During the recent handover assembly, I remember catching myself in awe of the poise, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness with which both the outgoing and the new teams spoke about their role. It was clear that every single person was there for a reason, and that they all have something to bring to the literal and metaphorical table.
So, I decided to sit down with (or, rather, phone) the individual members to get an insight into their thinking, their visions, and their expectations of the year ahead. It was a truly eye-opening experience, and I’m thrilled to present the outcomes of those discussions over the next few weeks.
What does leadership mean to you?
-[Rosa] This is going to sound cheesy, but I think striking a balance between leading for what you believe in, and what the people that you’re leading want. Definitely a level of authenticity behind it.
–[Emily] I think for me, leadership is being a role model, and being someone that people can look up to, and respect certain qualities of.
–[Elsa] Similar to what Rosa said, I would say inclusivity of ideas. Finding a way of opening up your and other people’s views, but then also making a decision about how to go forward. I think that’s something that’s tricky to do, because everyone has such diverse ideas, and it’s being able to find that common ground to move forward. Which areas of the school (and wider) environment would you most like to develop?
Which areas of the school (and wider) environment would you most like to develop?
–I want this year to be like the roaring twenties. I’m talking Great Gatsby, we’re coming out of Covid, just… getting the community back together, bringing back the fun events. The Diversity Calendar is going to be big this year. Also, a push on Pride coming up. But yes, the roaring twenties is what I’d like the year to be.
-I think, in addition to that, a wider outreach – with Covid going down we can extend partnerships and working with other schools. And, like Emily mentioned, not only are we building community spirit within the school but going further than that over the course of the year.
-God, I love you guys! All the above, but also just bringing back the joy and happiness. And making the school a safe space to enjoy yourself, as well as be academically challenged. To have a good time with your friends. Fun – to bring fun back! I love that roaring twenties idea Emily, it’s just so great!
–For the next assembly we’ll have to bring in flapper dresses…
I love how all of you have fractionally different approaches – I think that’s why you work well together. Last question – what are you most intimidated by in this role?
–For me, it’s being in the role that you used to look up to. It was always like “Oh my god, they’re wearing their own clothes, they look like they’re twenty-one, and they sit at the front of assembly”. I feel like all eyes are on me, and I don’t want to mess it up because it means so much.
-Mhm. People always ask – the previous Head Girl teams, what did they do? You remember the Head Girl Team, and you remember what the SLT did. And you want to be memorable because people talk about you in the future.
-I agree, like everyone has said, it’s about doing justice to the role, because it’s just so renowned. Like with Priyanka – we’ve mentioned her, and you just know the name Priyanka as the face of SLTs everywhere. And so, I think now we’re in that role, it’s filling those shoes.
–And being the face of the school – and the fact that we go to such an amazing school, full of really academic, really intelligent, witty people – to be a representative of it. That’s what intimidates me.
-To add another thing I’m scared about – making it inclusive enough of the school community, and of the people that aren’t on the SLT. Ensuring that it’s a party, not an elite. I want to make sure that even if you aren’t on it, there are still opportunities to get involved.
