Tonbridge reaches top ten in the UK schools challenge for Movember

Written by Alida (JH5)

Over the last month, representatives in the Upper Sixth have grown moustaches and raised money for Movember, a charity that funds over 1,300 men’s health projects globally.

This year, a new initiative was launched at Tonbridge – a “moustache spinner”. Every week, the wheel chose a student and a teacher who wore fake moustaches on Saturdays, giving those who aren’t growing mos a chance to participate as well. Upon being chosen, Deputy Head – Admissions, Hayley McLintock took her task very seriously, proudly wearing her moustache to the Harrow v Tonbridge match, where she led the Rugby team to a convincing victory.

While not neglecting the challenges facing men’s physical health, this campaign had a special focus on men’s mental struggles.

In the words of Deputy Heads of School Alida (JH5) and Ollie (CH5):

For too long, we’ve mistaken being stoic for being silent. Stoicism, as a philosophy, teaches us to be true to ourselves. Movember reflects that same idea: resilience is virtuous, but speaking up isn’t a weakness. Our propositions and initiatives for Movember sound silly, but ‘silliness’ is precisely the point. Teenage boys’ attempts to grow moustaches capture men’s inherent silliness; it reminds us that treating emotions as a vulnerability, or not reaching out to those who love us when we feel troubled, is even sillier.

This year’s Movember campaign is close to its end. The fundraising effort has passed the £6000 mark, ranking Tonbridge 10th in the UK schools’ challenge.
Please donate here to this meaningful cause and support the Mo bros at Tonbridge.