Success in International Classics Competition

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The Classics department is delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Reuben (Year 7), who recently earned second place in the Junior category of The Classical Association’s annual Write, Speak, Design competition.

This international competition, run by one of the biggest educational charities for Classics in the UK, challenged participants this year to explore the question: ‘Why is Classics important?’. It invited entrants to create their own manifesto to be delivered in a format of their choice.

Reuben impressed the judge with a powerful and persuasive speech, securing not only a top spot in the competition but also a £125 prize. He spoke movingly about his personal connection to the subject and championed the relevance of the discipline. His thoughtful reflections and confident presentation in his speech are no different to his writing and speaking in lessons, and it is great to see him achieve recognition outside of the school for his passion and deep thinking.

Below is an excerpt from his speech:

Classics shows us how important education is for shaping people who think critically and make intelligent choices. Ancient philosophers taught us to ask questions, think deeply, and use reason and ethics in our decisions. Their ethics about politics and education not only connect to the past but also help us build better and fairer societies today.

Classics also shows us how emotions and human nature have not really changed over time. In stories about ancient civilisations, in books and philosophies, we see characters that teach us about love, ambition, fear, jealousy and courage. These feelings are part of being human and they stay the same, no matter when or where you live. By studying classic works, we can learn more about our own feelings and why people act the way they do. These stories make us feel understood as we realise that the struggles and emotions we go through are not new. They have been felt for centuries.

Well done, Reuben!