Oriel College Honour
Congratulations to Isabelle (L6), who has been awarded a commendation in the highly competitive 2025 Rex Nettleford Essay Prize, hosted by Oriel College, Oxford.
This national competition encourages Sixth Form pupils to engage critically with the legacies of colonialism – a theme that remains deeply relevant today.
Issy’s essay, developed after extensive research in the Haileybury archives with Dr Koon and Miss Sparrow, focused on the works of Rudyard Kipling. Her thoughtful analysis impressed the judges and earned her an invitation to the annual Rex Nettleford Lecture on ‘Colonialism and its Legacies’, to be held at Oriel College in May.
Following the lecture, Issy will receive her commendation in person and has been invited to dine at High Table – a special Oxford tradition – in recognition of her achievement. We are incredibly proud of Issy for her dedication and critical insight, and for representing Haileybury at such a distinguished academic event.