FLAGS IN THE DINING HALL quick to hear about it ! ‘ Once a Sennockian , always a Sennockian ’ underscores a key tradition : flags are never removed , only added . This practice celebrates the enduring connection and contributions of all who have been part of our community .
While early records are sparse , we know that in 2002 , five new flags – representing Andorra , the Bahamas , Latvia , Portugal and Tanzania – were added to the existing collection , bringing the total to 46 . This milestone illustrated the growing diversity at Sevenoaks School .
Rehanging 101 international emblems was a celebration of our rich tapestry of nationalities .
Back in 1962 , Sevenoaks School embarked on a journey to embrace internationalism , opening the International Centre boarding house , a hub for cross-cultural exchange and learning . The school has welcomed students and staff from around the world since the 18th and 19th centuries , but this marked a pivotal shift in its educational and cultural ethos .
This transformation continued with the establishment of the Girls ’ International House in 1977 , welcoming female students from around the world , and the adoption of the International Baccalaureate in 1978 , a programme renowned for its rigorous academic standards and its emphasis on fostering global citizenship .
As a boarding community , we are always looking for ways that help students feel that they belong . Around the turn of the millennium , we opened a new Dining Hall with high ceilings . This gave us the opportunity to incorporate a display symbolising the rich tapestry of nationalities represented by the staff and students . New students always look for their own flag among the ones on display , and if it is not there , we are
Maintaining the flags is a meticulous process . Periodically , they are taken down , washed and rehung , with new flags incorporated as the community grows . This year , we added 20 new flags , increasing the total to an impressive 101 , and rehung them all within the Dining Hall . The funding for this latest batch of flags was generously provided by the Friends of Sevenoaks School . The new additions include countries as diverse as Chile , Myanmar and Sierra Leone , a sign of the school ’ s expanding global reach .
Now they have been rehung , the ‘ name that flag ’ game is once again a popular lunchtime pastime . Friendly debate abounds – for example , are they truly in alphabetical order : should Republic of Ireland be under R or I ? Should we display the flag of the United Kingdom or the four constituent nations separately ? ( In the spirit of unity and friendship , it was decided to display the flag of the United Kingdom .) And most importantly , how do we best respect the specific cultural rules each nation has for their own flag ? For the latter we use a mixture of research and asking for advice from student / staff representatives of that nation . We are always willing to learn and adapt .
The Dining Hall flags are joyful in an otherwise rather stark space , but they are more than decorative symbols . They represent the vibrant , inclusive spirit of a community committed to internationalism .
Nichola Haworth , Deputy Head Boarding
112 EQUITY , DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION