School mottos have been in the news. Our new prime minister has revived interest in them with a promise to 'try my utmost', as he was urged by his school in Kircaldy. The school itself has revised this since to something more modern - 'working together to improve.'
Eye asked some Quaker schools what their mottos were, if indeed they had them.
Ackworth: non sibi sed omnibus, which we believe translates to 'not for oneself, but for others.'
Bootham: membra sumus corporis magni. 'We are all members of one great body.'
The Mount: qui fidelis est in parvo in multo quoque est fidelis.'Someone who is trustworthy in little things can be trusted also in great matters.'
Sibford: Truth, honour, freedom and courtesy.
And Eye asked around the office. Could staff even remember? Sadly, no. But the editor remembered hers as it annoyed her so much. As a secondary modern pupil she felt patronised. We can see why. 'The woods would indeed be silent if only those birds sang who could sing the best.' One has to be careful with mottos where children are concerned.

Labels: ackworth, bootham, gordon brown, kircaldy, motto, school, sibford, the mount