18 / 28
18
ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Expanding Horizons
By Fiona Wickens, Head of the Woodstock Group
Trading Places
The Teddies Exchange Programme
By Fiona Wickens, Head of Sixth Form and Exchange Co-ordinator
The Woodstock Group is the senior
society for scholars and exhibitioners
though all members of the Fifth and
Sixth Forms are welcome to attend. We
meet fortnightly either as a whole or in
smaller groups. The aim of Woodstock
is to provide pupils with additional
opportunities to expand their intellectual
horizons. We aim to encourage lateral
thinking, confidence when presented with
unfamiliar and challenging material and an
enhanced sense of intellectual community.
This year we have, for example, enjoyed
the stimulating company of Professor
Deborah Eyre (Former Director of
the National Academy for Gifted and
Talented Youth) as we looked at uncapped
intelligence and resilience; explored the
portrayal of “male” and “female” brains,
and gender in the media; shared our
reactions to the links between philosophy
and renaissance art by studying Piero di
Cosimo’s painting,
The Forest Fire
, and
Lucretius’ poem,
De Rerum Natura
; and
debated the nature of freedom of speech.
We have also experimented with thinking
skills in Socratic circles and learnt about,
and tried, Mindfulness techniques. Next
Sarah Kulubya
(St Andrew’s School,
Kenya)
on theWoodstock Group
The Woodstock Group has provided
me with the opportunity to flex my
intellectual muscles in a stimulating
and challenging environment. In
addition, it has allowed me to go
beyond the confines of my curriculum
to explore the global issues that
underpin society; as a result, I have
become more open-minded and
curious. As a linguist, I adore debate
and the discussions within the
Woodstock Group have allowed
me to develop a greater appreciation
of the nuances and subtleties that
exist when arguing about issues of
global importance.
The Forest Fire
by Piero di Cosimo
The St Edward’s international exchange
programme offers our pupils an extraordinary
adventure. Each year, six Lower Sixth pupils
host visitors from America, Australia and
India, benefitting in turn from a month
abroad as a house guest and a member
of a very different school community.
Pupils join exchange partners at leading
independent schools: Gilman School and
Roland Park Country School in Baltimore,
Maryland; Goulburn Valley Grammar School,
Melbourne, Australia; and The Doon School
and Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun,
India. Pupils visiting The Doon enjoy the
engaging and reflective atmosphere of this
much renowned school, acclaimed for its
commitment to creating future leaders. Those
visiting India also usually spend a week touring
with their host families prior to the start of
The Doon’s term. Pupils returning from the
USA and Australia meanwhile effervesce with
the excitement of all the activities they have
participated in and the hospitality of their
exchange families. Those planning to study in
the USA have also greatly appreciated visits to
American universities. Pupils return energised
by the confidence they have gained and the
richness of their experiences.
For further details about exchange opportunities,
please email
wickensf@stedwardsoxford.orgterm we will be focusing on developing an
understanding and awareness of leadership
skills. In addition to our Woodstock
Group meeting, Upper Sixth pupils making
Oxbridge applications also meet fortnightly
in the Autumn Term to discuss and present
their subject based interests.
Jagit Singh from The Doon School
© Ashmolean Museum, University of
Oxford
Celia Hodgson