Professor Tanya Byron speaks to pupils, parents and staff in the Headmistress’ Christmas Lecture
The Headmistress’ Christmas Lecture took place on Friday 2 December, and we had the privilege of welcoming Professor Tanya Byron. Professor Byron is a British psychologist, writer and media personality who specialises in working with children and adolescents. With many of the Sixth Form psychologists having recently read The Skeleton Cupboard, a book she wrote detailing her training as a psychologist, it was fascinating to hear from her in person and make something of the voice behind the pages.
Her talk was gripping and interactive, with the odd quick-witted comment keeping everyone fully engaged and entertained. She talked about the importance of failure and emphasised that there are some lessons you can only learn through not succeeding. Professor Byron touched on her own experience with ADHD and how that has hindered the way she learns and manages her day-to-day life. However, her emphasis on learning to adapt your lifestyle to fit you, instead of the other way around, was particularly insightful. She managed to present a veil of vulnerability whilst expressing a presence of strength and I am sure many of her words hit home with the audience.
Professor Byron’s intellect was evident but so too was her humour and willingness to talk about whatever it was we wanted to hear. With the help of the audience’s suggestions, she created a theoretical case, for a client which the audience pitched in to create. She illustrated and talked through the complexity of client cases and the influences that both nature and nurture have on our behaviour. Her apparent enthusiasm for her career, and her desire to help, was inspiring and contagious. It was certainly a talk many people thoroughly enjoyed and the discussions subsequent to the lecture amongst pupils showed the fierce impact her words had on many. It was a truly fascinating night and Professor Byron’s impressive charisma made the Headmistress’ Lecture one to remember.
Megan Ward
LVI
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