SOCIETY: HISTORY CLUB

MILAN G.

‘We are not makers of history. We are made by history.’ The words of Martin Luther King. If you think history club is just about discussing a bunch of people who died a very long time ago, then think again.

History has always been an integral part of society, and in many ways has repeated itself throughout time. We consistently learn from history and the mistakes of the past.

History is one of the most popular subjects at Reading school, as is history club. So, here’s my top 4 reasons why this club deserves some of your time: -

Number 1: History club is fun! At history club, we learn about various different topics and partake in a variety of activities and challenges. If you think history club is just about reciting a load of facts from dusty old books, then you couldn’t be more wrong. The

aim of the club is to learn about history in a relaxed way and generally about subjects that aren’t part of the curriculum. From games of strategic warfare and diplomacy, to presentations on communist Cuban dictators and the mafia bosses of the past, there are fun activities for all avid historians.

One of the highlights of last year was a game called ‘Backstabbr’ organised by Mr Whitehorn. The game was set in the early 20 th century, and the ultimate aim was to dominate Europe. There were 7 nations represented by different student teams, and in order to reign supreme over Europe, you had to think strategically, build up your army, control supply stations, form political alliances and then….most importantly break them when they no longer served their purpose, hence the name ‘Backstabbr’. There was a real buzz around

history club during this time, and I have to say some rather Machiavellian tendencies were discovered amongst us.

Number 2: You get a chance to present. Presentations are some of the highlights of history club. Presenting is an important life skill needed for interviews and for future employment. History club provides the opportunity to develop these skills in a supportive environment amongst your peers.

Mr Whitehorn usually presents, however you always have the opportunity to present your own topic and put forward your own idea. I have co-presented a topic on piracy and also on one of my favourite artists, Leonardo DaVinci, which ended in a game of true or false. Topics in the past have greatly varied, but all have been interesting nonetheless, and I have learnt something new each time.

Number 3: You develop your analytical skills. At history club, you have to use your analytical brain. People share different perspectives on historical events, and you’re able to debate and put forward your own point of view. In doing so you get to see things from a different perspective too. After all, there were many contributing factors to historical events and rarely ever only one credible reason.

Number 4: It improves your general knowledge. History club helps build your general knowledge on a variety of subjects, most of which are outside the curriculum. So, you can wow your family and friends with your amazing intellect, at the next trivia quiz or family game night.

For these reasons, whilst it may seem that someone who lived 100 years ago (or an event that occurred in the past) isn’t relevant to modern-day society with its technological advances, then reconsider. You may be surprised at how much you can learn from delving into the past.