Finding Your Inner Lioness

Last week, I watched 28 Year 12 pupils stand up and bare their souls in the hustings to become our next Head Girl. I was filled with pride as they spoke about the importance of genuine connections, their deep understanding of what it means to be a Bromley High School girl, and the strength of our community. Every single speech was exceptional, and seeing the bravery it took for them to present to their peers and staff made me reflect on a value that is part of our everyday life at Bromley High School: courage. Whether it is the Year 3 & 4 Matilda production, the under 16s attending regional finals for netball, or our musicians performing solos at St George’s Church in an evening soirée, our girls prove that true heroism lies in turning up every day and doing your best.

When you search for “courage,” you often see images of daredevils or lions. I’ve always found the lion metaphor striking – the idea that we might feel like a small housecat on the inside, but can project the strength of a lion on the outside. However, there is a historical bias we must challenge. For too long, courage has been cast as a masculine trait, defined by the physical bravado of “man-slaying,” from Hector in Greek mythology to modern action figures like James Bond.

In reality, it is the lioness who is the faster, more diligent hunter. At Bromley High School, we see courage not as a lack of fear, but as the ability to push through it. In my assembly with the girls next term, I will speak about the spirit of Boudicca and Malala Yousafzai. It is the strength to close the “confidence gap” that often holds women back in the professional world. Research suggests men often apply for roles when they meet 60% of the criteria, while women wait until they hit 100%. To change this, we must be braver.

Courage at our school isn’t just about grand gestures; it’s about the daily bravery of:

• Finding your voice and using it authentically, promoted through our Women in Health programme, pupil voice initiatives, and debating opportunities.
• Resisting peer pressure rather than being a bystander, sharing our experiences of EDI, the Words Matter programme, and sustainability projects.
• Challenging the status quo and being comfortable in your own skin, using our Minerva programme to promote all role models and emphasize civil discourse.

As Maya Angelou famously said, courage is the most important virtue because, without it, you cannot practice any other virtue consistently. Whether it is standing up for what is right or trying something new, I encourage every girl to find her roar. You don’t need a heraldic crest to be a leader; you just need the heart of a lioness.

I will be enjoying half term in Devon with family and friends. Whatever your plans for the coming week, I wish you all well and look forward to welcoming the community back to school for the second half of the Spring term.