“The greatest ideas are the simplest.”
William Golding, ‘Lord of The Flies’
Seventy years ago, William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies was published in the UK. Legend has it that Golding, a philosopher and former naval officer, had been less than impressed with other books about children living on islands and so asked his wife if he should write his own “book about children on an island, children who behave in the way children really would behave?”
Golding was part of the wartime generation. He had commanded a landing craft during the Normandy landings where he had seen the cost of warfare first hand. He worried about the threat of nuclear annihilation. His book, in part, reflects his preoccupations. Given its later popularity it may come as a surprise to find that it was not an immediate success. An initial rejection labelled the book as “absurd… Rubbish & dull”. Eventually accepted by Faber and Faber it is regarded as a modern classic. The novel’s major themes of morality, civility, leadership, and society all explore the duality of human nature. The book has also been criticised as cynical for portraying humanity as inherently selfish and violent.
Seventy years ago in 1954 Mary Cosyn opened the doors of The British School of Paris. Rather unlike Golding’s vision of what can happen when children are placed together, those first pupils did not run amok, the community did not descend into chaos. If anything, at a time when Golding’s concerns were very real her decision to open a school was an act of hope. Education is an investment in the future, a bulwark against cynicism, and we must hope, a guarantee for an improved future. Seventy years on we are a larger school, but we remain true to Mrs. Cosyn’s optimistic aim, that of education, the shaping of both intellect and character.
This weekend we celebrate all that has been achieved during the seventy years of our existence. We will welcome alumni and former teachers to the school as well as current and new families. I’ve been told that we are guaranteed good weather, and it will be a magnificent opportunity to consider what has been and what will be. Perhaps more importantly this occasion allows us all to reflect upon Mrs. Cosyn’s act of and investment in hope. In 1954 the world was a violent and turbulent place. Looking at the world today we could make a similar observation. It is perhaps important that we look to the future with greater confidence and in coming together to celebrate strength in mind and body we too affirm our commitment to educating a generation that will provide astute and empathetic leadership in the face of the challenges this world faces.
Our current crop of pupils would, I believe, make our founder proud. They show concern for others, understand the responsibility they have to the environment and will I am sure go on to achieve great things. I trust that Mrs Cosyn would be pleased that her hope in the future has been rewarded.
Nicholas Hammond
Headmaster
