An evening with Dominic Sandbrook
To most people, a 3-hour lecture on the last 60-or-so years of British history probably wouldn’t sound like the best way to spend a Friday evening. To the Sixth Form History students of Concord College, however, the opportunity to have a talk from one of Britain’s most eminent historians, Mr Dominic Sandbrook, was something we greatly relished. The visiting historians and sixthformers from Wolverhampton Girls’ High School – who drove a good distance purely for this talk – felt a similar way. Mr Sandbrook has written multiple books on Britain and modern history, including titles such as “Never Had It So Good” and “White Heat”.
The event took place on Friday 3rd May, and involved Mr Sandbrook answering questions that we had prepared in advance. There was a wide variety of questions, involving everything from the truth behind the supposed “swinging” sixties to the premierships, Tony Blair and John Major. More globally, there was also discussion about the role of Britain in the Cold War, and the decision to join the European Economic Community – the latter of which is still particularly pertinent today.
Ultimately, the purpose behind this informal lecture was to help prepare us for our upcoming exams, by giving us a greater understanding of specific people and places, as well as wider and potentially more-complicated topics that we learn about in the classroom. Topics such as global politics and its effect on history, or that of social trends and phenomena in recent years. Needless to say, the talk was extremely edifying, and I personally feel that I have gained a new level of understanding of British history, and that the once-dreaded history paper now seems slightly less daunting.
Luke – 6.1
Finding My Voice at Concord
It is no surprise Concord holds a diverse and enjoyable selection of extracurricular activities available for students with a range of interests. Besides education, our hobbies shouldn’t be underestimated due to its contribution to our personal growth and character development.
An activity particularly popular amongst the community are the endless performance opportunities created by the school. Personally, my favourite non-academic extracurricular activity would be performing arts, specifically singing. These performances can be in front of a large audience such as at Theatre Severn, or a smaller and more intimate venue like the West End. It seems that over the year, the barrier of fear preventing students from showcasing their talent has diminished, after realising the audience has never been your enemy – but a pillar of support and encouragement. Especially in Concord, where positivity and kindness are such eminent qualities of the student body, every performance is welcomed with open arms. Even after many appearances on stage, my heart still beats out of its chest and my voice still quavers at the sight of a full theatre, yet the feeling of accomplishment outshines any discomfort brought on by nerves. Across the spectrum of interest, from computer science to arts, is an invaluable experience awaiting your presence. All that is required is a little time, passion, and trust in yourself.
Mia Nguyen – 6.1