Reflections on bravery from our Year 12 Prefects

POSTED June 12 2025 , Boarding, News, Parents & Community, Senior School, Sports

Each term, we ask our students to focus on a characteristic trait. This term, we have been looking at Bravery. Our 2025 Prefects Lucy, Hannah, Bella and Millie reflect on what bravery means to them.

We often associate bravery it with epic moments – facing danger, saving lives, or making history. This is defined as ‘general bravery’, which is when someone does what society agrees is brave.

But the truth is, bravery comes in many forms, and it’s all around us. It’s found in people who stand up for their beliefs, take risks to follow their dreams, or face challenges without giving up. Bravery can be loud or quiet, public or deeply personal. Whether it’s speaking your mind, trying something new, or simply being yourself in a world that pressures you to fit in, courage shows up in everyday choices. This is defined as ‘personal bravery’, which is when someone does what is brave for them, as an individual.                               

Everyday bravery is the quiet courage people show in ordinary moments. It isn’t about grand, heroic acts – it’s about facing small challenges with strength and integrity.

Everyday bravery looks like speaking up when something feels wrong, it’s standing by a friend who’s being left out, or admitting a mistake when it would be easier to hide it. It’s anyone who chooses kindness over cruelty, honesty over silence, or effort over fear of failure.

You don’t need a stage, a uniform, or a headline, just the willingness to act from your values, even when it’s hard. What makes everyday bravery special is that it’s accessible to everyone.

Bravery is key to self-growth because it pushes us beyond our comfort zones. It helps us face challenges, take risks, and learn from our failures. Each brave step builds confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. Without courage, we stay stuck, but with it, we grow into stronger, wiser versions of ourselves.

Article written by Lucy, Hannah, Millie and Bella (Year 12)