Page 34 - The Badger - Issue 8

THE BADGER Celebrating 125 Years of The Downs
Heads of School Speeches continued...
“ I have known all year that I would have to stand up here and deliver a speech but that did not stop me from thinking, ‘What do I even say?’ I mean, I’m 12. I haven’t exactly climbed Mount Everest or explored distant lands. I took time to reflect on my time at TDM and it was then that I realised that I don’t have to discover new countries, sail across the Ocean, ride into the unknown to have something meaningful to say. Being Head Girl isn’t about being perfect or delivering a flawless speech. It’s about showing up, trying your best, and encouraging and supporting others to do the same.
Like me, you might have thought that being a leader means having all the answers, doing everything right, and staying quiet in class. But it turns out, leadership is almost the opposite. It’s about being brave enough to admit when you don’t know something, being kind enough to lift others up, and honest enough to own your mistakes. Sometimes, it even means confessing that you forgot about that test you were absolutely not supposed to forget! It is about acceptance and celebrating the individuals who make up your team - in our case the TDM family.
I’ve made my fair share of mistakes—some small, like accidentally calling my form teacher “Mum” (we’ve all done it!), and some bigger, like trying to lead a group project and realizing no one, including me, knew what we were doing! Making mistakes is how we learn to improve and how we learn to be leaders.
One of the things I love most about The Downs is how curiosity and individuality are encouraged. We’re treated like explorers—free to ask questions, take risks, and grow. I love how TDM ensures that there are lots of ways to achieve, not just academically or by being the top sportsman.
Our core values Kindness, Courage, and Respect help to make TDM the special school it is. Here, failures become positives. Making mistakes shows courage, highlighting your individuality, and with help and guidance you will be supported to strive forwards towards success. There’s no limit to what you can achieve.
Standing here today, it’s hard to believe my time at The Downs is coming to an end. I’ll never forget my very first day in Year 2. I was nervous, excited—and by the end of the day, I knew this was the ideal school for me. My classmates and teachers welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I belonged. That was kindness in action.
Respect is at the heart of everything we do at TDM. It’s about more than just being polite; it’s about valuing each other’s differences, listening without judgment, and understanding that everyone’s journey is unique. When we respect each other, we build a stronger community, where it is ok to ask questions, and it’s ok to try our hardest without feeling embarrassed. For me I know my singing voice would not have improved half as much over the years if I didn’t feel safe enough to sound not so great at first.
Courage isn’t just about doing big, scary things. Although we have done a few over the years - Drayton Manor trip, waiting for cast lists to be announced or even the dark tunnel at Boundless in Year 2. It’s also about the small choices we make every day. It’s putting your hand up even when you’re unsure or when nobody else feels able to. It’s standing up for someone who needs a friend. Real courage is quiet and can be found in all of us. It’s being yourself—even when that feels different. So, wear the shoes you love. Sing out loud. Dance even if you’re offbeat. Be bold. Be YOU.
At TDM, we’re taught that courage doesn’t mean being fearless. It means being brave despite the fear. Every explorer has to fail in order to succeed. If we waited to be perfect before we tried anything, we’d never try at all. We’d still be waiting at the edge of the playground, afraid to join the game.
Whether you’ve been here for seven years like me, ten years like a few of my classmates, or just a few months— your time will fly by. My advice to you: take on new challenges and make the most of them. You don’t need to be perfect to take part, and you don’t need to be perfect to be proud of yourself.
Know that every day is a new opportunity. Use it. Grow into the leader, the artist, the thinker, the friend you’re meant to be. ”
Nova
Head Girl
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