Leadership Likes

May her character and talents inspire others.

Reading Mrs Pattison’s Leadership Likes on the last day of term, where

she spoke about the specific achievements of one of our alumnae and

related it to our school motto, made me think about the real importance

of a motto and what it represents.

So, I asked myself, what actually is a motto and why do we (and so many other organisations) have

one? A simple definition is a short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals

of an individual, family, or institution. In short, whilst complicated ideas can get lost in translation; simple

mottos can help us all remember what's really important.

Once I started thinking about the subject, I found out there is a lot to learn. For example, who knew

that Croydon has its very own motto? Ad Summa Nitamur (Let us strive after perfection). Keep

striving, Croydon.

Some mottos are particularly comforting, perfectly expressing what you would expect that

organisation to stand for. The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland for example,

live by the mantra In somno securitas (In sleep there is safety). We hope so.

As a football fan, and a diehard Liverpool supporter, it pains me to

celebrate the motto of our great rivals, Everton, who (allegedly) live and

die by their motto of Nil Satis Nisi Optimum (Nothing but the best is

good enough). It’s certainly a strong message designed to keep everyone

on track – but I would have to question how it is working out for them!

For the supporters of my team, of course, just hearing the words You’ll

never walk alone is enough to evoke a sense of pride, expectation and shared

purpose that binds us together in good times and bad. Crystal Palace on

the other hand doesn’t appear to have a motto. Perhaps that’s where

they have been going wrong? (With apologies to Mr Nelson, Mr Symes,

Mrs Roe, Mrs Congram and all you Eagles fans out there…just banter!)

From a marketing perspective, mottos and slogans are of course an important way to highlight and

communicate the essence of an organisation, but can only be really effective if they ring true. When

trying to encapsulate the many facets of Croydon High life, it is virtually impossible to condense

who we are and what we do in to one short sentence. So, our motto seeks to focus on what we strive

for, our highest goal if you will and to incorporate this in to our daily school lives.

Happily, the actions and attitudes of Croydon High students throughout the school bring our motto

Leadership Likes

to life every single day. The amazing Amnesty Conference at the end of last term was testament to the

sort of impact we, as a school and the students as individuals, have on those who come into contact with

us. Here is just a flavour of the feedback we received from schools who attended…

Thank you for creating such an amazing experience last week with the conference. The students loved it, they

are now forming their own Amnesty group so I might be in touch regarding ideas

Thank you for an amazing day, the conference, the girls and the school blew us all away. Congratulations for

hosting such a worthwhile and enjoyable event

Thank for a very inspiring day yesterday, the students were a delight; it was fantastic to work with so many

inspirational human rights defenders.

Congratulations on the excellent, well-planned and enjoyable day yesterday. I was very impressed by your

students

I was so impressed by your students - great role models for activists.

This Conference came about as a result of an immense amount of hard work, passion and belief from a

team of highly motivated people – with an inspiring leader in Mrs Abrams. I was fortunate enough to be

involved in the planning stages and witnessed the character and talents of those members of the

Amnesty group, determined to put on the very best event they could with the intention of encouraging

others to take up the cause they hold so dear. They put huge amounts of effort in themselves, but were

also able to inspire and motivate, mobilising teams of girls too young to be delegates on the day but

willing to help beforehand, preparing decorations for example. For the greater good – another worthy

motto.

Similar examples, such as the appetite for introducing eco initiatives from girls throughout the school,

always inspire. What is clear

too is that these convictions

are deeply held – they are

certainly not fads or fancies.

Flora, in our Junior school, for

example is one of many girls

who have a developed social

consciences far beyond their

years. She is an active part of

our Plastic Free School Team,

raising awareness of our

impact on our environment

and petitioning school

departments to make changes

Leadership Likes

E V E R Y G I R L - E V E R Y D A Y 17 January 2020

to the way we operate. The group have organised a guest speaker for assembly and also take part in litter

picks. As well as a passion for the environment, Flora also has a commitment to help other children

which she teams with plenty of ambition. She helped organise a networking event for children her age

held in The Transport Museum in London where she delivered the opening address. Not bad for

someone in Year 4.

As well as the more high profile

activities that go on in school, it is

the small everyday actions and

initiatives that, for me, demonstrate

the veracity of our motto. Sixth

formers proactively setting up extra

-curricular groups for younger girls

because they know they would

have enjoyed them at their age.

Senior girls leading assemblies to

talk to the school about things that

have impacted on their lives. Tutor

groups raising awareness and

raising funds for charities big and

small that have caught their

attention. Peer listening and Big

Sister programmes offering support

and building a sense of family and

community that is so strong it is remarked upon by almost everyone who visits.

I’m not under the illusion that our school motto is necessarily front of mind for every girl, every day. It’s

possible (heaven forbid) that some may even need to be reminded what it actually is. But what is

important and what is clearly happening, is that the environment in which we learn and work is such

that compassion and passion, proactivity and positivity are character traits which are encouraged and

celebrated. Inspiring others, like our motto, has simply become a way of life.

Fran Cook

Director of External Relations