As the sun shines on a glorious Friday morning, the first post-Brexit election has seen a low turn out, and results that were generally predictable. Labour have to do some serious soul-searching before 8th June, while UKIP's influence, so significant at the last General Election, has faded significantly. The Liberal Democrats have not made the progress that they would have wished for, and Theresa May will feel more than justified in calling the snap election. Hopefully the turn out on 8th June will be significantly better than it was on the 4th May, and we will certainly be pushing for all the pupils with the right to vote to exercise that vote.
One of the challenges with elections has been in engaging with the 18-25 year olds, and getting them to participate and exercise their right to vote. This was cited as a failing of last year's referendum, although the turn out among the young was significantly better for that than for any recent general election. Of course, in Scotland, the referendum was open to 16 and 17 year olds as well. My sense is that there is a greater political understanding, and much greater political conscience among young people today than twenty or thirty years ago. Perhaps that is a reflection of Felsted, where activities like the Model United Nations allow and foster an appreciation of local and global political issues, but I think that it does spread more widely.
Democracy, in the words that Churchill used in Parliament in 1947, 'is the worst form of government except all those others that have been tried', so while it can bring frustration, the democratic process allows us to engage with our nation, express our views freely, and have a say on important issues.
Felsted will be hosting the European Round Square Conference on 26-28 January 2018, with the conference theme being 'Democracy'.![]()
Meanwhile, the Duke of Edinburgh has decided to step back from public life, at the age of 95. He made a big impression on his visit to Felsted, and while I would not wish to repeat his jokes, he showed a genuine interest in the pupils, and was particularly keen to speak to pupils who were taking on the Duke of Edinburgh award. He was a mere 92 at the time of his visit here, but did not flag for a moment, and, sitting next to Mrs Burrett at lunch, he even managed to leave Jenny at a loss for words!
Finally, exams have started this week, with some of the IB students clocking up as many as ten exams already. The GCSE exams began with Chemistry yesterday, and AS and A Level exams will follow shortly. Having been round to the houses, to see them working, I can only say how much I admire the hard graft and determination to do their best being shown by so many of the students. Keep going. It is worth the effort, and if one paper does not go as planned, move on to the next one.
CJ Townsend
Headmaster
PS There are still a few places left for anyone interested in a game of cricket on the Front next Sunday, 14th May, (starting at 1.30pm, 30 overs a side, very social cricket!). If you would like to play, please e-mail cjt@felsted.org
