Wadhams Students Raise the Roof

Wadham students raised the roof on 'Our House' this week, and taught us all a lesson into the bargain. Earlier that day, at 7am, I had attended a breakfast training session held by business networking organisation BNI, on the subject of 'presentation skills'. The two key words that I came with from that session were 'energy' and 'passion'. Well, as young as they may be, after such a tremendous performance I would beg to suggest that there is nothing that anyone could teach this bunch of movers and shakers about energy and passion! By the end of the evening, I was thoroughly exhausted from just watching them, and my hands hurt from clapping so much. The talent on show was such that it would be unfair to single out individuals; it is after all the collective whole that makes any show a success. I did however come away with something much more powerful and thought provoking. The essence of the story of 'Our House' is essentially the struggle between right and wrong, good and evil; where often taking the wrong decision, but for the right reasons, can have serious repercussions. This is something that most of us struggle with almost daily, and where, if in an official capacity and acting on behalf of others, the choices we make can have a significant impact on their lives. It is something I am constantly reminded of, and the portayal of these moral issues through a performance like this sharpens the senses. I believe it achieves far more, especially for young people, than the hectoring, lecturing, 'nanny state' style of successive governments. I certainly went home in a pensive state of mind, for which I thank Wadham students. Well done!