New Head of School aims to lead by example
Jonas Freeman has been appointed as Tonbridge’s Head of School for the coming academic year.
Jonas (MH4) will be assisted by Eddie Adams (OH4) and Joe Baldwin (HS4), who are taking up roles as Deputy Heads of School.
“I have always looked up to the Heads of School in my time at Tonbridge,” he said, adding that he was delighted to be appointed. “Applying for the position was reflection of my desire to inspire the next generation of student leaders at Tonbridge, in the same way that previous Heads of School have inspired me.”
Jonas looks forward to being part of an “energetic and reinvigorated” school community, which is displaying a renewed sense of purpose following the national lockdowns. “I hope to help build a strong and connected Tonbridge community for the coming years, and part of my role is to help motivate every boy to be the best version of himself – poised, but with a quiet self-confidence, which are certainly Tonbridge qualities.”
His personal highlights to date include volunteering for the Royal British Legion, visits to New Zealand and China, and playing football in Finland. “I have been encouraged to pursue my interests and to try as many new things as possible,” Jonas said. “I’ve even learned three languages from scratch. These experiences have rounded me out as a person and shown me what it is possible to go on and achieve.”
A member of the School’s Debating Society, Jonas aims to read Modern Languages at university, specifically French and Portuguese, and is interested in a career which will make use of his skills as a linguist.
Current Head of School Hector Day-Lunn (MH5) congratulated his successor. “Jonas is someone I know well from our time together in Manor House. He is fantastically capable of serving as Head of School, and will do so with great zeal and commitment,” he said. “I know his year group will support him in all his endeavours, and Jonas will also receive great help from his deputies, Eddie and Joe.”
Hector added: “Though this year has been a little truncated due to the pandemic, it has remained a great honour to serve as Head of School.”
Eddie intends to read History at university, is looking forward to performing in the Lower Sixth play in June, and lists House Music as his favourite annual event. As Deputy Head of School, he will provide Jonas and Joe with all the support they need in order to carry out their roles. He added: “I’d like to urge boys to make the most of the co-curricular opportunities at Tonbridge, and to help further strengthen inter-year relationships.”
Joe’s aim is to “inspire boys to get involved in wider school life”, and he looks forward to playing his part in furthering “an inclusive and accepting culture, where boys feel comfortable to be themselves”. A keen sportsman, his highlights at Tonbridge include the U15 National Cup Cricket win, and he describes his time at Tonbridge as incredibly “enriching and enjoyable – I have absolutely loved it so far”. Joe hopes to read English at university.
James Priory, Tonbridge’s Headmaster, said he received an outstanding set of applications for these positions. “I was impressed by the thoughtfulness and insight offered by all boys as they reflected on their experiences at Tonbridge, and set out their hopes for what could be achieved next year,” he said.
“Jonas, Eddie and Joe will make an outstanding team and I look forward to working with them in the near future.”
Housemasters will now be leading the process of identifying Heads of House and making recommendations for next year’s School Praes.
Pictured above: Jonas (centre) with Joe (left) and Eddie.
Below: The boys pictured at the School this week.
