Top left : The Johnson Library
Below left : The school flag is lowered by the School Captains .
Above : The CCF memorial parade
In the wider Old Sennockian community , there was some involvement in the coronation itself . Jonathan Ayling ( OS 1993 ), Co-Principal Cello with the RPO , played in the Coronation Orchestra , which formed specially for the service for Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla . Emily Stuart ( OS 2008 ) works for McVitie ’ s who have a long-standing relationship with the Royal household , and oversaw the creation of a commemorative cake served to VIPs at the Coronation concert .
While this was going on away from Sevenoaks , there were continuing discussions in the school about the place of the monarchy . I overheard questions regarding whether Sevenoaks , as a proudly and consistently internationally facing school with many nationalities in our community , would commemorate the passing of other major world leaders in the manner we did with the Queen , or whether we should celebrate our connections with the monarchy at all . At other times I heard frustration that the school ’ s response to the death of the Queen and coronation of the King was not larger or louder , and that Sevenoaks ’ relationship with tradition made it less strong , less cohesive as a community .
As I heard these points being raised , I was struck not by which side I agreed with , or who raised which points , but how fortunate we are to have a community with such diverse voices . We are always working on this , as the EDI initiatives at the school show , and will never claim that we are finished or perfect in this area , but we are a school that values intellectual rigour and debate , so long as it is engaged with in an inclusive manner . We are welcome to disagree with one another , so long as we then break bread together afterwards . So we will continue to discuss the events of this academic year , under a new monarch and new challenges , with renewed faith in these values , and face what the future brings together .
Tim MacBain
SEVENOAKS SCHOOL 2022-2023 5