response was far from disappointing: “Interesting that you should be
Growing up we all have a certain vision of where we want to go asking this question. If you were a student starting the ES in year 1
and who we want to be. Naturally, how things unravel may not in September ‘22, you’d see there’s an addition to our curriculum –
necessarily align with that vision. Knowing that at just 19 I’ve already drama!”
had a cornucopia of ideas of what (I think) I want my life to look like Without even a slight hyperbole in the adjectives describing my
in five, ten years from now, and still not having fully deciphered reaction - I was completely overjoyed to hear this! Theatre to me, is
what the future looks like amidst the blurry view of my various something that everyone should try, and whether you’re an ‘arts
aspirations, I was curious to know: how does one end up being a person’ or not has a lot to offer. Our discussion continued on the
Headmaster of a school? what is the starting point of the merits and benefits of drama for young people. Through theatre,
dreamer whose path culminates here? one can improve communication skills immensely, build confidence,
If we look at our headmaster, Mr Lambon, as an example, one and cultivate the skill of empathy. For younger students entering
must start to dream big, dream boldly in the mid-teen years, and if the school it will be a perfect way to develop their language skills
you happen to be a keen sportsperson, that must surely encompass whilst making friends. Mr. Lambon added, from the point of view of
the pursuit of being a professional golfer! all-round holistic education, it can be a great way to “deliver important
headmaster’s interview
You will not be surprised to hear that, well, Mr Lambon did not messages, say on anti-bullying, in a far more subtle and integrated
become a professional golfer. He did however, obtain a scholarship way, and hence have a greater impact on the students. So, although
to study Engineering, through his academic merit; “I got sponsored change is coming at perhaps a slower pace than I’d like it to be,
by Shell to study Engineering, so at that early stage of my studies, I what we’re looking at right now, is reforming the entire KS3
thought I’d be some sort of oil executive, or you know, an engineer.” curriculum, to be more skills-based – instead of having subjects
The thing is, we change with time and experience, and as we structured entirely separately as they are now, perhaps they would
change, so do our dreams. In pursuing his undergraduate degree in work together on a more integrated basis. This is part of the plan
Engineering, Language and Management, Mr Lambon realised that, for the next 3-5 years”.
as fascinating as machines may be, he much preferred human Even as someone leaving the school this year, I’m eager to see
interaction. When teaching at a school in Belfast, quite similar to how that unfolds!
ours, Mr Lambon discovered his love of teaching;
“I actually began doing some teaching in university and I really How has covid changed the way we dream?
enjoyed it, so although I was set on a graduate trainee path with a It’s important to dream, it’s what propels us forward in times of
European company, at that stage I realised I wanted to return to hardship and times of mediocrity – the idea that there’s always
teaching. And truly, I think the best job anyone can ever have is something better to come. To dream, is to have an Ithaca – a reason
being teacher.” to commence your journey or continue your journey. What’s more
Dreaming of a more diverse important though, is knowing that ultimately the destination may
school environment... change as circumstances alter. Our conversation turns to dreams,
and the new decade.
with added drama more than ever for our generation. “You see, pre-covid, pre-Brexit,
Our dreams are painted upon a backdrop of uncertainty, now
04 this: what would I like to have Mr Lambon’s take on? As a student things were a lot more linear, more certain” – I agree, and “as cliché
When preparing for this interview, at the back of my mind was
as it is, the only way forward was getting accustomed to this new
who is interested in following a path that may be slightly normal”. In my case, circumstances have brought me to the decision
unconventional for the ‘usual’ ES student profile, I was keen to to take a gap year. It felt terrifying moving from the conceptualisation
know whether drama would ever see the light of day as a subject of the idea to standing firmly with it, but it was my way of adapting
taught within our school curriculum. As well as being an avid to a new reality and a new version of myself that needed to do
Literature A-Level student, I always dreamed of pursuing Drama things differently.
IGCSE/A level, so I guess you can piece two and two together as to Sharing this with Mr Lambon, he added, “maybe you decide to
why I went down this line of questioning. Whilst I feel more than take a year off to boost your skillset or move to Germany for a year
adequately prepared to pursue further education in English, I feel to learn German – even deciding that you’ll go right ahead to
like I wasn’t able to develop my skills in Drama at the same pace. university”. At the end of the day our way of moving forwards could
When asking Mr Lambon about the prospects of drama in the mean diverging from our path or perhaps just sticking to it, so truly,
curriculum, at some point, in the distant future of the school, I wasn’t “It’s about making the right decision for you, not for necessarily
sure what his response would be. To be honest, I was prepared for every person who influences you”.