A message from the Rector

By Richard Hall | Posted: Friday June 21, 2024

Pride Week at OBHS

We Should Be Judged By How Welcome Our Most Vulnerable Student Feels

This year we acknowledged Pride Week, something we have done for a while, through various means, with the best and most public displays, the wearing of pink socks and flying a widely known pride flag.

Unsurprisingly, we receive what I will only term as ignorant and abusive messages through social media and email, including one who told me to 'F... off'. Apparently I am also promoting pedophlilia.

 So for everyone's consumption, I want to say the reason we are celebrating Schools Pride Week is to say to members of the Rainbow Community you are welcome at OBHS. There is no conspiracy or subversive plot.

 The reality is that Rainbow members of our wider community make a valuable contribution to OBHS even though they may not always feel welcomed. We should all feel proud of who we are and the contribution we are making. If we can make someone else feel good about their place in the world, we are reflecting OBHS 'Above the Hoops' values and living up to our vision of advancing care for others.