On Thursday 14 October, the school held its second Junior Scholarship Conference, a unique event that exemplifies the ethos of being ‘by the students, for the students.’ As highlighted by Senior Scholars’ Council Vice-President, Jasper O’Conor, in his opening address. The conference is largely organised by the Senior Scholars’ Council and showcases the scholarly passions and interests of Upper Sixth Form students to an audience of younger pupils.
The conference welcomed over 50 students from the First, Second, and Third Forms, who were treated to six diverse and thought-provoking presentations. Each Upper Sixth Form speaker volunteered to present on a topic of personal interest, offering a glimpse into their areas of expertise and enthusiasm.
The programme began with Satvikya Srivastava’s analysis of whether the UK is currently experiencing a housing market bubble, an issue of both economic and social importance. Daniel Hughes followed with a critical exploration of determinism, examining its strengths and limitations as a philosophical concept. Ruvin Meda brought an artistic touch to the session with an engaging presentation on the film music genre, which included a captivating extract from one of his own compositions.
After a brief interval, George Christiansen offered a compelling analysis of the failure of democracy in Russia, providing insights into a topic of global political relevance. Alex Mann then guided the audience through the principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, showcasing the scientific innovation behind this powerful technology. Concluding the event, Dewi Phillip delivered a thought-provoking discussion on China’s rise to superpower status, offering a balanced perspective on this complex geopolitical transformation.
The Upper Sixth Form presenters excelled in both the depth of their content and the clarity of their delivery, inspiring their younger peers and demonstrating the value of intellectual curiosity. The Junior Scholarship Conference was not only a celebration of scholarly achievement but also a platform for fostering a love of learning among all who attended.