Students take to the stage for TEDx St Swithun’s School

St Swithun’s School in Winchester was the venue for an evening of thought-provoking presentations earlier this week at the inaugural TEDX St Swithun’s event.

Hosted expertly by students Julia C and Georgie B, ten speakers from years 9,10 and 12 discussed a range of fascinating topics around the theme of ‘Perspectives’ in front of a packed Harvey Hall.

In the TEDx style, all talks were delivered without notes, slides or autocues on the famous red circle of the TEDx stage. Talks ranged from the mystery of dark energy, the joy of taking risks, why cinema matters, right through to one student’s choice not to have a smartphone.

Notable guests included headmistress Jane Gandee, the Mayor of Winchester Councillor Jamie Scott as well as parents and students from across the two schools.

The speakers were:

• Alice O (L6): ‘Why Cinema Matters’

Alice argued that despite the rise of streaming and short-form content, cinema remains vital as a shared, immersive experience. She warned that algorithms and shrinking attention spans risk eroding both storytelling depth and cultural connection.

• Alexis B (M5): ‘The Mysteries of Dark Energy’

Alexis explored the discovery of dark energy and how it challenges our understanding of the universe. She highlighted that most of reality is invisible and that ongoing research could reshape fundamental physics and future technologies.

• Natalie Y (L6): ‘Cashless – At What Cost?’

Natalie examined the shift toward a cashless economy. She cautioned that while digital payments bring convenience, they threaten privacy, widen inequality, and concentrate power in the hands of corporations and governments.

• Belle L (M5): ‘The Joy of Risk’

Belle discussed the psychology of risk-taking, explaining how adolescence and social influence shape impulsive behaviour. She argued that calculated risks – rather than reckless ones – can foster growth, confidence, and fulfilment.

• Sophie C (L6): ‘Face Value’

Sophie highlighted how quickly people form judgments based on appearance and how media stereotypes fuel discrimination against those with visible differences. Her passionate talk called for greater awareness and more thoughtful representation.

• Emilia R (L5): ‘Same Sound, Different Worlds’

Emilia showed that sound and music are interpreted differently by each individual, shaped by culture and experience. She suggested that misunderstandings in everyday life often stem from differing personal perceptions rather than disagreement.

• Sophie M (M5): ‘When Gaming Becomes Gambling’

Sophie’s talk exposed the addictive mechanics of “gacha” video games, comparing them to gambling. She warned the audience that their design can manipulate players – especially young people – into repetitive spending and long-term behavioural risks.

• Eliza-Grace (M5): ‘Much Ado About Relevance’

Eliza Grace argued that Shakespeare remains culturally vital but risks losing relevance, advocating for modern adaptations and greater accessibility to help younger generations connect with his enduring themes.

• Anissa S (L6): ‘The Myth of the Orient’

Anissa examined how Western narratives have historically distorted Eastern cultures through “orientalism,”. She showed how these myths continue to shape prejudice and stressed the importance of telling more accurate, authentic stories.

• Seren U (L5): ‘Lifetime Stats and Your Phone’

Seren reflected on opting out of smartphone use, arguing that algorithms are designed to capture attention and can limit creativity and real-life connection. She finished the final talk of the evening with an appeal to the audience to take control of how they spend their time.

Reflecting on the event, organiser and head of academic enrichment Victoria Taylor said, “Following a competitive audition process, each of our inspiring speakers chose a topic that mattered to them, researched it thoroughly, and committed time and energy to writing and memorising their talk. Their ambition and determination led to startling, compelling performances that raised vital questions about how we think, the judgements we form, and how we choose to live our lives.”

Jane Gandee, St Swithun’s headmistress, added, “We firmly believe in the importance of giving girls the opportunity to take a risk, try something different and find their voice.”

Audience members described the evening as ‘awe-inspiring – brave, thought-provoking, and at times deeply moving’, with one commenting that ‘the future is safe if young people can think and speak and act like this’.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a programme of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.