On first encounter, ours is hardly the most prepossessing or inspiring of mottos. I have always rather liked Winchester College’s ‘Manners Maketh Man’, or The Manchester Grammar School’s ‘Sapere Aude’ (Dare to be Wise). Both point towards a higher purpose. By contrast, ‘Serve and Obey’ may seem to lack challenge or aspiration and perhaps reeks of a subservience and blind obedience more appropriate to the educational ideals of Robert Aske’s days, when schooling was mostly about learning to repeat what was taught. It sits in stark contrast to the notions of independence of thought and judgement that lie at the heart of any enlightened and modern education. The Company’s motto dates back to the Charter of 1570 and would have reflected the Christian devotion of Haberdashers. They would have interpreted it as “Serve God and Obey the Ten Commandments” (i.e. lead a good life). This too feels outdated and does not reflect our diverse 21st century community. So, I did not like it much as a boy, and I can understand why it has its detractors now.
In the last couple of weeks, our social media has been awash with messages of thanks from alumni and parents, GP’s surgeries and hospitals. Our DT team have been on-site making visors and distributing them far and wide, whilst boys have made visors from home and cooked up meals for NHS staff – doing whatever they can to help others. I was particularly moved by the tweet of an Old Haberdasher and Medic, which echoed that sense of lasting connection and community:
So proud to see my school @habsboys making #PPE for #NHS staff fighting #COVIDー19
— Arrash Arya Yassaee (@ArrashYassaee) April 22, 2020
I've seen (and used!) these visors @NHSHomerton and @NightingaleLDN - practical AND comfy!
My last Design classes were in 2005. 15 years later, the school and staff are STILL looking after us. pic.twitter.com/lpVGZ267Do
I was also struck by the thought of just how many OHs and Habs parents are working on the front line, serving others at great risk to themselves. The hospitals and surgeries of North London and Hertfordshire are awash with members of our community. And, strangely, I think one legacy of the current crisis will be an increase, one might say against all logic, in the numbers of Habs students seeking a career in medicine, for the instruction to serve is one that resonates here.
The world has changed a great deal since the Haberdashers’ Company first adopted the motto. But Robert Aske founded a school to inspire young people to go out and make a contribution to society – to serve others and obey their conscience – and they are doing just that.
Let me end by wishing you all the very best for the weekend. Term seems to have started well, or as well as one might hope under the circumstances, and everyone will deserve some time to recuperate and hopefully enjoy some sunshine. If you have a spare couple of minutes, do watch this short video, featuring a poem by Michael Rosen, celebrating the NHS. The poem is read by Aaron Garland (Upper Sixth) with music by Arun Thavasothy (Upper Sixth) and Mr Matthew Herd.