Daisy Turnbull, Director of Coeducation and Academy

As a school, we are acutely aware of the power of words and how the role of the common language we adopt contributes to our culture. In fact, one of the areas the School has identified in its planning towards coeducation is how we adapt our cultural language usage to ensure it is reflective of the modern era the School is operating in, inclusive to all.

What makes language? A lot is often said about the role of language in culture, how it can be seamlessly part of a community, or stand out. In the midst of constantly changing language, especially with young people adopting terms online from memes and TikTok videos, leaving me frankly in the dust wondering what on earth a ‘skibiddi’ is, it becomes easily apparent that language can create subcultures. 

On the one hand, language doesn’t matter, ‘sticks and stones’ and all that. But on the other hand, language is at the heart of how we as a school community communicate. Last week in Assembly, Acting Head of School, Mrs Marquet, explained to the Senior School that the time has come to move away from the term ‘Housemasters’ towards the title ‘Heads of Houses’ across the whole school. This change is being introduced from now, and you will see changes in email signatures, signage and general use. Changes in language usage take time to become a natural part of how we speak, and that is why we are looking at the language we use across the school. 

Recently, there has been a lot in the media surrounding some negative male influencers and how they are impacting schools. The most important thing a school can do when faced with language that is derogatory or sexist is to show the exact opposite. Not just to say, “That’s not ok” but, “Here is what language we should be using.” We need to use language that not only neutralises, but counteracts some of the unhelpful language young people are hearing and using, online. Ideally, our language should help build respect for others, no matter who they are.

Cranbrook is blessed with a progressive and inclusive lexicon. From the term ‘Cranbrookian’ to our School motto, there is little need to change much of the formal language we have in place. But the everyday language we use throughout the school day across the campuses, also needs to reflect the world our students will enter. 

Language creates stories, it creates mythology and a connection between people, history and place. As we talk about adapting our language as we move towards coeducation, it should not be to remove the stories, or the history of our School, but to develop and deepen those stories to reflect more people, not just young women, but anyone who needs the story to live by.

The move to coeducation allows us to explore and adopt language that promotes inclusion. Frequently, we say “boys”, “guys” and even “lads” or “gents”,  because for over 100 years we have been, and we still are, a boys’ school. But as we move towards coeducation, we will adjust the terms we use to be gender inclusive, or gender neutral, so incoming female students are included, as well as ensuring the stories we tell in the school, and across our community, show the contribution and leadership of women.

Welcoming and embracing changes to our language is fundamental to ensuring Cranbrook is a truly coeducational environment, encouraging young men and women to work together throughout their journey at school.

Daisy Turnbull
Director of Coeducation and Academy