Head of PSHE Mr Guy Holder reflects on the power of Super Connected! - an immersive event produced by the Tim Arnold Company and hosted by Harrodian.
The Tim Arnold Company brought their unique blend of live music, cinema and theatre to Harrodian on Wednesday November 13th. It was fantastic to see so many parents, pupils and staff in attendance.
The combination of our hi-tech sound system, atmospheric lighting, high resolution film screen and the musical performances of Tim Arnold and Sarah Kershaw created an unforgettable, immersive experience. Audience members were invited to lock their phones away in pouches during the performance, encouraging a screen-free environment, followed by an in-person social gathering with drinks and snacks. Audience members left the event in various states of exhilaration and exhaustion; you can read some of their post-show survey feedback at the bottom of this page.
The message came across very clearly and poignantly
Cass - U6th student
The Super Connected project is unique and it takes a special kind of school, like Harrodian, to agree to host it and to have parents support it. It tackles what I think is the theme of our time, the impact of screens, particularly smartphones, on our lives and, more pertinently, the lives of our children. The show held up a mirror, showing scenes of normal domestic life alongside an all too familiar dystopia, and it was special for so many of us to look in the mirror together.
In the audience were representatives of the NHS group ‘Health Professionals for Safer Screens.,' (https://safescreens.org/health-professionals-for-safer-screens) demonstrating the seriousness of many of the issues explored. Suddenly Tim Arnold’s refrain “Are you getting it now?” never sounded so urgent.
Putting my phone away in the pouch made me realise I should lock it away more often. I felt so much more focussed and less distracted.
Daniel - 13s pupil
You can learn more about Super Connected by CLICKING HERE and I have also published some guidance on smartphones on our website HERE.
Here are some of our survey results:
State 3 different words that describe the show for you
"Powerful Unfiltered Truth"
"Unsettling, emotional, powerful"
"Powerful, moving, tense"
"Thought-provoking, topical, extreme"
"Mesmeric. Provocative. Uplifting."
"Enlightening, scary, informative."
"Breathtaking. Sad. Beautiful."
"Powerful, provocative, scary."
Will you be doing anything differently in your digital life as a result of watching the show?
"Giving up my smartphone."
"We are already low tech house but I’ve noticed as my kids have got older I’m less careful about my screen use. I will ensure I’m making eye contact. I will also suggest screen free time with my partner - eg a walk where we don’t check phones."
"Contemplating the impact of smart phones on my marriage."
"Buying phone pouches and scheduling quality time with kids."
"It really made me consider just how much time I spend online and how much of it is not necessary. The sound was fantastic. The show was beautifully coherent and the music was utterly mesmerising."
"I have since chosen to have all notifications turned off and no longer use Facebook."
"Yes cutting down on screen time."
What was the impact of locking your phone away?
"Loved it."
"I didn’t as I had my mum looking after 3 young kids at home and I wanted her to be able to contact me. However, as I was totally absorbed in the performance I didn’t check my phone and it was on silent anyway so I could have locked it."
"None- frequently have a breakfast from it for a few hours."
"None really. I didn’t know what time it was."
"None. I'm used to going to a show and not using my phone."
"Very little impact."
"Freeing."
"Powerful."
