Headmistress’ Conversations – Courage

In an academically ambitious school like Habs Girls, it is easy to assume that success is simply the result of talent, hard work and excellent teaching. While these things really matter, there is another quality that sits at the heart of achievement, and indeed personal growth: the willingness to take risks.

This year, we introduced our Habits framework, a shared language for the qualities we believe will help our students thrive both in school and beyond. Over the coming months, these Conversations will explore some of those Habits, beginning with Risk-Taking.

One of the core Habits we seek to cultivate at Habs Girls is Risk-Taking. Not in the reckless sense, but the willingness to step beyond the familiar, embrace challenge and learn from uncertainty. Whether it is volunteering an answer when not entirely sure, tackling a challenging problem, auditioning for a production or putting themselves forward for a leadership opportunity, growth comes from having the courage to try.

This is particularly important in a high-achieving environment. When students become accustomed to success, they can sometimes develop a fear of making mistakes. Yet the most successful people are rarely those who avoid failure; they are those who see setbacks as opportunities to learn, adapt and improve. Risk-taking and resilience are therefore inextricably linked. The confidence to take a risk today becomes the foundation for achievement tomorrow.

This year, I have the privilege of leading a programme of oracy lessons for every Year 7 student, and it is here that this belief comes to life. During these lessons, girls are encouraged to step beyond their comfort zones, speak with confidence and share their ideas. For many students, standing in front of their peers and speaking publicly is one of the greatest risks they have taken in their young lives. The programme is carefully designed to help every girl develop the courage to contribute, to speak up, to think on her feet and to share her ideas with confidence.

Importantly, the lessons extend far beyond public speaking. Oracy teaches students to advocate for themselves, articulate their thinking, lead others and engage thoughtfully with different perspectives. In short, it gives them the confidence to be heard. In classrooms, on sports fields, on stages, in leadership roles and ultimately in their future careers, these are the skills that enable young people to make a profound impact.

One student in Year 7 recently demonstrated this courage particularly powerfully. Having never spoken publicly before and feeling extremely apprehensive about the prospect, she nonetheless volunteered to join me on stage as part of a pupil panel at our Whole School Open Day. In front of a large audience of prospective families, she shared her experiences with confidence, honesty and enthusiasm. Watching her step so far beyond her comfort zone was a wonderful reminder of what can happen when young people are encouraged to take thoughtful risks.

I see this same willingness to take risks across the school. Whether it is a student auditioning for a concert performance, presenting an idea to her peers, standing for a leadership position or volunteering an answer before she is certain it is right, these moments require courage. They may seem small in isolation, but collectively they help build confidence, resilience and self-belief.

Our ambition at Habs Girls is not simply to achieve outstanding results, but to develop young women who have the courage to embrace challenge, the confidence to seize opportunities and the conviction to use their voices for good; because the future will not belong to those who always play it safe. It will belong to those who are prepared to step forward, take thoughtful risks and discover what they are truly capable of achieving.

Dr Hazel Bagworth-Mann