The end of an era arrived this week as our outgoing Head Girls’ team took to the stage for their final assembly. Opening the assembly, Daisy noted how quickly their tenure had flown by, remarking that while it felt like only “last week” they were introducing themselves. From leadership residentials at Oakham to charitable initiatives like the Purple Picnic in support of Nelson’s Journey, the team has balanced advocacy and empowerment with a fun and enthusiastic presence.
Norwich High School for Girls says thank you to our outgoing Head Girls team.
“This team is so amazing; such a variety of skills, experiences and personalities but we have really catered to our individual strengths and bonded as a team. I think we all have learnt a lot about ourselves, how to lead, how to be in a team, and are all proud of many things this year”
The year’s student leadership team have accomplished several memorable achievements that brought the school and the wider community together. A major highlight was the ambitious EmpowerHer event, spearheaded by Saskia and Izzy, which welcomed nearly 300 students from across Norfolk to discuss gender equity with high-profile speakers like Laura Bates and Harriet Green. Closer to home, the team revitalised school spirit through a brilliant games-themed House Day at the end of Summer Term and a popular social media presence on their Head Girls instagram. Whether through the introduction of a Year 13 yearbook or initiatives like Thank a Teacher Day and building on existing Norwich High traditions, the team have ensured that their legacy is one of connection and inspiration.
As their time as student leaders comes to an end, each of the team shared a personal reflection on the past year. Extracts from their speeches are below:
Daisy
“This school and experience has truly been life-changing and something I will always remember and treasure. As our tenure draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone. Thank you to the incredible teachers who are so fundamental with their unwavering support, care and strength. Thanks to everyone in the Sixth Form who has committed – our year group is so fun, kind-hearted and we truly have accepted that embarrassment is only real if you believe in it! And thank you to this team, we have truly worked together to pull off stressful weeks and events. I feel so immensely proud being Head Girl and having the pleasure to witness you all grow, perform, succeed, create and become such beautiful people.
Coming into this role, I wanted to change the mold of what the ‘stereotypical’ Head Girl is and I feel as if I have been able to show that you don’t have to fit into any norms, you just have to be passionate about what you are doing. I cannot explain how much I have grown and progressed whilst being here and I don’t know where I would be without it. Thank you for this opportunity, I hope you have enjoyed our tenure. I will love and miss this school for life – it has given me every resource for the future and gifted me with my lifelong best friends who I will miss so dearly. I am so proud of what we have achieved and promoted this year and I hope you all enjoy high school as much as we have!”
Evie
“Endings are always difficult, and this one will be especially bittersweet as not only does this signify leaving the Head Girl team, an experience I’ve valued above all else, but I suppose also leaving the school, and this school has done unimaginable things for me. I’ve loved this past year, and all the things I’ve had the privilege of doing: I truly enjoyed visiting other schools and getting to talk about my own, as well as writing the assemblies we’ve been able to deliver. My recent personal achievement, along with Daisy, has been the yearbook, as I’ve just talked about, and we hope it’s a tradition that future years continue. And although there are perhaps things we’ve left unsaid, and untouched, I can only hope we’ve helped inspire and inform future generations of head girls to fulfil them.
Some final parting advice: whether it’s in the arts, the humanities, the sciences, sports, I ask you to take every opportunity you can at school to find what you are good at, what you enjoy most importantly, and to use the resources at your disposal to latch onto it, nurture it. I also ask you to nurture your friendships like the one you see on this stage right now; look around you, these are the people you will one day get to miss, it is a privilege to miss something so much.”
Izzy
“I joined the school in Year 10 and that parents evening Mr Braybrook spoke to me about how I could get on the Head Girl team if I wanted. It was a very nice thing to say, he was definitely just being nice, but as a very competitive person I had already laid my eyes on those seats, but I just smiled and nodded!
I am so grateful for having the opportunity to be on the team, it has been such a great experience. From launching EmpowerHer, which took a ridiculous amount of emails, to leading clubs including FemSoc with Saskia, Dance Club with Becca and Model UN briefly with Evie, it’s been amazing getting involved in the school community. I’ve loved working alongside Natalie, from the Purple Picnic to her carrying me at the social action meetings. And lastly, House Day and all the trips getting to know fellow GDST pupils and other schools leadership teams.
I wish the best of luck to the new team, but I was so so so blown away by the speeches, something I think we can all agree on. That no matter who was voted in, I have no doubt they will do an amazing job!”
Saskia
“I vividly remember in Year 9 (after covid), when Mr Mangham spoke about a Growth Mindset, which I’ve come to realize is not as easy as it sounds. The focus is on learning, making mistakes, getting feedback and overcoming those challenges that you faced along the way. Whether in class, in friendships, or for us, the EmpowerHer event and conferences with other schools. We are forced everyday to step out of that comfort zone, to face that wall that initially seems so daunting. And sometimes, you may forget to believe in yourself, but it’s the people around you who can help you to realise that, who support you through and through. And that is what Norwich High has done for me. The teachers, the team, and my friends, they’ve all guided and challenged me to get to where I am today compared to 12 years ago when I started, so thank you for making a difference.
In my application letter, I described myself as “a girl who faces challenges head on without the fear of failure”, while that is what I tell myself, I’ve realised since then that sometimes it is okay to be afraid. I’m afraid to leave this school, to take on the next chapter, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like this. But sometimes fear has to be experienced and overcome to develop. There’s been times where I’ve been unsure, not knowing where I’m going, but that is just me in my sea. I haven’t reached shore yet, but I’m still “exploring, dreaming and discovering”. I hope for everyone to take opportunities and face that fear of failure, or of “looking stupid”, because in reality no one really cares how you look, it’s about who you are as a person that matters. Of course, this isn’t goodbye, but simply, see you later, and we wish the next team all our best, we know you will all do amazing things.”
Becca
“I have really enjoyed being on the Head Girl team and your Prep lead this year, it has been great fun. I would like to give a massive thank you to all the Sixth Formers that gave up their time to assist and even run some of the Prep clubs this year. As Prep lead, I have enjoyed helping with multiple clubs, chatting to the students and judging the Year 12 and Prep House competition. Also being able to work with Mrs Tea to initiate a big sister scheme for Year 12 and Year 6 to improve their transition into Year 7 to hand over to the next Prep lead has been great.
My Prep School years were some of the best of my life. Getting the chance to relive some of those nostalgic memories whilst making new ones in a time of stress, worrying about the future, and becoming an adult was wonderfully distracting. The ability to experience the sense of freedom and joy from younger students was extremely impactful and genuinely brightened my week. Nostalgia can bring you sadness from time to time, being unable to relive some of those joyous memories, but just remember that “Nostalgia is proof you are living a life to be proud of, what a privilege to be able to yearn for your own memories”. Good luck to the next Prep lead, a group of really loud children may actually bring you some peace and you will definitely make some new memories to look back on!”
The team finished their assembly by looking to the future and reminding students of the importance of community, respect and compassion. They also thanked staff and students for their support and enthusiasm throughout the last year.
“This isn’t only a school, it’s really a community, and as you grow older, you’ll realise that everything you do contributes to Norwich High legacy; whether that’s taking part in something new, beating a school record or being part of the Head Girl team, you really do matter and make a difference and we hope that we have conveyed that!”
