Last weekend
was spent with some long-standing, very close family friends and we talked
about some great lines from films (as one does late into the night). One that came to mind straightaway was
performed by Rutger Hauer in Blade Runner. In this, the character Batty reflects on his
mortality and I love the imagery created:
"I have…seen things you
people wouldn't believe… Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near
the Tannhäuser Gate. All
those…moments…will be lost in time, like tears…in…rain."
Wow! How powerful and poignant. What, you may ask, has this got to do with our
College? Well, you must remember how
quickly the two years pass and before you know it, it will be time for you to
leave and move onto the next stage in your life. Memories will fade "like tears in
rain" or "like a river to a raindrop", and you must ensure that
you make the most of all that is available to you. Take control, don't sit back and wait for
things to happen to you. Enjoy your
learning, ask plenty of questions and get involved in the wide range of things
on offer: debating; Young Enterprise; music; competitions; visits; the college
newspaper; the Student Executive; drama; dance; sport and poetry. Remember, as Oscar Wilde said:
"Education is what is left
when all that you have learned in the classroom is forgotten."
I really love to see
the laughter, fun and enthusiasm on your faces throughout the College. I have been very lucky in being able to
witness this during my "learning walks". I am genuinely excited about the prospect of
our first band night on 15th October and our participation, for the
first time, in the "Shakespeare in Schools" production at Hull Truck
on 22nd October.
Last night I was at
our Corporation meeting and was saddened to hear about tales of the 'games'
that some of our competitors play to "keep you" at the school: special
assemblies; calling in parents for meetings if you have been to our College for
an interview; using students who have left our College to inform their peers
about how 'bad' it is at Wyke and ensuring that school events are 'organised'
to coincide with our Open Evening. It
disappoints and angers me that this goes on but I am delighted that you have
seen "through this" and chosen to come here. I hope that your experience is really positive
and I know that you will be really successful.
Ultimately, you will be the ones who will and can challenge some of
their lies and through your success, demonstrate the 'beauty of our
College'. The line from Oscar Wilde
comes to mind:
"What is
worse than being talked about is not being talked about at all."
Clearly, if our
College is being talked about then we must be seen as a real threat. We must be doing something right. Please continue in the same vein and do not
lose that "passion" to learn.
As I look out of my
office into the Library, all I see is a sea of people, quietly working and
focused on work. I am lucky that I get
to see and comment on so many of your personal statements and that you do
approach me, ask about things at the College and my opinions. Long may that continue. Enjoy your learning.
