Harrodian's forward-thinking Sixth Form Classics Conference was more popular than ever this year, enjoying a record attendance. Our 13th annual conference welcomed Greek and Latin academics, teachers and students from top schools and universities across the country.
On Friday 4th November, our Classics department and A Level students greeted over 160 students and staff from schools in and around London including Eton College, St Paul’s, Westminster, Haberdashers' Aske's Boys', Tiffin's Girls', Notting Hill and Ealing High, Lady Eleanor Holles, Queen's Gate, Hampton, Godolphin and Latymer, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and Whitgift.
Four prestigious speakers from top UK universities lectured on topics relevant to students’ studies. Dr Armand D’Angour of Jesus College, University of Oxford, spoke about the chorus in Greek tragedy; Professor Richard Jenkyns of Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, on Women in Homer and Virgil; Dr Rosie Wyles from the University of Kent, on violence and Athenian civic identity, and Dr Mairead McAuley, from University College London, who recorded and sent a film of her lecture on Transgender Antiquity.
Harrodian alumna and former Head Girl, Kitty enjoyed coming back to school to attend the event. With a first degree in Classics from the University of Durham and a Master's in Comparative Literature from King's College London, the former Head Girl was thrilled to return to the place which first ignited her interest in Classics. 'It is always a pleasure to come back to school. Being invited to the Classics conference is always an honour as the Classics department hold a very special place in my heart. Mrs Seaton was fundamental to my love of Classics and I’m sure she has been to other Classicists past and present. As every year, she organised a successful event and I’m forever amazed with the level of knowledge that the sixth formers present. I hope the students continue to engage with Latin, Greek and Ancient History and I wish them and the staff all the best with the up and coming exams.’
It is always a pleasure to come back to school. Being invited to the Classics conference is always an honour as the Classics department hold a very special place in my heart. Mrs Seaton was fundamental to my love of Classics and I’m sure she has been to other Classicists past and present. As every year, she organised a successful event and I’m forever amazed with the level of knowledge that the Sixth Formers present.
Harrodian alumna, Former Head Girl and Classics graduate, Kitty
One of our Upper Sixth Classics students, Harry, who is hoping to study Archaeology and Ancient History at university, was particularly thrilled he could be there. 'I thought the conference was really interesting and useful. Many of the topics covered by the speakers applied to our A level set texts and those that weren't gave us an even greater understanding and appreciation of classical texts. Everyone in the audience asked really good questions and I found the recorded talk on transgender beliefs in antiquity particularly fascinating. Dr McAuley talked through our understanding of the subject in modern terms, and then applied it to figures of Antiquity,' he enthuses.
Many of the topics covered by the speakers applied to our A level set texts... I found the recorded talk on transgender beliefs in antiquity particularly fascinating. Dr McAuley talked through our understanding of the subject in modern terms, and then applied it to figures of Antiquity.
Harry - Upper Sixth Classics student
Other visitors were equally appreciative of the chance to attend the conference and gain insights from experts in the field. A big thank you to our Head of Classics Mrs Genevieve Seaton and her department for organising such a successful event.
