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Issue 15 January 2016
Dear Parents and Girls, We’ve been interviewing girls for Sixth Form scholarships this week. Research suggests that the most crucial part of any interview may happen before the interview itself begins. The Daily Mail published an article this week about a study by Resurgo Trust, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people find employment, citing their findings that prospective candidates are often judged by the quality of their small talk. Apparently the first 12 words you speak – between reception and the interview room – can make all the difference to your success (see this article by Tim Dowling in The Guardian for comment: http://www.theguardian. com/money/shortcuts/2016/jan/26/twelve-words-say-job-interview-avoid-opening-lines). While it may be true that a facility for small talk can impress an interviewer initially, true strength of character is not always to be found on the surface. It is important to listen to a quietly thoughtful character as much as to the chatty, outgoing candidate. Susan Cain wrote a book a few years ago, called, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. It made me think about how I responded to different types of personality in my classroom. Cain argues that in the West, where the ideal of the extrovert is extolled, we hugely undervalue the strengths of introverted people. She refers to research to demonstrate that introversion is both common and normal and points out that many of the world’s most creative people and effective leaders were introverts (see Susan Cain’s excellent TED talk: https://www.ted. com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en) What’s to be learned, in my view, is the importance of listening to individuals and of being able to appreciate different temperaments. It was a privilege to interview all these bright, talented girls and the real joy is that they are all very different in their funny, committed and passionate ways. Have a good weekend. Jennifer Smith
Open Day with Y4&5 Masterclasses Saturday 6th February, 9am
diary
Monday 1st February Hullabaloo choir, 6:30-9:45pm; Tuesday 2nd Coca Cola Real Business Challenge (Y10 team all day at Amex); Y7 reps at Lancing Prep for Institute of Engineering Competition (all day); Informal concert, 1pm; GDST 3D Challenge entrants (p5); Wed 3rd Y10 & Y11 GCSE PE moderation; School Council meeting (new time, 8:40am); Thursday 4th Intermediate Maths Challenge (Y10 & Y11); Chrystall prize (Public Speaking Competition at Portsmouth High); Y9/Y10 trip to Munich leaves; Friday 5th Y7 Anti bullying workshop (with Y10 BLOBS); Y11 Student Voice; Windlesham Lectures for Y8 reps; Saturday 6th Masterclasses / Open Morning; Munich trip returns; Sunday 7th Sixth Form play rehearsal, 10am-5pm; YE Trade Fair at Holmbush Centre 2015-16 Issue 15: 1
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Brighton & Hove High School GDSt