We welcomed back Bill Jennings and his company Time & Space to provide though-provoking and conversation-inducing sessions for boys in Year 7 and their Mums and boys in Year 8 and their Dads.

Bill presented to us in person last year, in the Williams Hall. Our families found his advice and guidance to be extremely helpful, so we were keen for him to visit us again this year. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus pandemic has prevented Bill from travelling from his native Melbourne, Australia. However, thanks to the wonders of the internet and a reliable alarm clock in his house, Bill was able to run sessions this week from his shed at home.

Across two evenings, 110 members of the Merchant Taylors community (boys and parents) were encouraged to have more open, regular and empathetic conversations with each other. Sessions were conducted via Zoom meetings with plenary presentations interspersed with more intimate conversations in breakout rooms. Senior pupils were on hand to facilitate these discussions and lead some of the activities.

Boys and their parents had to bring a treasure to share with each other – something which represents the importance of the relationship between them. Items as diverse as a pair of football boots, family photographs, baby clothes and stuffed toys were all present, each uniquely poignant and every one evoking memories and emotions which propelled those present to have important and honest discourse. I am sure that many of these conversations may never have happened otherwise.

Despite the remote nature of the presentation the evenings were a huge success, and we look forward to working with Bill again in the future.

More than 40 pupils had the chance to listen to Prof Graeme Close, who talked about Diet, Nutrition and his experiences in elite sport. Graeme is part of the England Rugby setup and gave the group an insight in to what he was tasked with doing whilst away with the side during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The following day, 30+ boys and girls joined GB and England Olympian Michael Hoare for a ‘Hockey at Home’ session. This gave the group a chance to train with an Olympic athlete and ask some questions about his journey from the NW to the Rio Olympics. He was so impressed with the group he has agreed to come back and do some more sessions in the coming weeks with some special guests, watch this space.

Prof Graeme Close