BSN WeSpeak

Our 90 Year anniversary celebrations got off to an exciting start with the first-ever BSN WeSpeak event held at Junior School Leidschenveen. Represented by students from every campus, it was a celebration of oracy and performance.

Let’s Hear it for the Students!

Eight students shared their vision for the world in ten years (when the BSN turns 100) and the role that education could play in making these visions a reality. Each student prepared a speech and spoke about a topic or issue that mattered to them.

The audience first heard from three Junior School students: Chloé spoke about her love of gardening and the benefits of cultivating homegrown fruit and vegetables; Olivia gave a passionate speech on the need for equal rights for everyone regardless of race, gender, and sexual orientation; Nelly, an avid reader, spoke about the impact of climate change on the availability of printed books in the future.

Five Senior School students then presented their speeches: Arnav, a keen follower of trend forecasting, presented his predictions of the world in ten years that covered climate change, healthcare, expansion of artificial intelligence, and the future of work and education; Lily and Yi Ling gave a joint speech on the need for gender equality, along with practical solutions and actions to achieve a more gender-equitable future; Reese’s speech examined the shortcomings of utilitarianism in today’s society, and the need to teach morals and ethical fundamentals to ensure an improved version of utilitarianism in the future; Franziska spoke about the evolution of technology and what that might mean for the world, and specifically, learning and education, in the next ten years.

Let’s Hear it for the Performing Arts!

There were also performances by some budding BSN musicians. The JSL School Choir opened the event with an original song, ‘Welcome’, sung in two languages. Senior School Leidschenveen students showcased their musical skills: Devika and Miren, Year 9 students, played Shostakovich, Waltz No. 2, from Suite for Variety Orchestra, a duet on piano and violin, and later, Laute, a Year 8 student, performed Schubert, Impromptu No.2, Op. 90 on piano.

“Great public speaking starts with a simple premise, delivered in a way that captures the audience’s imagination and leaves them thinking after you’ve finished. It’s one of the most powerful skills we can have.”

– Her Excellency Joanna Roper CMG, the UK Ambassador to the Netherlands

A Judging Panel of Honoured Guests

A formal judging panel was also appointed, adding to the overall prestige of the event. The judges were: Heath Monk, BSN CEO, whose CV includes working as a speechwriter; Karen Hennessy-Massaro, a lawyer by profession, a BSN alumna and the Governor of Parental Interests; Billy Allwood, Editor of The Hague Online, Founder and Head of the ‘Feel at Home in The Hague’ Fair. The event was attended by Her Excellency Joanna Roper CMG, the UK Ambassador to the Netherlands, as well as Peter Bayliff OBE, Chair of Governors. ■