Weekender: Logged off – Dr Julian Murphy, Our Lady’s Convent School
Dr Julian Murphy is headmaster of Our Lady’s Convent School, part of Loughborough Endowed Schools. Here’s how he unwinds at the weekend
How do you relax at the weekend?
I try to go jogging but that doesn’t always work out. I always listen to lots of music, folk, country, old rock and roll, and English classical mostly. My brother keeps trying to convert me to jazz, but I just can’t get it.
How many hours do you work at the weekend on average?
I typically work for about eight hours. As a headmaster, it’s usually the only time you get to compose important strategic documents, catch up on useful reading, write assemblies and just do some good, old-fashioned thinking.
What’s your favourite…
Holiday destination? At the moment, Center Parcs. It’s ideal when you have two small kids. If I had my way it would be Rome.
Book? The Thirty Nine Steps by John Buchan. I think it’s the best piece of escapism ever written, and it also happens to be a quick practical guide in how to be a decent and happy human being.
Album? Anything by Johnny Cash.
Food? Marmite and anchovies – just not together!
TV Programme? Currently it is the third season of Twin Peaks and the sixth season of Spiral.
Website or app? To the best of my knowledge, the National Review’s Bookmonger is the finest website in the world. It’s a collection of audio interviews with leading authors discussing current affairs, politics, history and many more topics.
How do you usually spend Sunday evenings?
I put the kids to bed, have a bath and then listen to a good book on my headphones. Currently it is a history of the French Revolution, which is a fascinating lesson in just how horribly wrong things can go when you let idealism get ahead of common sense.
