The focus of Assembly this week is International Men's Day

November 18th 2025

Annabel - Prefect

Ladies and gentlemen on Wednesday 19^th November it is International Men's Day International Men's Day is a global awareness day for many issues that men face - parental alienation, abuse, homelessness, suicide and violence. It is a project originally founded in Malta by Thomas Oaster in 1992 in part to combat the increasing rates of suicide among the male population on the island. Each year International Men’s Day has a new theme this year it is "Celebrating Men and Boys". This global theme encourages an honest look at challenges men and boys face, such as mental health issues and educational disadvantages, and celebrates the mentors, dads, teachers, and community programs that help them thrive. It also highlights the importance of community-led action, building connections, and supporting men's wellbeing with empathy and respect.

Will - Prefect

International Men's Day has six core pillars:

To promote positive male role models.
To celebrate men's positive contribution to society, community, family, marriage, childcare, and the environment.
To focus on men's mental health and wellbeing: social, emotional, physical and spiritual.
To highlight discrimination against men in areas of social services, social attitudes and expectations, and law.
To improve gender relations and promote gender equality.
To create a safer better world where people can be safe and grow to reach their full potential.

Annabel

I asked two of our male Heads of House and two male members of staff to answer these questions:

1. Who is a male role model in your life? Why do you look up to them?

Harry: My male role model is the two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo This is because he shows hard work, courage and resilience in every situation he faces.
Otis: My male role model is David Attenborough the former BBC broadcaster, as he dedicated his life to nature and the environment whilst inspiring multiple generations.
Mr Forder: John Cena is someone I have admired since a young age. As I have gotten older, he has become a role model in my life. He is a high achiever and has a strong growth mindset. He continues to develop his career and continues to try and be the best version of himself. He stands by who he is as a person, and I have a lot of respect for that.
Mr Danskin: Siya Kolisi - The South African rugby captain. What I admire so much about him is that no matter how successful he has been and how talented he is, he always puts the team first, and carries himself with incredible humility. He also treats everybody he meets with respect, regardless of who they are.

2. What does being a man or a boy mean today?

Harry: I believe being a man today means treating others with respect, showing kindness, and working hard to grow as a person.
Otis: Being a man or boy for me today means being independent, responsible and respectful whilst not being emotionally shut off from friends and family.
Mr Forder: It is a challenge to be a man in today’s world. We are influenced by things such as social media, tv shows, and the people around us on how we should act/be. Stereotypes such as men should supress their emotions, hide tears, and get on with it. I believe what makes a man in today’s world is the opposite. It is emotionally transparency. A man who understands who they are and stand by this. They have the courage to face things such as their fears, desires, vulnerabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. They stay true to their belief and value system. This is where true fulfilment is found.
Mr Danskin: It’s a difficult question to answer because young men receive a lot of mixed messages about what it means to be a man, and a lot of mixed messages about how to express their masculinity. A lot of this comes from social media, so I would urge everybody to be wary and critical of everything they see on social media. I also think it’s more helpful to think about how to be a ‘good person’ rather than a ‘good man’ - because many of the traits that might traditionally have been associated with masculinity - like bravery and strength in the face of adversity - are important for everybody. Likewise there are many traits that are not traditionally associated with the stereotypical ‘man’, like kindness, sensitivity and emotional awareness, that I think everybody should strive for.

3. How can we support the wellbeing of men and boys in our school, family or community?

Harry: We can support men and boys by listening to them, encouraging them to talk about their feelings, and creating a safe, positive environment in and outside of school.
Otis: We can support the wellbeing of men in our school by speaking about issues as it helps, so don't stay silent and you can approach a trusted friend or teacher within our community to talk to, or I would suggest a matron in house.
Mr Forder: We are all unique and have our own skillset. It is being aware of this and respecting each other’s personal journey. A quote I came across during my counselling studies was “Be curious, not judgemental”. How often do we judge someone because they are doing something that goes against the majority. I think we should be more curious and encourage each other to pursue things that we are passionate about.
Mr Danskin: Firstly it’s extremely important to have conversations like this, so that it is normal to talk about uncomfortable topics and no-one feels that they have to suffer in silence. Secondly, we need to celebrate individuality - we are not all the same, and life would be incredibly boring if we were. So whilst we should be proud of the things we have in common, we should also be proud of the things that make us different to others. If people feel they can be their true selves then that’s incredibly helpful for wellbeing.

Will

So whilst we mark International Men’s Day this week, we reflect on what being a man means, we celebrate the contributions of men and boys, and commit to supporting wellbeing and positive masculinity.