Importance of weekly assemblies for St Anthony's School

First thing every Monday morning, there is a Junior House Assembly and every Friday there is a Senior House assembly.

Both assemblies comprise hymn singing as we believe in the importance of communal worship. We focus on traditional hymns, which are not heard so much nowadays and which definitely deserve to be better known.

Senior House pupils have recently started practising Latin chant under the direction of our new head of music, who is a professional choral singer.

This might seem a challenge but it is one to which they have risen and we are looking forward to hearing the finished result at the School Mass in November.

Singing practice is usually followed by a talk, often by visiting speakers.

Richard McMillan says that assemblies are an opportunity to continue learning about the world (Image: St Anthony's School for Boys) So far this term, there have been talks on local resident and father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud which was given by Stefan from the Freud Museum down the hill, on the British sporting triumph at the 1924 Paris Olympics, given by sports writer Mark Ryan and a talk on the British Empire which was given by Professor Nigel Biggar from the University of Oxford.

Later this term, we are due to hear about the commemoration of conflict from Dr Stefan Goebel from the University of Kent. We are also set to be addressed by Dr Gabriele Finaldi, director of the National Gallery.

Talks are also given by staff members. So far this term, I gave a talk about George Mallory and the attempted ascent of Everest in 1924.

In December, we are due to hold a talk about another Hampstead resident, the composer Sir Edward Elgar, which will feature live performances of Elgar works.

Pupils respond well to such talks and there is invariably a lively question and answer session which follows.

Our assemblies end with commendation of pupil attainments, be they academic, dramatic, musical or sporting.

In all, assemblies are an occasion to re-emphasise our community identity and to continue learning about the world.

• Richard McMillan is academic in residence at St Anthony's School for Boys in Hampstead.