Teddies Summer Lectures

The Teddies Summer Lectures took place from 12th to 15th June in the Olivier Hall; it was a fascinating lineup, with speakers including novelists, scientists and politicians. Here, pupils review the lectures and discuss what they took away. 

Musicology with Professor Laura Tunbridge by Honor Weir:
On Monday, Professor Laura Tunbridge came to discuss the magic of song cycles. Professor Tunbridge is a brilliant academic, and musicologist specialising in 19th and 20th Century music, opera, and Schumann at the University of Oxford. Her lecture focused on the fragmentation and unanimity of song cycles and how performances have evolved as we have gone from wandering in and out of recital rooms to being fully focused on the music. We were left with one question to think about afterwards: Do you listen to the whole album, or do you pick out your favourite songs?

Rowing with Lucy Glover by Scott Bain:
Lucy Glover gave an inspiring and eye-opening talk into the life of an Olympic rower. Learning about her pathway of success from just a junior in school made her story really relatable and sharing the adversity she faced was very inspiring as a young athlete. To learn the in-depth measures Olympic competitors go to to maximise performance was incredibly interesting and learning how high-performance athletes ensure they have good nutrition and sufficient recovery was useful to apply to our own sports and training.

Philosophy with Dr Max Baker-Hytch by Zac Orr-Ewing:
On Tuesday evening Philosophy Society were extremely lucky to have an expert in philosophy with a doctorate at the University of Oxford, Dr Max Baker-Hytch. Dr Baker-Hytch has carried out extensive research into epistemology and divine hiddenness. He talked on notions of divine hiddenness, and, more specifically, the eternal question of if God is real, then why he is not more obvious. A great turn out and impressive Q&A made Tuesday night into a success.

English Literature with author Michael Arditti by Izzy Bowdern:
On Wednesday we had the pleasure of listening to an incredibly interesting lecture by author Michael Arditti about his works, specifically those based around religion. It was interesting to hear about religious fiction as it not necessarily something we are exposed to frequently. Mr Arditti not only gave us incredible insight into his works and the influences behind them, but also his journey from playwriting to novel writing. What made Mr Arditti’s lecture so educational, were his personal anecdotes that helped form a better understanding about how people’s relationships with their spirituality and religion influences their works, as well as developing their own beliefs. 

STEM with Mima Boardman OSE by Algy Low:
Friday evening saw two incredibly inspiring talks. The first of them was on how engineering is being utilised in the world around us. The talk was given by former Teddies pupil Mima Boardman, and it explored the different pathways into engineering and where it can take you. In Mima’s case, she originally studied a Masters in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and went on to work for one of the largest engineering firms in the world – KBR. While at KBR she worked on the design and construction of large oil rigs and pipelines in Azerbaijan. After this she went on to do another masters however, this time in Hydrology. She chose to do this to help the world to be healthier and greener, using both her previous engineering skills and her current knowledge of hydrology.

Sixth Former Patrick Maxwell with Vadym Prystaiko

Politics with Vadym Prystaiko by George Freeland:
On Thursday, Teddies welcomed Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, to the Olivier Hall for a talk and Q&A that was sure to live long in the memory of all those in attendance. Mr Prystaiko began by telling us all about his job and what it entails and some previous agreements and discussions he had played a part in. It quickly moved on to the Q&A section of the talk, the questions first led by Patrick Maxwell and then opened to the floor. The ambassador answered each of the excellent questions Teddies pupils, staff and parents had to offer clearly and informatively and was even kind enough to stay after the talk had ended to answer any further questions people had, long into the evening. It was a superb end to a great week of lectures and an amazing night for all those who attended and Mr Prystaiko’s articulacy and eloquence when talking about matters that would have hit so close to home for him. In the Teddies community, this event will not soon be forgotten.