The Exemplum Docet Society met again on Wednesday 22 February, for a fascinating lecture from Shiplake’s very own Dr Robert D’Rozario. The EDS, run by Assistant Head, Academic Studies Mr Paul Jones, exists to provide academic enrichment opportunities for those who are in receipt of an academic scholarship, and is also open to pupils who have been identified as exceeding expectations in the classroom.
The EDS has added numbers to its ranks this term, as a large number of pupils are exceeding the expectations of teaching staff in their reviews and reports. This has meant that those pupils are then awarded with Academic Excellence Certificates, and are invited to be a part of the EDS. On Wednesday 22 February, members of the EDS from all year groups gathered in the Lecture Theatre to enjoy a talk from physicist and science teacher Dr D’Rozario. Having completed his PHD in Bionanotechnology, Dr D’Rozario spoke to the assembled group about his area of expertise, and the focus of his research, which was molecular simulations. Dr D’Rozario discussed his research and encouraged pupils to be inquisitive when it comes to all disciplines of science. He said that ‘science needs collaboration, co-operation and innovation’, and the pupils found his talk very inspiring.
Despite tackling a high-level subject in the talk, Mr Jones was highly impressed with the attitude of the group. He commented: ‘these pupils are our academic leaders; they are the example of others and the embodiment of ‘exemplum docet’’. A group of Year 9 and 10 pupils from the EDS will shortly be visiting Oxford University for the day, to experience a tour of the Colleges and teaching departments. As the EDS continues to grow, the subjects and trips range hugely in subject area, ensuring that a wide variety topics are brought to the table.
