Friday Headlines
the weekly newsletter from EHS
Announcing the Leadership Team Elect
01 April 2022
“If you told the younger me - the girl in Year 7 who didn’t believe in herself - that she would be the next Head Girl, she would never have believed you.” Sana Kumar – Head Girl elect.
Let us introduce you to Year 12 students Sana, Abigail and Jiaying who were recently elected as the new Leadership Team after a rigorous process of selection that culminated in votes from their peers. As they embark on this exciting journey as role models for all pupils in school we talk to the girls about their motivations, their hopes and aspirations for their time in post.
Sana Kumar – Head Girl
I joined EHS in Year 7 from The Shrubbery School. Throughout my time at EHS I have been granted some incredible opportunities and I am so happy that I am now able to represent the school further. I am studying Business, English Language and Literature and Religious Studies and I also take part in Young Enterprise where we are creating a product based on mental health and wellbeing. Outside of school I have developed a lifelong relationship with Bollywood dance. I’ve been doing it as long as I can remember and it is such a great escape from academic stress and studies as well as a great way for me to express myself as an individual.
What I like about EHS.
It’s the positive atmosphere and energy at EHS that makes me enjoy and look forward to school every day: there is always something to appreciate and be grateful for here. Over the last couple of years I have developed a huge passion for self-growth and self-development; it really sparks my interest and I am so keen to share this with the school.
How the school has prepared me for this stage in my journey.
Throughout my journey at EHS, inevitably I have faced ups and downs, but I have been taught to seize every opportunity, rise to every challenge and hold my head high in everything that I do and go on to achieve. I truly believe the continuous support, encouragement and belief from the community has driven me to get to where I am today, I am so grateful to belong to such a nurturing family of girls and staff.
The school has provided me with a breadth of opportunities to challenge myself and really access my potential as an individual. I have developed my public speaking skills
massively through doing assemblies and speeches on topics ranging from Formula 1 to Sixth Form life. I have hugely developed my communication and time management skills
through being a mentor to girls in Year 7 and Year 9. I am so lucky now to be surrounded by some of the most kind, genuine and inspiring girls I have ever met.
If you told the younger me - the girl in Year 7 who didn’t believe in herself, that she would be the next Head Girl, she would never have believed you. EHS has pushed me to do
more than I think I can and I truly believe this is thanks to the school I have grown up in.
What inspired me to apply for the role of Head Girl.
I truly believe life is always about stepping outside your comfort zone because that’s where you really grow as an individual and access your true potential and purpose. Applying for the role of Head Girl was the perfect opportunity for me to take a risk and step outside of my personal comfort zone, and being an EHS girl I was always up for the challenge! It’s more than the title, I see it as an act of service for the wonderful community that has helped me become the young woman I am today. It’s proof that anything is possible and your wildest dreams can come true.
Where I would implement change.
One of my first initiatives will be to put forward a proposal to change the names of the houses at EHS to the names of inspirational women who have existed throughout history. As well as this, I want to get the conversation going on failure, risks, challenges and how to positively embrace them. Overall, I want to prove to every girl that with hard work, dedication and self-belief that the sky truly is the limit. I know the girls of EHS have the potential to do amazing things and alongside the lovely deputy head girls, I’m so excited to help them reach that!
Abigail Tomlinson – Deputy Head Girl
I joined EHS in Year 7 from the Blue Coat School. I am currently studying History, Geography and French, and have also undertaken the Extended Project Qualification this year alongside my A-levels. Outside of school I play the oboe and am hoping to take my Grade 8 exam next term, and I also volunteer as a homework helper for my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Next year my sister will join Senior School, and I am looking forward to spending a year at school with her.
What I like about EHS.
I think that it is the atmosphere of warmth and community that drew me to EHS in the first place, and continues to be something that I appreciate about school. I am always greeted with a smile when I arrive in the morning and I really value the constant kindness of both students and teachers.
How the school has prepared me for this stage in my journey.
Over the course of my six years at school, I have gained a better understanding of myself, my strengths and my interests. I feel that my membership of an amazing year group, my wonderful friends and my supportive teachers have all been crucial in making my EHS journey so enjoyable.
I believe that EHS has equipped me with the skills and qualities needed to succeed in Sixth Form and beyond. Throughout my time in school, teachers have offered me opportunities for academic enrichment, which have enabled me to find areas of interest and extend my academic capacities. Participating in the amazing co-curricular activities that school offers, such as Debating Club, Orchestra and school productions, has helped me to improve my teamwork and communication skills, meet new people, and develop a good work-life balance. Being a mentor is also an aspect of school life that I really enjoy – running my French club for Year 9, and history mentoring are both highlights of my week, and these opportunities to engage with students in other years has been invaluable.
What inspired me to apply for the role of Deputy Head Girl.
I was inspired to apply for the role of Deputy Head Girl because I wanted to give something back to this collective that has done so much for me. I hope that this position will enable me to elevate the voices of the student body, and to strengthen connections both within the school, and between the school and the wider communities to which we belong.
Where I would implement change.
I personally would love to reinvigorate the School Council System to include working groups that could address specific issues more effectively. I think that connecting the school with wider initiatives would be a great way to build upon school’s Green and EDI programmes. I think that Sana, Jiaying and I will be a great team, and I know that we all have ideas as to how school life can be made even better and will collaborate to realise these.
Jiaying Han – Deputy Head Girl
I went to New Oscott Primary School in Sutton Coldfield and joined EHS in Year 7. Currently, I am in Year 12 studying Chemistry, Biology, Maths, and Art for A-levels which I enjoy very much. Art has been a hobby of mine from a very young age; it helps me to clear my mind when I immerse myself in the process and for me it is a way of showing emotion.
What I like about EHS.
I love the opportunities offered at EHS as it has allowed me to try out new experiences and explore my interests. For example, the Dungeons and Dragons club has allowed me to improve my social skills as well as having a lot of fun with my friends. I was always wowed by the amount of support and care offered by teachers both academically and pastorally. There are always subject support clubs available, where I can receive help for my homework or just to clarify any questions that I am unsure about. During exam periods, there are also revision classes where we go through exam questions which I found so useful. I always knew staff members who I can go to when I want to talk to someone about a concern, and this care and support is what I most love about EHS.
How the school has prepared me for this stage in my journey.
The school has given me a solid foundation that I know will support me in life, and has given me the confidence to rise to the challenges ahead. Facilities situated in school, such as the photography equipment in the graphics room - it was definitely an experience using this equipment for the first time. As I continued through the school, I encouraged myself to participate in a variety of school events such as the production of ‘Miss Saigon’ as part of the make-up team, the Remembrance assembly, and the Big Physics and History quizzes, where I was given the opportunity to meet people from different year groups and schools. Taking advantage of all the opportunities available has really made me a very rounded individual.
What inspired me to apply for the role of Deputy Head Girl.
My interest in applying for the role grew after listening to the Head Girls’ speeches throughout the years. Their enthusiastic determination in providing the best learning environment for us had made real impact. Despite the nerve-wracking process, I am so glad that I have stepped out of my comfort zone and taken on the opportunity that I knew I would regret if I did not.
Where I would implement change.
One thing that I would like to encourage more in the school is interactions between each year group including the Sixth Form, similar to the House events. It would allow pupils the chance to get to know each other and make connections across year groups. This I think will be beneficial to younger pupils especially, as for me, having someone I knew in a year above who I can ask for advice on, for example, GCSE options, was so useful because they would have been in the same position as me before.
I love being able to learn new skills. As well as focusing on my Art, I recently joined the self-defense club that started last term, which has been a great way to help me keep fit as well as learn skills that will allow. I would like to encourage more students to take up one of the numerous opportunities available.
When the outgoing Leadership Team begin their study leave, the new team will become active in leading assemblies, and speaking at events such as Open Days and the Year 7 Induction Day. We congratulate the girls again on their achievements; together they will make a formidable team and we look forward to seeing them grow into their roles over the coming months.
Leadership Team
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