School Motto
The school motto, Adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant, is taken from the Roman Statesman and esteemed writer Cicero. It came from an extract of his defence of the poet Aulus Archias whose poetry was attacked and who was accused of not being a Roman citizen. Cicero defended poetry and books in general.
The full quote is Haec studia adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis perfugium ac solacium praebent, delectant domi, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur “These studies sustain youth and entertain old age, they enhance prosperity, and offer a refuge and solace in adversity, they delight us when we are at home without hindering us in the wider world, and are with us at night, when we travel and when we visit the countryside.”
The defence of books is appropriate for the school which started life as a Grammar school dedicated to the study of Latin grammar so that the gentry could read the bible.
The modern school has slightly widened its curriculum and clientele and embraced a wide spectrum of technology and faiths but still has a love of books at the centre of its learning and entertainment. Our thriving library and resource centre is at the centre of school life. Books and poetry will always give us pleasure and wisdom in youth and old age, they are our companions when we travel and help us deal with the myriad of life’s problems whether that is insight into the world’s geopolitical intricacies or how to operate the latest technological gadget.
Hopefully Cicero’s homage and defence will continue to be relevant long into the future (though I suspect he never anticipated that this might be in the form of e-books!). Few things can exceed the pleasure of a well told story or the delight and stimulation of whiling away the hours enraptured by good writing. It is fundamental to human nature and harks back to that oral history of our early forefathers sitting round campfires with their myths and embellished tales. The thrill of page turning is central to our lives.