In keeping with last year’s tradition, I have decided to sit down with the different teams within the SLT to discuss the new roles, the shape they would like their leadership to take in the following year, and of course, take the opportunity to get to know them all better. And this week I decided to sit down with the Community Action Team: Eleanor and Shreya (Head of Charities, Partnerships and Philanthropy), Phoebe (Head of the Charter) and Olivia (Environmental and sustainability representative.).
Why do you think Community Action is so important and what’s so important about your specific area?
E – I think Community Action is so important because it’s easy for us to talk about things going on in the world but getting out and taking action that have a real difference and really matter. I’m so excited to be one of the Head of Charities and Partnerships because it can make a tangible difference, see what we’re doing and there are so many wonderful opportunities for everyone to get involved.
S – For me, opportunities. Wimbledon High has so many amazing facilities, particularly since the new build. Yet not every school is as lucky to have these beautiful areas, but they have as equally talented pupils, so more people have access to such spaces is so importantly. While I was working with our partnership schools, I felt so happy and fortunate to see other students being able to use our pool. They would come in every week with big smiles on their faces and so willing to learn, even if they weren’t particularly confident. It’s something we might take for granted, but it’s something so important to do and to reach out.
O – I think community, specifically environmental action is so important because we are living in a climate crisis, and it’s such a significant issue that is woven into all aspects of life. We’re all obviously acutely aware of it, particularly via the media, but I think a lot of people don’t know how to channel that awareness, concern or anxiety into action. Having that kind of action within school, I hope will motivate people to make change, and see as something that can be tackled creatively in our problem solving. It something we should be doing of course, but we can also take joy from it – we saw that in this term’s clothes swap, and that joy empowers people to continue to act.
P – Once we finish school, we will still be active members of the wider community, so I think understanding the importance of starting to take action to do our bit at school is a valuable part. We already live and travel in these communities, so being part of it is a massive priority.
What Events are you excited to run?
E – I’m really looking forward for the upcoming charity fair and the partnerships programme restarting in September. Partnerships had been amazing, and I’ve loved it, and I’m really excited for a new group of year 11s to get involved.
S – Like Ellie, I’m really excited to be bringing back the charities fair. We haven’t had one in about four years, due to the pandemic. I promise it will be so fun, even if it is quite hectic planning for it at the moment, but everyone is so enthusiastic about it, from all year groups. We also have the absolute privilege this year of holding the event during our PRIDE month celebration, so some of our profits will be donated to the Albert Kennedy Trust, a charity that supports young LGBTQIA+ people. Some teachers might also be sponged – but that’s as many spoilers as I can give!
O – I’m so excited to run further clothes swaps, because our first one was such a success and I loved to help run it, and I know many people who came along also enjoyed. Also, just to weave sustainability into all school events such as the charity fair where there will be an eco-clothes swap stall, and there are plans to make sure our Christmas celebrations are as green as possible as well.
P – The new joint Charter PSHE afternoon for our year 10s and the upcoming, new, perhaps more frequent and informal meetings with the Kings, so that students really can get to know each other better which can be hard in larger, more irregular events, and that’s particularly important for the lower and middle school.
What is your Guilty pleasure?
E – Gilmore Girls. I could watch it all the time. And second-hand books, not only to read, but just to buy and look at.
S – I also love to rewatch TV shows – even if my friends tell me off for ignoring their recommendations! Pretty Little Liars, Jane the Virgin, Bridgerton, I will always rewatch, even if I then don’t branch out into other shows.
O – Trashy TV. Celebrity hunted is my all time favourite, even if my parents do hate it when I watch it.
P – Eating dinner with my Mum on the sofa, watching Made in Chelsea. It’s our absolute favourite show or we will watch Selling Sunset – which if you haven’t seen on Netflix, it is absolutely amazing and just hilarious.
If you could spend £1000 in a day, what would you do?
E – I would buy cats. Lots and lots of cats. And cat toys. But mostly just cats.
S – I feel like productive people or people thinking ahead would invest it. But I don’t think I will, since I spend most of my money of food (by which I mean Itsu). So, I think I would go out for brunch with my friends, somewhere fancy with loads of courses (including a smoothie and avocado toast). Then, I would also go to a musical – probably either Mamma Mia or the Lion King. Ben and Jerry’s at the theatre of course. For dinner, I would get Itsu with my friends (just to stay true to form), and end the day at the spa, just to treat myself.
O – This is hard, because as the environmental rep I’ve got to make sure my answer is as sustainability friendly as possible! I think firstly, I would by myself a lifetime’s supply of bubble tea, then I would definitely stock up on some things I don’t get normally. Absolutely a Jelly Cat, because you’re never to old for a soft toy – probably a food one. I would also get some fancy crochet supplies. Finally, I would go to the beach with my friends and buy everyone my favourite dinner and watch the sunset. Anything that’s left I’d invest or donate… maybe to an eco-charity to adopt an animal.
P – I would get on the Eurostar and go to Paris. I would rent a little Vespa and ride around for the whole day, and have Parisian coffee and sandwich, and eat by some picturesque view in Paris. I don’t know what it is, but I really love a colourful Vespa – which I know is more of an Italian thing, but that’s quite hard to do in one day.
What are your top three songs? (SLT playlist is now available with the first five groups of interviewees on Spotify @unconquered_peaks.)
E – Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, Graceland Too by Phoebe Bridgers and Sleep on the Floor by the Lumineers.
S – Senorita by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and Lay all your Love on Me by ABBA
O – Lavender Haze by Taylor Swift, My Future by Billie Eilish and Dancing Queen by ABBA
P – Delicate by Taylor Swift, Nellie by Dr Dog and SOS by ABBA
