Back to School With the Huq sisters

Lights, Camera, Action GDST women behind the lens

Life on the Front Line Alice Walpole

The Magazine for the GDST Alumnae Family | 2020/21 CONTENTS GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 03

The future is hers. CONTENTS 22

The future is hers. 05 News The latest from the GDST 08 My School Memories Anne Fine OBE OLIVIA COLMAN CBE 11 The Rules I Live By Olivia Colman is a TV, film and theatre actor, with a career Alexandra King spanning 20 years. Her on-screen credits include Carol Thatcher 14 Change Maker in The Iron Lady, the Stepmother in Fleabag and Queen Chloe Smith Elizabeth II in the Netflix seriesThe Crown. In 2019, she achieved the hat-trick of an Academy Award, a BAFTA and a Golden 17 My Shelfie Globe for her outstanding performance as Queen Anne in Afua Hirsch The Favourite. Olivia is an alumna of Norwich High School for Girls. 18 Sister Act Nutun Ahmed and Rupa and Konnie Huq 22 Alumna of the Year 08 11 Olivia Colman CBE 26 Making a Difference Bursary stories 30 Stop! Think Bike Trailblazer Emily Brooke MBE ANNE FINE OBE ALEXANDRA KING Anne Fine is one of Britain’s Journalist Alexandra King Lights, Camera, Action 34 best-loved writers for both works as part of CNN’s Amira El-Nemr, Dominique Unsworth, Linn Waite and adults and children. She has award-winning digital Susanna White twice won both the Carnegie media team. Alex says her Championing the next generation of girls. Medal and the Whitbread journalistic beat is “human 38 Life on the Front Line Children’s Book of the rights and girl power.” Her Alice Walpole OBE Visit gdst.net Year Award, as well as the storytelling spans continents To find your nearest GDST school, visit gdst.net 42 Mentor, Big Sister and Friend Guardian Children’s Fiction and genres - from profiles Lily Peters and Prize, the Smarties Prize and of children orphaned by Eliza Cummings-Cove numerous other regional mandatory minimum drug 46 Soundtrack To My School Days and foreign awards. She has sentences, to interviews The Class of ‘84 twice been voted Children’s with female astronauts live Author of the Year. The BBC from the International Space 48 My Workspace have screened adaptations Station. In 2017, she won the Amy Isles Freeman of several of her books and Edward R. Murrow award for 50 The Write Stuff her novel Madame Doubtfire Excellence in Social Media Alumnae-authored books was transformed into a for her coverage of the Hollywood film starring Robin 2016 US election. Alex is an 51 The Last Word GDST Events and Keeping in Touch Williams. Anne is an alumna alumna of Nottingham Girls’ of Northampton High School. High School.

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NEWS

Leading the debate Day of Dance at the Independent Dancers from across the GDST’s family of schools came together at Schools Show the world-famous Pineapple Studios Cheryl Giovannoni took centre stage in Covent Garden, for workshops at the Independent Schools Show to in musical theatre, ballet, hip hop, make the case for girls-only schools. commercial street, lyrical jazz and She cited less gender contemporary dance, and the Dear All stereotyping and more leadership chance to quiz choreographers GDST Summit 2019 and other opportunities for girls as about life as a dancer. I am so positive about the future for the girls in our schools right now. And Our 2019 Summit grabbed headlines two of the biggest advantages of an one of the reasons for my optimism is that I know they, like you, will have with its theme, New Rules – Preparing all-girl setting, instilling in girls the the support of the GDST Alumnae Network as they step out into the world. Young Women for a World of Radical confidence they need for a successful Change, and a number of high-profile future. We’re here for them, and for you, through all the stages of their journeys speakers including Wimbledon High At a GDST school, “every subject through life. And the first step on that journey is in a GDST Sixth Form. School alumna and BBC journalist, is a girls’ subject,” she said. “This Samira Ahmed, BBC Radio 4 Today means girls are far more likely to opt That’s why we’re strengthening the links between our alumnae and the EDITOR presenter, Mishal Husain, Mumsnet for science and maths.” Rachel Eling Sixth Formers in our schools, and asking you to get stuck in. founder, Justine Roberts, and author “A girl is free to be herself.” DEPUTY EDITOR and journalist Yomi Adegoke. She went on “most importantly, a For example, scores of alumnae have visited schools this year to inspire Jackie Ashe A panel of young alumnae was girl’s years at a girls’ school may be the pupils – role models who are also “real models”. This makes a real difference one of the highlights, discussing only time in her life that she will be in STAFF WRITER to our girls, and our schools. Clare Dickins “What I’ve Learned”. Amelia an environment that is designed with Ellis-Baumber, a Norwich High her in mind, with people that put her So, if you’ve got skills or experiences you’d like to share with the next DESIGN School alumna, described her at the centre of all they do.” Graphic Outlines Ltd generation, please do get in touch. apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce, and She concluded, “The most im- Printed by Impress Print being one of just eight girls on the portant thing a great education can Organiser Kira Bishop said, We talk about GDST schools being places where girls learn without limits, Services, an FSC-certified printer, scheme – a very different experience give a girl is the ability to be her own “Having taught at Pineapple Studios accredited with the international agent of change. Education gives so that when they leave us they have the confidence and wherewithal to environmental standard ISO 14001 to her schooldays. She said, “Going for more than a decade and at lead lives without limits. and a certified Carbon Balanced to a GDST school taught me to take you control over your own future. It Putney High School for 14 years, I Publication printer. The carbon every opportunity you can and I have is quite simply that powerful.” started Day of Dance to bring these impact of producing this magazine taken that into the workplace. Maybe As GDST girls who have gone on to lead interesting and eventful lives, we has been calculated and balanced two threads together. I wanted to hope you will find the time to inspire the next generation of women to do with the World Land Trust. it scares me but I’ve still gone and give elite dancers within the GDST the same, and stay close to the GDST family. done it.” a chance to immerse themselves Helen Stephens, an alumna of in a professional dance space Sutton High School, focussed on the and be taught by current dance importance of remembering that you professionals. The experience is a are in charge of your own destiny. “If total game changer from a dance Cheryl Giovannoni you don’t like something, don’t be class in a school hall, and I hope CHIEF EXECUTIVE scared,” she said. “Just change it, it encourages pupils to go on and life’s too short.” pursue a career in dance.” NEWS SCHOOL NEWS 06 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 07 SCHOOL NEWS alumnae network. “It’s one of the most valuable things we can give you,” she said. Birkenhead High School Keynote speakers included Academy Samira Ahmed, Deana Puccio of the Birkenhead High School Academy RAP Project, which raises awareness kicked off a major Instagram initiative in personal safety, and diversity and last year to shine a spotlight on the inclusion guru, Hayley Barnard. warm and vibrant environment that New GSA President Darci Shaw it provides for Sixth Formers, and Jane Prescott, Head of Portsmouth Sixth Form mentoring to build the pathway between life High School, is President of the Girls’ on the rise at school and beyond. A little over Schools Association for 2020. Jane Since its launch last year, more than 12 months later, BHSA has the most kicked off her term of office with a 1,000 GDST alumnae have signed up The Belvedere followed Sixth Form in the Wirral, with splash; with national media coverage to the rungway® app, to offer their Academy around 1,200 followers, and a growing number of its alumnae get in touch via of her views on mobile phones in experience and advice to GDST Sixth The Belvedere Academy the platform. the classroom, exotic trips overseas Formers – on anything from choosing alumna, Darci Shaw, hit the and climate change, along with the career paths, to guidance on which headlines and the high notes junior EPQ. university to attend. last year when she came to our screens as the young Judy Blackheath High School Inspiring Sixth Formers Garland, playing alongside In November, Blackheath High School hosted More than 1,000 students took part Renee Zellweger in a new an event celebrating of one of its most in the GDST’s Inspire conference biopic about the Hollywood acclaimed alumnae, Dame Mary Quant. The series for new Sixth Formers last year. superstar. Darci was 15 years work of the fashion icon was discussed at the Designed to give Year 12 students old during filming, turning 16 school in an illustrative talk led by Jenny Lister, fresh perspectives, contacts, support just afterwards – the age that curator of the Quant exhibition which was and inspiration, four conferences took Judy Garland was when she on at the V&A Museum until February 2020. place across the UK during 2019. starred in The Wizard of Oz. In an interview with ITV News The evening looked at Dame Mary’s years at in October she said, “It was the school before she left to transform the pretty crazy to think that by fashion industry forever. It also explored how the time I was 16, I had played her legacy continues to influence Blackheath Regular features include Alumna of the If you’d like to help a Sixth Former such an icon.” High and the wider world. This is shown by Month posts, job spotlights, school with her life questions, join the rung- She also had a word of the way Blackheath High champions female trip posts and even a revision tips way community now by going to app. advice for GDST girls, “Let empowerment and commitment to the arts, advent calendar. The team behind it rungway.com/gdst/request-invite. every ‘no’ along the way fashion and textiles; the latter of which it has just launched a Facebook page, further motivate you to specialises in teaching. Students have since which is also gathering followers at a followed in Quant’s footsteps, showcasing their Speaking at Inspire South, the Tes Award Winners 2020 show the world what you’re rapid pace. own designs for the school’s annual fashion GDST’s Chief Executive Cheryl Congratulations to Notting Hill & capable of.” show in February. Giovannoni encouraged girls to Ealing High School for winning the To find BHSA on Instagram, look for @ Taking part last year in the GDST’s alumnae explore new opportunities and Creativity award and to Wimbledon BHSAsixthform, or BHSA Sixth Form on postcards campaign, Dame Mary described her “spread your wings as far and fast as High School for its win for the Best Facebook and join the conversation. drive to succeed as “inspired by curiosity. There they will take you”. She also told the Use of Technology at the highly was always a sense of needing to know, which girls that they were surrounded by prestigious annual Tes Independent drove me forward to seek new challenges.” a unique family – the 70,000-strong School Awards 2020. MY SCHOOL MEMORIES MY SCHOOL MEMORIES 08 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 09

my (The trauma ran so deep that, when the equally formidable Mrs Gee repeated the Ortega y Gasset quote SCHOOL over five years later, I recognised the sound of the words at once.) But I’d been an inventive language guesser. Miss Marsden let me in. MEMORIES I loved the work – so calm, so orderly. Moving to the main school, warm Mrs Davies taught English and let me and Gillian Herbert read Author and former Children’s out chapters of our shared opus Laureate Anne Fine looks back The Legacy, and What It Caused. on her days at Northampton High Miss Sinton scared me rigid, but I’m forever grateful for all the chunks of Anne Fine School in the 1950s and 1960s. Shakespeare I still know by heart. I took Extra Speech from Mrs Nichol, she was probably amusing herself Anne Fine is one of Britain’s which was another poem learned at my expense. most distinguished writers for I came from a plain post-war primary school in every week, enriching everything At 15 I had to drop English to both adults and children. In Hampshire. Ushered into Towerfield, an annexe since. I once stopped Miss Morgan study Spanish, and I’m not sorry addition to winning numerous house on Derngate, halfway through term, I and her gravity-defying hair as she about that. It means I come at awards and being twice voted walked into a room crammed with the sort of walked past my desk. “Could I writing freestyle, with readability Children’s Author of the Year, wooden desks I’d only seen in old school story be a writer?” “Oh, yes,” she said. my only watchword, and only Anne was Children’s Laureate illustrations. Framed pictures hung on the walls “You could,” as if it were far from one inner critical voice: my own. from 2001-2003. During this and full length drapes – can they really have been a compliment. Still, I remember Spanish A Level in two years was time she set up www.myhome- velvet? – were half drawn against the sun. The tucking the thought away... hugely demanding. Countless library.org, a website that offers girls were moaning about their reading book. I was madly jealous of Alicia hours learning vocabulary and a host of freshly designed and (Bevis, by Richard Jefferies.) “So boring! Just Jolles. So pretty, so clever, and prone endless struggles through Harmer freely downloadable modern goes on and on!” And my first thought was, to fits of such merriment she would & Norton’s grammar book (I still bookplates to enthuse young ‘How can they sit in such a lovely room and be be ordered from the room till she’d have mine). Mrs Gee sat with her readers to form their own home so ungrateful?’ composed herself. I’d never seen legs spread comfortably under the libraries from the second hand I fell in love even before I’d seen the curious confidence like it. I’m sure it was table, exposing her unfashionable books around them. She also basement where we bought our buns, the magic wanting to outdo Alicia that kept bloomers, as she talked of her published three classic antholo- garden with its hidden places, the large stone me working so hard. passions: Lorca, Picasso, Spanish gies of poetry for different ages goldfish trough. I hadn’t thought a school could Was Miss Marsden truly as architecture. I spent whole weeks called A Shame to Miss 1, 2 & 3. be like this. My interview had been terrifying. strait-laced as she appeared? After writing essays in Spanish, once “Yo soy yo y mi circunstancia,” Miss Marsden Elizabeth Manningham-Buller, later without a single mistake! And what She has published eight highly said. “What language might that Director General of MI5, left us for did she write at the end? ‘Prefiero acclaimed black comedies for be?” I’d guessed at 20 or more Benenden, she sent a letter back, que dejas esta afectación de la e adults, and her work has been before she finally told me care of the school. Summoned to griega.’ (I’d like you to drop this translated into 40 languages. In it was Spanish, so was slide it from the envelope and read affectation of writing open Greek 2003, she was made a Fellow of convinced I’d failed. it aloud, I came to the words, “And e’s.) I think of it each time I see a child the Royal Society of Literature how is the Old Bag?” and magicked dot an i with a smiley face or a heart. and awarded an OBE. Anne it into, “And best wishes to Miss That habit wouldn’t have lasted long has two daughters and seven Marsden.” But it was years before I at Northampton High School. grandchildren, and lives in realised that, behind those prim lips, But I’m so glad I did. County Durham. SCHOOL NEWS THE RULES I LIVE BY 10 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 11 SCHOOL NEWS

Bromley High School More than 50 Bromley High School alumnae gathered at The Lansdowne Club in central London for Christmas drinks and a catch-up, and to hear about the transformation of the junior school. Works are now well underway, with new Reception classrooms on schedule for completion by Easter, Brighton Girls and the remainder of the development due to be ready by the autumn. The ALEXANDRA KING Big changes were afoot last year with Brighton & new facilities include a science lab, Hove High School changing its name to Brighton an extended computing lab and Girls, and officially launching its new Design Hub light-filled art and design technology in November. The Hub aims to give girls a new classrooms. A new dance and drama way of learning that encourages them to be studio will also be created, along with a THE RULES active participants and to take responsibility for multi-purpose reception and exhibition their learning. The focus is to instil curiosity, a joy space which, like the new cookery of learning and intellectual independence. It aims facilities, will be used by both junior to provide a new forum for developing Design and senior girls. A large new library I LIVE BY Thinking skills through a suite of highly tech- and collaborative learning space will enabled rooms to encourage ideas, research, lead out onto a beautiful new courtyard. presentation and prototyping.

Brighton Girls also CNN journalist and Nottingham Girls’ High School alumna, Alexandra King, broke new ground in on the rules that she lives by. sport, becoming the first girls-only Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Great storytellers are everywhere. The best ideas come from asking Listening is a superpower. Football Academy They make our lives rich. simple questions. When I first started out in journalism, in the UK. Since the Learn from them. Whenever you find I spent much of 2019 reporting in the ‘ideal’ model of cutting-edge end of last year, PSG yourself warming to anyone new in the US/Mexico borderlands, making reporting was still a very bombastic coaches have been your life – whether it’s a new friend, or a a film about the many thousands of stereotype – the Jeremy Paxman-type training 25 girls receptionist or a bartender, it’s usually migrants who have died or gone interview, with lots of shouting and at Brighton Girls because, whatever the subject matter, missing in the Sonoran Desert. I finger pointing. It took some time for every week. Not they are a great storyteller. They have found a lot of bodies, and a series of me to learn that this wasn’t my style, only will academy If you’d like to see the new junior conveyed information to you in a way paupers’ graveyards where migrants nor should it be, and that was just fine. members be invited school and celebrate its opening at that made you feel entertained and had been buried unceremoniously In my opinion, great journalism is rarely to compete against other PSG academies in the end of 2020, as well as hear about seen. Some of my best ideas have and with little or no documentation. about a decisive take down or catching Paris, but there will be twice yearly visits from further plans to build a new astro pitch, come from encounters with everyone That story started with a simple someone out. It’s about listening. PSG scouts looking for new talent and creating please email [email protected] from grumpy taxi drivers to chatty question, which, as it turned out, Especially in my work, where I often opportunities to progress further into the rapidly dentists to curious five-year-olds. did not have a simple answer: “We meet people who have experienced growing world of women’s football. Keep your eyes and ears open. And know people are dying, but where severe, life-altering trauma, I find there your favourite storytellers close. are the bodies?” is tremendous power in softness. 13 SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl Led by exciting young director Led by exciting young director encouraged Madeleine Corner and Head High’s alltheCroydon by way SHE is a truly Webb, of Drama, Emma The unique piece of verbatim theatre. girls transcribed conversations with a this produce to diverserange of people means it what asks which piece powerful topics from to be a woman. Covering to stereotypes periods and pregnancies the girls’ performances and gender, and thought- moving, amusing were And in equal measure. provoking suitably impressed. the critics were two 4 star not one, but SHE received an outstanding achievement reviews… said, One reviewer by any measure! and voices honest staging, “Clever fantastic performances make this show to one that will you feeling have proud to confidence the you give and you be shout about it.” Over the past three years, the library has been Over the past three Kensington Prep School Kensington Caroline Mrs Head, School’s Prep Kensington Hulme-McKibbin welcomed back her predecessor, Mrs Prudence Lynch, for the official opening of fabulous new school library. Kensington Prep’s at the heart of completely transformed to put reading to read the school. “The key to encouraging children enjoyable experience,” said Mrs is to make it a comfy, in comfortable Hulme-McKibbin. “Most adults read for places, so why not make a cosy environment Creating our of part – library Our too? children – has now Minds programme Spaces for Growing been transformed into a child-friendly space with inviting cosy corners, soft cushions, low-level bookcases to want We poetry. and books non-fiction more lots for level mezzanine new a and through browse to is every bit as exciting as the digital screen.” reading make sure Croydon High School Croydon School High Croydon from students August, In trip school usual No Fringe. theEdinburgh to went to perform their there as they were this however, SHE. very own play, -

Since the Rio Games, Hannah Since the Rio Games, Hannah Hannah, who was one of the Hannah, who was one of the single-use plastic. Together they they single-use plastic. Together asking athletes to commit are pledges three of to a minimum a list that includes using only from bottles, cups, lunchboxes reusable and utensils, and also metal straws. International Committee, Olympic the Gold medal winner Olympic has started the Big Plastic Pledge. first athletes to be confirmedas GB for Tokyo a member for Team otherathletesasking to is 2020, sign up to the and help pledge end the pollution she saw at Rio. “It hit me, on a global level, how this is,” she said. “It big a problem awakened something within me me to do something that drove about this.” 470 partner and her new Women’s have looked Eilidh McIntyre their use of at ways to reduce Howell’s Llandaff Howell’s alumna School, Llandaff Howell’s an launched has Mills Hannah single-use eradicate initiative to over being after sport, plasticin whelmed by the shocking amount at theof waste she saw Rio 2016 Olympics. With the of the support

Several years ago, I decided on a Several years ago, I decided on a talking to came it when rule new Whenever a potential about money. employer asked me what my future ‘ideal’ annual salary was, I would most my that number the of think ask would colleague male confident Then I’d add 10 grand. I wish I for. had started doing thisbefore years I did, because the gender pay gap ladies. is real, kicked by angry crowds in the DRC in the DRC kicked by angry crowds or having a prison officer in West physically try and grab my Virginia my hand (totally illegal, camera from I have learned by the way). However, or being reactions that aggressive be done told that something can’t because of an arbitrary rule or piece usually means that of bureaucracy I’m on the right path and I have to keep fighting. In short, if you’re not annoying someone, the work the your best. Breaking isn’t probably substitute for stars. rules is a great money. Ask for more Gold stars are false idols. Gold stars are injustice and Exposing wrongdoing hard very asking involves necessarily questions. Some of my best work annoying really has involved really, and honestly, people along the way, this some getting took used to. I was, socialised follow to as girls still are, the not make a fuss. I’m rules and still battling always of me that a part wants to be seen as ‘good,’ or ‘nice’. I’m subconsciously looking for those enjoy being kicked gold stars! I don’t politicalof out meetings, literally

only, ever belong to you. So ignore ignore ever belong to you. So only, the noise and go and get it. limited quota of success to go round limited quota of success to go round and resentment – meaning jealousy, the at parked be can stabbing back and will success can only, Your door. there’s a very real pressure to get to get pressure a very real there’s the story first. Sometimes you hit, a isn’t sometimes you miss. But there images that nurture a sneaking a sneaking images that nurture suspicion that everyone else is, in or richer or prettier fact cleverer successful. In journalism, or more down by comparisons, especially down by comparisons, especially where world media-driven a social in with insidious bombarded we are Competitiveness is dumb and and dumb is Competitiveness There’s slow. makes you mean and space for all of us. easy to become weighed so It’s thought? What did it sound like? thought? did What like? it sound What did it feel like in your heart? elicit the best and most powerful elicit the best and most powerful so simple they can answers, are your was What child-like. seem The questions I find myself asking time time and again, the ones that THE RULES I LIVE BY I LIVE RULES THE for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl “Your success can “Your and will only, only, belong to you. ever So ignore the noise and go and get it.” 12 CHANGE MAKER CHANGE MAKER 14 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 15

CHLOE SMITH

The Howell’s School alumna same faces, hearing the same “I spent two years was one of dozens of volunteers stories. We wanted to make long- providing a nightly service, taking lasting change. It felt like every saying, ‘Somebody a nightshift every four weeks month we were going and putting needs to do something CHANGE to deliver support to the city’s a plaster on the problem, and homeless population. then going back the next month about this!’, then She explains, “I left Howell’s in and changing the plaster and 2013, and went to the University nothing got better. We weren’t realised that of South Wales to train to teach creating a change to help people somebody was me.” primary school, but I got really move forward to turn their lives MAKER poorly in my second year with around.” fibromyalgia, which is joint At the time, Chloe’s sister, shop. The people at The House of and muscle pain. I came to the also a former Howell’s student, St Barnabas were really generous conclusion I wasn’t well enough was working at The House of St with their time; they helped us to keep going. I couldn’t carry the Barnabas, a private members’ with interview processes, with books, couldn’t stand up all day, club in London that has the recruitment, and they are still really Howell’s School, and I made the decision overnight vision “to create a future where supportive now.” to leave, I was only nine months sustained employment is a The Bigmoose coffee shop Llandaff alumna on away from qualifying, but I knew reality for those affected by opened in 2018, just off the main mentoring and training it wasn’t right for me. I left, homelessness”. The club runs pedestrianised shopping street Cardiff’s homeless and I trained to be a very a scheme in which participants in Cardiff’s city centre. Today it’s average graphic designer, work in the club, in hospitality and all whitewashed bricks, artfully population. working for my Dad’s administrative roles, alongside scuffed furniture and an Instagram- company. I felt I needed attending workshops, before ready plant wall, but when Chloe “I spent two years saying, to do something else, graduating with a City and Guilds first looked at the building it had ‘Somebody needs to do something and began volunteering qualification. recently been a dingy gambling about this!’, then realised that with a group supporting “We loved the concept of arcade, with mirrored walls and somebody was me.” the homeless people giving people skills and the grotty, stained carpets. There was Chloe Smith’s lightbulb moment sleeping on the streets opportunity to make a change a lot of work to be done, and very came after she had been supporting in Cardiff. for themselves,” Chloe explains. little budget to do it with. An online the homeless population in her “My dad and I did that “We knew that a members’ club Kickstarter fundraising campaign hometown of Cardiff for two years, for two years, and found wouldn’t work in Cardiff, and we yielded £30,000 in a week: enough volunteering at a soup kitchen and that we kept seeing the came up with the idea of a coffee to renovate the space, and also buy persuading local restaurants to a van which could be converted into deliver hot meals and barbers and a mobile Bigmoose coffee shop, hairdressers to provide haircuts to which Chloe’s father now drives to rough sleepers. festivals and sporting events. Photograph by Mary Wycherley, Two Cats In The Yard Photography CHANGE MAKER MY SHELFIE 16 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 17 SCHOOL NEWS “We have been open since Newcastle High School for Girls my March 2018, and we now have a fully Newcastle High School for Girls has been operational coffee shop and event awarded the prestigious Sunday Times Northeast space employing 22 staff. We employ, Independent Secondary School of the Year, thanks SHELFIE train and mentor people who have to its outstanding improvement in the Sunday Times experienced homelessness and other Parent Power league table position, and the wider, Afua Hirsch, author and broadcaster, and Wimbledon disadvantaged, vulnerable people. holistic aspects of the education it provides. High School alumna takes us through the books that People who have struggled with their NHSG Head, Michael Tippett, said: “I am have delighted and inspired her. mental health can come to us for absolutely thrilled that the achievements of the support, and when they are ready we school, staff and girls have been recognised in give them barista training and career this way. We will continue to focus on academic mentoring. Sometimes it can be hard improvement across the whole school, delivering to get people to understand that they an education where girls achieve outstanding “the first piece of literature since Song of Solomon, Toni Morrison need to be at a certain stage before academic success as well as instilling them with the Book of Genesis that should If I were to pick one author who changed they will be ready for work, before we confidence and self-belief and empowering them be required reading for the entire my life, and inspired me to write, it may can help them. We have a counsellor, to be leaders, trailblazers and world shapers.” human race." It is an incredible well have been Toni Morrison. She was Graeme, who works with us, providing NHSG Junior School has also been recognised, feat of human imagination, but it an exceptionally gifted storyteller, support and a safe space to anyone winning the Gilt Award from the Primary Science also spoke to me more personally who bought stories about her own who needs it. At the moment we’re Quality Mark, in recognition of the quality of about families, heritage, and how heritage – as an African-American working with one young person who its science leadership and teaching. Alongside The Famished Road, Ben Okri we remember history. descended from the experience of has experienced lots of addictions. classroom activities, initiatives such as the Mother I think this is one of the most magical slavery – to a global audience. Song They are not ready to start work yet, and Daughter Science Fair, which saw girls and novels ever written. I discovered it Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys of Solomon is a coming of age story but we are working hard to get to mums undertaking, demonstrating and explaining long after it won the Booker Prize I’m obsessed with this book, for about Macon ‘Milkman’ Dead III, a that stage. a range of science experiments from robots that in 1991, but its story of a spirit child, reasons which have their roots during black boy growing up in Michigan, “We became a registered charity can draw, to the creation of ‘elephant’s toothpaste’. last year, and our three point plan is: destined to return to another realm my time at school. Like generations told with typically beautiful prose and Homelessness, Mental Health and but determined to remain among of English GCSE students, we read a masterful narrative. Morrison was that the Prevention of Suicide. We have the living, is a hypnotic and timeless Jane Eyre, and I was intrigued by rare author able to reveal the sins of her a lot of people on the team with piece of work. I’m rarely phased by the character of Bertha Mason, the nation to the world, while profoundly severe mental health issues, and meeting celebrities, but I was so violently unstable wife Mr Rochester elevating its canon. three people have said to me that in awe of the author Ben Okri that married in the Caribbean, and keeps they would not be here if it wasn’t when I met him decades later, I was locked in his attic. As a black girl, Staying Power, Peter Fryer for us. That’s why I do what I do. a genuinely embarrassing fan. I later I yearned for more characters who There is now a range of books by “It’s a lot of pressure on the 26th became friends with him - and he were connected to Africa and the black British authors which tell of the month to pay 22 members of even helped me by looking at an Caribbean, but Bertha was barely the story of the black presence in staff, 22 people who are relying on us early draft of my book Brit(ish) - which developed and the West Indies Britain, but this was the first one I to pay their rent, take care of their kids was a huge honour, and incredibly a haunting yet undeveloped read, and for decades it was the and so on. It’s a big responsibility, but helpful. presence in the book. Rhys – who most comprehensive, authoritative I wouldn’t change it. I can’t imagine was of Creole Caribbean heritage history. Fryer was a young journalist working for someone else or having 100 Years of Solitude, Gabriel herself – wrote Wide Sargasso Sea who happened to be at Tilbury Docks a normal job.” Garcia Marquez as a prequel, telling the story of when the famous ship The Windrush At some point in my 20s I discovered Bertha from her own perspective. arrived in 1947, and his fascination www.bigmoosecoffeecompany.co that I loved magical realism. Marquez’s In the process she raises so many with the story of these Caribbean novel has been a literary sensation questions about Empire, gender, immigrants set him on a lifelong ever since it was published in 1967. love and race that this book is a gift journey to understand the history of The New York Times reviewed it as that keeps on giving. people of African heritage in Britain. SISTER ACT SISTER ACT 18 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 19

“When we were at “They came to England with refugee school it was very status, and worked their way up from nothing; a lot of the teachers from my much about ‘girls era had incredible back stories and SISTER ACT can do anything’ and were really inspirational,”she says. Rupa highlights the predominantly ‘you’re not limited’. female teaching staff during her It was the idea that NHEHS days, resulting in female role models in all subjects, and a the sky is the limit, gender stereotype-free environment all round. But it was also about and you can do female role modelling. More names anything you like.” are reeled off; Mrs Fitz, Miss Percy, Mrs Whitfield and Mrs Rhys, Rupa’s A-Level politics teacher, before the The teachers and the teachings three sisters start to look at the Sitting in the library at NHEHS, influence their teachers had on them. Nutun and Konnie reminisce about Konnie adds, “There’s a real trend, the old science block and the day especially in children’s literature, the helicopter landed in the school to have inspirational women role grounds. Rupa leans forward, “I models… and I feel the school had remember the individual teachers,” that ethos before it became trendy.” she says. Miss Chapman, whose matchless timetabling meant that Where reputations are made every girl in the Sixth Form was able It’s easy to gain a reputation at to pursue her own, unique blend school, but whether it’s an accurate of A Levels and Mrs Sergeant, to reflection of who you are, or who whom Konnie attributes her break you will become, was where the into television. conversation headed next. “The teachers like Mrs Sergeant “I was known as Red Rupa, really stuck their necks out,” Konnie Labour MP Rupa says, “because says. The fledgling TV presenter was I always wore red socks. I was just going to auditions while still at school, reminded about it this week. We and realised that she wouldn’t be were allowed to wear socks in any Three successful The Huq sisters – Nutun, Rupa and payphone, loo paper papier maché able to take up a job offer because of the school’s colours – blue, white Konnie – have each climbed to the stalactites stuck to the ceiling and of her studies; it was Mrs Sergeant or red – and I was the only one who sisters, dozens of top of a ladder in three very different buckets of water balanced on who took up the mantle, and spoke wore red.” stories to tell. We took careers. Nutun Ahmed, the eldest open doors for unsuspecting Latin to the TV company because “it Nutun’s reputation was for talking. the Huq sisters back of the trio, is a prominent architect; teachers. Not the high-jinks-filled would look good on [your] university “I’m a chatterbox,” she says, “but on middle sister Rupa is the MP for plot of an Enid Blyton novel, but in application.” several occasions I got sent out of to their school days. Ealing Central & Acton; and Konnie, fact the Huq sisters’ memories of “I think this kind of thinking was the classroom when I hadn’t even the youngest, is a TV presenter and school days at Notting Hill & Ealing ahead of its time,” says Konnie. opened my mouth, because of my children’s author. High School (NHEHS). They talked Nutun recalls many of the reputation. And I was good at art, Daydreaming out of classroom to us about their collective 15 years teachers during her schooldays were which is why I went into architecture. windows, snowfall in April, prank at NHEHS, and what shaped them Polish immigrants who had escaped Sometimes people would ask me to phone calls from the school during their time at school. from the continent during the war. draw things for them, but I would 21 SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl Speaking at the pool opening Speaking at the pool opening polo and aqua aerobics classes, as classes, as polo and aqua aerobics With sport. on focus larger a of part over 70 extra-curricular clubs per participate teams sports its week, in swimming, aquathon, badminton, football, cross netball, hockey, country and athletics competitions. “We said, Hubble Zara Head event, sport at NWC. Working embrace and stretch consistently to hard challenge our girls, we always aim to motivate them and support to can. possibly they best the be the importance of recognise We teamwork, with all our promoting girls taking pride in one another’s the appreciating and success value of collaboration. It is vitally in important to build resilience our young women, as we believe of character is as that strength important as academic success.” Northwood CollegeNorthwood for Girls Northwood College for Girls hockey field English welcomed winner, medal Olympic and player OBE, to open Kate Richardson-Walsh pool. swimming its newly refurbished In addition to swimming lessons, the and galas, school hosts swimming swimming, water- runs synchronised Meanwhile, at Northampton High’s 2019 Reunion Meanwhile, at Northampton High’s emphasising their importance: friendships made emphasising their importance: friendships made at the High School last for a lifetime. Northampton High School Northampton High School was delightedto Roseneil back to the welcome alumna Sasha keynote Evening’s school as the Annual Awards Social of Interdisciplinary Now Professor speaker. theScience and Dean of Faculty and of Social UCL, she took her audience Historical Sciences at to Derngate from her places of learning, around and Essex. She outlined her London via Yorkshire recounted and journey, academic and professional school memories. In keeping with the evening’s theme ‘Fearless Individuality’, Sasha spoke of how her school days influenced her and gave her the her own unique path. confidence to create both the from Lunch, alumnae and former staff sites delighted in and Hardingstone Derngate catching up on some 30 years since they had seen the toasted Stringer Helen Dr Head other. each friendships made during school years, precious The uniform may have changed, The uniform was very much ‘girls can do anything’ do can ‘girls much very was not limited’. It was the and ‘you’re idea that the sky is the limit, and you can do anything you like.” and the Huq sisters have left their prank phone-call days behind them, but the message is still the same. Notting Hill & Ealing High School learn girls where place a still is without limits. “I was the middle one,” adds “I was theadds middle one,” Nutun laughs, “Yes, she got away Nutun laughs, “Yes, “Some of“Some refugee with England to came teachers our a lot up from nothing; way their worked and status, of era had incredible back from my the teachers inspirational.” really and were stories want her to go out of London for for London of out go to her want But by Konnie… well, she university. got away with murder.” do could She murder! blue with whatever she wanted.” But then she at “When school we it were reflects, Rupa, “Nutun had the time, strictest because our parents including from didn’t they so born, first the was she Cookie! ...and the Most Cookie! ...and the Most

“Wait,” says Nutun, “did you “did you Nutun, says “Wait,” Nutun jumps in at thisin at “I Nutun jumps point, “I doodle now in my children’s “I doodle now in my children’s Konnie thinks she was probably Konnie thinks she was probably Rupa explains, “I think that Rupa explains, “I think that academic rigour.” their own perspective. I enjoyed their own perspective. I enjoyed school. I enjoyed the socialising, necessarily enjoy the even if I didn’t Konnie went there, it was more it was more Konnie went there, liberal.” think everyone sees things from dark panelling everywhere… I was dark panelling everywhere… between the two and by the time over the generations, my parents over the generations, my parents softened and the school got more she went, Nutun When back. laid was a child of the 60s, it was all with foreboding, and dark very question of who had it best in the Konnie looks surprised. Huq family. The best of times Laughing, both Nutun and Rupa point at Konnie when asked the the nick that hedgehog from hedgehog that I used to do?” . There’s a bird I always used a bird Cookie. There’s and these hedgehogs, and to draw, both in the book now and they’re changed at all.” they haven’t letters and postcards to people to people letters and postcards and actually a lot of the doodles in theexactlytheas stuff same are book, ,” says Annoying Boy in the World Konnie. “I used to write notes and doodling in the margins of her of her doodling in the margins school work. myself.” chattyknown for “being a bit and the wall,”and is reminded a bit off by her sisters that she was forever help them and get no work done SISTER ACT SISTER for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl 20 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR ALUMNA OF THE YEAR 22 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 23

In The Favourite, for which she won for her in 2011. She was cast as a “I hate the loss of anonymity,” she the 2019 Academy Award for Best physically and psychologically says. “No one teaches you how to Actress, she put on over two stone in abused wife who forms an unlikely deal with that. I now just tend to stay ALUMNA OF weight to play the mercurial, tyranical friendship with a violent widower. home because it’s so weird not to be Queen Anne, and is frequently shown That led to Broadchurch, and the on an equal footing with people.” in deliberately unflattering scenes. role of Detective Sgt Ellie Miller, one It was in a vain attempt to keep Growing up in north Norfolk, the of the lead investigators – alongside a lid on her ever-growing fame that THE YEAR daughter of a nurse and a chartered David Tennant’s Detective Inspector when she was given a CBE in the surveyor, Colman attended Norwich Hardy – in a search for the killer of Queen’s Birthday Honours list in Actress Olivia Colman has won BAFTAs, Golden Globes and an Academy High School and dreamed of being an an 11-year-old boy. 2019, she had it awarded in her actor from a young age, but “it was a “Olivia absolutely embodies married name, Sarah Sinclair. ‘I was Award, and in 2019 she was voted GDST Alumna of the Year. secret dream, like talking to animals”. all of our contradictions,” says thinking it would cause less fuss, and Chris Chibnall, who had Colman in be nice and private,’ she said, ‘but mind for the part when he wrote now everyone just knows my real Broadchurch. “She’s not afraid to name.’ Good luck finding someone with After a spell at teacher training cry but she’s also incredibly tough. It is her magnetic empathy –“like a bad word to say about Norwich college, where she successfully She’s funny, but she’s able to go a watch with the mechanism visible” High School for Girls alumna Olivia auditioned for the Cambridge into the deepest, darkest emotional according to her Rev co-star Tom Colman. She may have an awards University amateur dramatics territory. She inhabits a character Hollander – which means that we cabinet stuffed with silverware – an group, Footlights, she studied at from the inside out and, most of all feel that we know her so well. Oscar, three BAFTAS, four Golden the Bristol Old Vic drama school. all, she understands what it is like Who among us would not like to Globes, four BFI awards, a BFI After graduating in 1999, she to be alive – how ridiculous it is, sit at her kitchen table over a pot Fellowship and, of course, our GDST went for audition after audition, how heartbreaking it is and how of tea, telling stories, sharing jokes Alumna of the Year award, at the last working as a cleaner and as a wonderful it is.” and putting the world to rights? count – but they haven’t brought with secretary –“not a very good Since Broadchurch, Colman has Despite her desperate longing to them any sense of entitlement. Ask one, although I was cheery” – starred in a number of substantial stay out of the public eye and keep anyone who has worked with Colman to make ends meet while she projects, including ITV’s The Night herself, and her family, as private as – Collie to her friends – and they will waited for the phone call to Manager, the BBC production of possible, she is in grave danger of fall over themselves to tell you how come. She has said, “My mum Les Misérables, and of course The becoming something of a national wonderful she is to work with; how had said, ‘You’ll probably give it Favourite. Most recently she has treasure, adored by both audiences much fun, how generous, and above a year.’ And I said, ‘No, I’ll give been on our screens in the Netflix and contemporaries alike. It’s not a all, how down-to-earth. Rachel Weisz, it ten years,’” royal drama series, The Crown, suggestion she’s ready to consider who co-starred with Colman in The The breakthrough came when taking over from Claire Foy as Queen just yet. Favourite, says of her friend, “She’s a David Mitchell and Robert Webb, Elizabeth II as the series moved to “I feel a little bit like I’m not ready proper delight – and with a very filthy fellow actors at Footlights, cover the monarch’s reign in the to have that very nice title on my sense of humour.” asked her to play a central role 1960s and 70s. shoulders just yet. I know it comes One of the UK’s most versatile in their BBC series Peep Show. The work that she has done in the from a warm and loving place, but I actors, Colman’s ability to embody Her talent for comedy didn’t go last few years has brought with it a level wonder if it means that I’m at the end different roles is unsurpassed. In unnoticed by casting directors, of international fame and recognition of my career, and I feel like I’m only Paddy Considine’s Tyrannosaur, and Colman began to pick up that none of her other work had given just getting going....well, at least, I she played a meek religious, bigger roles, mostly in sitcoms her, something which doesn’t sit well hope I am, anyway.” abused wife; in Fleabag, a hilariously and comedies. with Colman, who does not feel at You know what? We really don’t passive-aggressive stepmother; in Dramatic roles continued home on a red carpet, and would think she’ll be scouring the jobs Broadchurch she was an irritable and to be elusive until Tyrannosaur, prefer to eschew the spotlight and pages for secretarial work any entirely unglamorous police officer. the film that changed everything let her work speak for itself. time soon. 25 SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL

GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl OHS also welcomed back alumna Anna OHS also welcomed back alumna Anna Lapwood, a trailblazing who became musician the firstfemale organ scholar at Magdalen and was appointed Director College, Oxford, College, Cambridge, of Music to Pembroke for advocate outspoken An 21. just aged a heartfelt musical access, she shared message of support and empowerment. “The to world outside OHS may still not be ready let women thrive by prejudice,” unimpeded she said, “but if OHS girls continue to press thein pursuit implacably, yet fearlessly on, of their goals, it soon will be.” Oxford High School Acting Dr Helen Stringer Head attended the memorial service (right) Warnock Baroness of Church, Margaret’s at St at the end of Westminster of her Speaking last year. Dr Stringer said, predecessor, was career “Lady Warnock’s but multi-layered, certainly most leader school it is, above all, as a teacher, that education for advocate and progressive longer A OHS.” at celebrated be will she commentary by Dr Stringer on Baroness significance to OHS can beread Warnock’s Blog section the of school's in the Head’s website. their relocation to different sites during the war, sites during the war, to different their relocation in the dining hall, and very large gloopy custard gym knickers! that hear inspiring to was It NGHS credit alumnae many a passion in them for igniting for learning, and a resilience they that and assertiveness carried their throughout have school the something lives; impart to aims still today. Nottingham Girls’ High School Nottingham Girls’ of 2019, Nottingham During the Summer Term to connect a project Girls’ High School launched at the pupils school, NGHS alumnae to current 4 and 5 girls embracing the of letter- art with Year writing and writingalumna ‘buddy’ who was to an 1940 and 1960. an NGHS girl between Girls thought about what it is like to be an NGHS and many asked questions about what girl today, it was like to be an NGHS girl in the 1940s, 50s about many alumnae wrote and 60s. In response, Through a series of science-themed a series of science-themed Through Directions’ – one of the school’s Inspiring Inspiring – one of the school’s Directions’ Each Other networking events for all GDST the by Alice ter Haar, alumnae. Chaired Pavita Chandé, Priya Allatt, Anna – panel their Parti – shared Cooper and Vanita stories and experiences, and discussed setting working, flexible including issues up a business, work-life success. re-framing balance and Huq for a creative science workshop, science workshop, Huq for a creative Scribbling’,`Science, Explosions and to celebrate the launch of her first book Boy Annoying Most the and `Cookie!... in the World’. her fascination activities,Konnie shared 3-6. She with STEM with students in Years started the session with an imaginative a comic strip story draw-along, creating audience.This rapt her from withinput was followed by a brainbusting quiz, and a her book – with an explosive from reading lemonade experiment withand mints a powerful finale. providing alumnae NHEHS of othera panel In news, came together to discuss ‘Changing Notting Hill & Ealing Notting Hill & High School was School High Notting Hill & Ealing delighted back alumna Konnie to welcome

The school was lauded for its pioneering The school was lauded for its pioneering Norfolk and beyond, as well as its bold ambitions ambitions bold its as well as beyond, and Norfolk for the girls and many other exceptional initiatives being an ‘Apple Distinguished which range from outdoor its developing significantly to School’, learning provision. which has Inspiring Females programme supported well women from over 3,000 young Headmistress, Kirsty von Malaisé, was thrilled to Kirsty von Malaisé, was thrilled to Headmistress, the for the top accolade school, and said, receive High School “Norwich school is an outstanding more be and I could not received have we proud that of recognition national particularly with this, strong exceptionally the category.” this in competition the ‘Independent Girls’ School of the Year’ at at the Girls’ School of the ‘Independent Year’ Independent School of thehighly prestigious 2019. Awards the Year Norwich High School for Girls High School Norwich of Norwich High School and parents Girls, staff delighted to have been named for Girls were

SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl

SCHOOL NEWS 24 MAKING A DIFFERENCE MAKING A DIFFERENCE 26 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 27

Academia was very important to “It taught me to was asked to attend a meeting with them, and so they prioritised sending follow my dreams, to Miss Kaye. I would love to know what MAKING A me to an independent school – above happened in that interview, but all I all else and rather than any financial persevere: it was a very really know is that after it took place, I gains they wanted to have in life. was allowed to do my A Levels. I met We found out about Heathfield warm, welcoming and Miss Kaye years later at a reunion DIFFERENCE through a local charity worker who inclusive environment.” in 2010, and thanked her for all she worked with refugee families to and Mrs Clarke (my form and French help them get set up in the UK. Her teacher) did for me. I kept in touch The GDST has been helping girls from all backgrounds name was Helen, and she became a with them every Christmas. to reach their full potential since 1872. valuable friend to us over the years: As for my time at Oxford High, it was thanks to her suggestion that I think what it gave me was the we applied to the bursary scheme opportunity to recognise and value at Heathfield and everything fell the talent and skills in myself as well into place. as others – something which has I remember feeling overwhelmed stood me in good stead throughout The GDST has always been at the in 2022 we’ve made it our goal on my first day there – for a start, I my working life. It also helped me forefront of educating girls and to build up our bursary fund, so wasn’t used to an all-girls environment. find my own voice and develop my in championing opportunities for that more girls than ever can have But what I know now is that my time own identity, something which I’d women. We stand up for all girls, the chance of a GDST education. at Heathfield taught me everything Lynne Blanchfield, struggled with for many years. Finally, everywhere, and our girls come We’re calling this campaign Help I know about life, and made me who Oxford High School it taught me how to apply myself, to from every walk of life. Girls Learn Without Limits. I am today. It taught me to follow Faculty Coordinator (retired), achieve the things I wanted to do Access matters to us. And So, if you want to join us, and my dreams, to persevere: it was a Education and Languages, The and to push through problems. I’m as a bursary recipient myself help us to open more doors to very warm, welcoming and inclusive Open University pleased to see that there is still an (Portsmouth High School, 1994), I more gifted girls from less affluent environment. I was there during the ethos of fostering girls’ talents and can tell you how much it mattered circumstances than ever before, we early 2000s so I was one of very few My parents divorced when I was six, abilities within the GDST. to me. It changed my future, and would love to hear from you. And Ayia Al-Asadi, Muslim girls there, but I never felt out and I had a very disrupted lifestyle My views on bursaries today are it’s what I want for others – to if you’d like to know just what it Heathfield School of place – diversity was celebrated after that, moving from one place to clear, because without the financial transform the futures of as many means to receive a GDST bursary, (now Northwood and brought us together. It was a the next. Oxford High was the fourth assistance I received, I just would not girls as possible, whatever their do read on, or get in touch with place where I felt I could do and be secondary school I attended (thanks be where I am today, and would not family’s circumstances, by giving me to find out more. College for Girls) anything, and I believe I owe a lot of to my older sister and the Ewelme have had the life I’ve had – including them the life-changing opportunity Doctor, NHS my success to the foundation I got Trust who paid my fees), and I found a formative University education at of a GDST education. at Heathfield. it a little daunting at first, because the Aberystwyth (BA, MA, PhD), a long Since 1998, the GDST has given My family moved from Iraq to the In today’s world, I think bursaries classes were quiet and disciplined, and happy marriage to John whom means-tested bursary assistance UK when I was five. My parents were are more important than ever. We and I had just come from two terms I met and married there, a rewarding to nearly 6,000 pupils. In 2018-19 both engineers, but on arriving in the need more equality and kindness, at a rowdy comprehensive. career with The Open University, and alone, almost 1,200 pupils were UK, they both went back to college, and I believe you shouldn’t be I lived with my mother, who, an incredibly busy retirement – back supported. This represents 11% so were trying to find a way to earn disadvantaged because you although I didn’t fully recognise it in Aberystwyth! of the students in our fee-paying some money while re-studying and come from a family that doesn’t at the time, had quite severe mental senior schools, with one in four re-establishing themselves. During earn enough money. I think equal health problems. This made things of our recipients receiving full Sam Davies this time, my dad was doing odd opportunities should really mean difficult for me, and there was a “My time at Oxford bursaries. Head of Philanthropy, GDST jobs on very low pay, and my mum equal opportunities. Everyone should lot of pressure on me to go out to High… helped me find But we want to do more. In the [email protected], was working as an interpreter, only be allowed to fulfil their potential and work to pay for things as we lived run-up to our 150th anniversary +44 (0)20 7393 66 76 earning when she was able to follow their dreams, without money on benefits. Somehow the school my own voice and develop work around family commitments. being the reason they cannot. picked up on this, and my mother my own identity.” MAKING A DIFFERENCE SCHOOL NEWS 28 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 29 SCHOOL NEWS I know that without it I would have Putney High School Royal High School Bath ended up in the local comprehensive Putney High School was where most left at 16 and no one recognised for its Student Portsmouth High School Royal High School was really bothered about going Careers Programme at the Three former staff members were back at Bath has welcomed on to further education. I was the Independent Schools of the Year school in November to see their table tennis two new Heads this first person in my family to get A Awards 2019. table in action. Given to the school as a academic year, with Levels and go to university, I loved Speaking about the award, retirement gift by Mrs Farnhill, Mrs Brooks Mrs Kate Reynolds school and I wanted to do something Headmistress Suzie Longstaff and Miss Humphreys, the idea behind the starting as its new different. At the comprehensive it said, “As a forward-thinking gift was to give something to the girls that Head in January. Kate wasn’t cool to be clever or to want school, it’s vital that we equip could be used outside and in most weathers. moves from Leweston, to do well, so for those of us from students for their futures. The where she had been Head since 2015 and was Sharon Pontin, a slightly different, some may say strength of Putney’s careers previously Head of International Students Streatham & Clapham more disadvantaged background, programme owes much to and taught English and Drama. Kate has a the Streatham & Clapham ethos – the support of its alumnae. professional background, having practised High School that it was OK to like school and to They – you – are a living legacy Law before moving into teaching. School Nurse, Royal Grammar want to be clever – was a big deal. who put a ladder down to the School, Guildford Education shouldn’t be about next generation, and it’s been Mrs Claire Lilley who can afford it. It should be about wonderful to welcome so many of joined Royal High On my first day at Streatham & giving chances to bright, intelligent you that have already returned.” Prep School as Clapham High School, I sat next kids who will flourish with the kind Head. Previously to a girl called Abiola. We’d both of education and opportunities Head at Sidcot come from state primary schools that perhaps they wouldn’t get if it Thanking the teachers, Mrs Prescott, Junior School in and neither of us really knew how was only based on what you could Headmistress said, “We are so grateful for Winscombe, North to do things at an independent afford. At the school where I work this generous gift from three much respected Somerset, Claire school. I remember our first now, the boys all treat each other former teachers, and we have so many happy brings with her a assembly, sitting cross-legged as equals and they really don’t care memories of Mrs Farnhill, Mrs Brooks and wealth of expertise on the floor, looking up to the about where you come from. Giving Miss Humphreys spanning many years here.” in Early Years and stage at the school’s formidable everyone that equal opportunity is Mrs Lauren Farnhill retired last summer Primary education. headmistress, then one day you’re phenomenal. after 17 years of teaching English and leaving, you’re one of the big kids, drama, while Mrs Amelia Brooks retired In other news, a group of Bath High and you’re thinking “how did I get “The Streatham & This was showcased during after 35 years and Miss Susie Humphreys alumnae enjoyed a visit to Hope House, here” and “how did I do it all”. Clapham ethos – Putney’s autumn Breathe after teaching modern foreign languages former home to Bath High and subsequently I come from a single parent family, environmental conference. Pupils for almost 30 years. the Royal High Junior school, for a tour of the with a severely disabled brother. My that it was ok to like were inspired by workshops Year 8 pupil Daisy added, new residential development there. January mum was his carer and we didn’t school and to want and seminars, including some saw the opening of the new Steinway Music have much money. I was at the local by alumnae. Students learned “It is a lovely present to School, built with the support and generosity state primary and it was there that to be clever – was how Vivienne Evans (2009) is of the school community. Celebrations are I was given the chance to sit for a big deal.” protecting the world’s oceans, the school as it brings so planned for a Summer Music Festival on Streatham & Clapham. I went along whilst Rebecca Faber (1999) many friends together for Saturday 4 July, with all alumnae invited. with it, knowing that even if I got in, has been involved in building there was no way my mum would a second sea-worthy vessel fun and exercise.” be able to afford to send me there. made from flip flops and other Luckily, the government still offered plastics found discarded on the assisted place scheme then and beaches. Christina Brierwood that was how I was able to go. (2009) combined environmental issues with biscuit making. STOP! THINK BIKE STOP! THINK BIKE 30 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 31

THINK BIKE!

Our GDST Trailblazer of Emily’s research, it soon became By 2012, Emily had completed apparent that safety was the no.1 an entrepreneurial scholarship at the Year, Emily Brooke, concern for people who cycle in the Babson College in the US, which told us about creating city – as well as the no.1 barrier for she says opened her eyes to the those who don’t. idea of launching her own business. her lifesaving innovation “So that was the challenge And although other opportunities for cyclists. I wanted to tackle.” she says. were placed in front of her, she was Working with a driving psychologist, constantly returning to her project, Fresh from New York to finalise she started to drill down into the trying to get the idea moving. “I just contracts with the Department of data and statistics around cycling couldn’t leave it alone,” she says. Transportation to operate Staten accidents, and why cyclists aren’t And then her bike was stolen Island’s new bike sharing scheme, seen. “One statistic amazed me, – the bike she’d done her long Emily Brooke, Royal High School Bath and still does, which is that 79% of ride for charity on – and she was alumna and co-founder and Chair of cyclists involved in accidents are heartbroken. She recalls going Beryl has come a long way, very fast. travelling straight ahead when a home very late that night, and then It’s been just 10 years since Emily vehicle turns into them. So that’s seeing on the BBC website that a first fell in love with cycling, with a when the vehicle in front of you turns young man had been killed by an charity ride from Cornwall to Scotland across your path, or pulls out of a Olympic bus turning across him. that changed her life. Emily takes up side junction into your path. In both She describes this as her Road to the story here, “I was about to go of those situations, the threat’s in Damascus moment. “I just have to into my final year in product design front of you. You can see them, but do this,” she told her mother, who at University of Brighton, where they can’t see you. calmly replied, “Yes, we know. We we had to design a product from “And cycling towards the seafront were just waiting for you to figure research through to prototype. And – I was in Brighton at the time – I it out.” while cycling in the countryside that realised that the van in front of me Two months later, the business summer had been lovely and relaxing couldn’t see me. If I’d been just five launched, and by 2014, with “many and beautiful, the cities we’d gone yards further ahead, he’d have been trips to China and a very steep through had been very stressful, able to see me. I wished I’d had learning curve” the Laserlight was exhausting and scary and came a virtual me travelling through the in consumers’ hands. “I remember with their own sets of challenges. traffic to alert him I was coming.” going to China and seeing our first So this became my theme. I became This was Emily’s eureka moment, product – the very first Laserlight – obsessed with finding the biggest and the inspiration for Beryl’s first that was a very amazing day,” Emily problem for city cyclists. product, the Laserlight, which tackles says. “I’d arrived in China and was “I didn’t care what the issue was; the driver’s blind spot by being a told the product wasn’t quite ready whether it was getting wet, or losing front light with laser technology that yet, which was disappointing, but your bike, but it had to be the biggest projects the symbol of a cyclist onto they said we could go and see the Photograph by Christian Trampenau challenge for city cyclists.” From the road ahead. That was in 2011. testing facility in the afternoon.” STOP! THINK BIKE 32 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 Help girls learn without limits. the day I started the business. The “If you’ve got an first way we tried to do this was by lowering the barriers to cycling by idea that you want to making it safer, and making cyclists explore, go and do more visible. And then the company it! You’re in the best The future is hers. grew and we were able to reach more people by putting that technology position ever.” into city bikes and making more people visible and safer. But nothing www.beryl.cc really moves the needle on our purpose as much as actually doing our own bikes and getting more people on them, and increasing the number of cyclists that way.” Emily Brooke What she hadn’t realised was that Beryl was able to do this because they were testing the final product. with its technology being adopted by “I think I was quite a “So I walked up to this big fridge TfL and bike schemes in New York, different person at school, doing humidity testing or something Montreal and Glasgow, the team but I absolutely loved it. and in it was our final product. A little understood what it takes to run a There were certain subjects row of lights, like little birds perched very complicated mobility solution. that I loved – like design on a bar, and I totally lost it… with In addition to the NY Staten Island technology – and I coloured the Chinese team looking on at this scheme, Beryl is operating four those days in my calendar young British, blubbing CEO.” already in the UK – in Bournemouth, and looked forward to them From there, success snowballed, the City of London, Hackney and all week. and the business expanded from Hereford – with Norwich and “My best friend was being a consumer electronics Watford both coming on stream Antonia Fraker (now company selling lights to customers, this spring, and a number of others Esposito). She moved to to a B2B company putting cutting- in the pipeline. America when we were 15, edge technology into fleets of bikes. As to the future, Emily foresees but we’re still in touch now. TfL’s Santander bikes were fitted with transportation in our cities looking I was at the Royal School Beryl’s patented laser technology very different, with personal car and Antonia was at Bath Khadijah Mellah, Magnolia Cup winner, was a bursary student at a GDST school. in 2015, and from 2017, Beryl has ownership becoming non-existent High, and we met on the No matter how big or small, your gift to our bursary fund will make a difference. fully co-designed the new Santander in city centres within the next ten day that the two schools ToTo donate,find your call nearest us on GDST 020 7393school, 6898 visit or gdst.net visit cycles in London, providing the laser, years, and petrol-powered cars being amalgamated. We were gdst.net/support. lights, GPS, sensors, connectivity and almost a thing of the past. “So it’ll like sisters – completely all on-bike technology. “And now be electric, and it’ll be shared.” The inseparable from the age we’re working with them again to do bigger picture, as she sees it, is the of 12. the next iteration to make the bikes global one. “We have a growing “I used to board a little smart,” Emily says. global population,” she says, “70% when I was younger… it was At the same time, Beryl has also of which will be living in a city by 2050. like having a sleepover with started developing its own bike Moving that population is one of the your best friends. Literally, share schemes. world’s biggest challenges.” jumping off the bunkbeds “Our purpose as a business has And her words to a GDST girl and all in a big dormitory all always been to build a better world today? “If you’ve got an idea that together. The Royal School by getting more people in cities on you want to explore, go and do it! was small, so you knew bikes. That hasn’t changed since You’re in the best position ever.” everybody’s name.”

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LIFE the Directors UK report Cut Out of Kelly in South Africa, Namibia and the Picture showed, there is a marked Mozambique with an HBO budget funnel effect from 50% of film school and incredible producers? BEHIND graduates being women to just 3% of high budget feature films having Are you seeing more young a female director. You see a fall off women interested in working at every stage of the career ladder behind the camera now? THE LENS – it’s hard for women and people Because of all the training on offer of colour to make their first short, now we are starting to see more Lights! Camera! Action! GDST women on a career behind the film camera hard to move from being a third women in technical jobs such assistant director to first assistant as cinematography, steadicam director, hard to move from directing operators, sound recordists and entry level TV drama to high end in the world of CGI. Employing programmes and so on. In 2019, female directors tends to create a Picture yourself on a film set. What do you see? Canvas chairs with the names of go up on stage to win prizes but I 10.6% of the highest grossing films virtuous circle – women not only cast was far more interested in how the the stars printed on their backs? A catering table piled high with sugar-free, low-fat worldwide had female directors. female actors in strong roles but cameras worked – how when a red That’s the highest percentage in 13 also tend to employ more female snacks? A group of guys in checked shirts and trucker caps muttering into their light came on a camera that shot years, so things are improving, but crew members. walkie-talkies? Not anymore. A growing number of women can be found on film appeared on the monitor and then there’s a long way to go. when it switched to another one a sets, and not only in front of the camera. GDST alumnae are leading the charge, How important is it to you to tell different angled shot appeared. It What have been your greatest female stories? impressing behind the camera in directing, script editing and production roles in had never occurred to me before that achievements? Of course I believe female stories film and television. We asked them for an insight into life behind the lens. that was how TV was made. I think my single greatest achievement should be told. It is unthinkable that was directing Generation Kill. It was we should lack novels from the likes What have been the biggest the sharpest learning curve I’ve ever of George Eliot, Charlotte Bronte Susanna White obstacles you’ve had to overcome been on – suddenly thrown into and Virginia Woolf. Who knows BAFTA award-winning director and Bromley High School alumna Susanna What did you want to do when in your career? the world of directing action and what films we have missed by not White won widespread praise for Bleak House, picking up a host of international you were at school? I think the biggest obstacle I had to CGI and entrusted with the work of allowing brilliant female storytellers broadcast awards including the BAFTA and RTS awards for Best Drama Serial. At primary school, even before I went face, like many women, was being one of the top television writers in to put their work on screen in the She went on to direct Jane Eyre for the BBC, which earned her an Emmy to Bromley High, I wanted to be a taken seriously as a drama director. the world. I loved every single day past? But we are now starting to nomination for directing. For HBO she directed David Simon’s Generation Kill, film director. When I was a Brownie Traditionally women have tended to working on that mini-series, even see really exciting people emerge which was nominated for 11 Emmy awards including Outstanding Directing. She I went to watch a children’s show do better in factual programming though it was a lot of pressure. Who – in addition to my role model Jane has a reputation for working with new talent – Bleak House was a breakthrough called Crackerjack being recorded at where they are in charge of small wouldn’t love the chance to direct Campion, we now have great films role for Carey Mulligan and Jane Eyre did the same for Ruth Wilson, just as BBC Television Centre. I remember crews. Drama means a leap to being great scripts with great actors like from people like Greta Gerwig, Alice Alexander Skarsgård had his first major television lead in Generation Kill. everyone around me wanted to in charge of over 100 people and as Alexander Skarsgård and Michael Rohwacher and Joanna Hogg. LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION 36 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 37

Dominique Unsworth Michelle Henning Photograph by Amira El-Nemr In 1999, Blackheath High School alumna Dominique Unsworth founded How did you end up as a Putney High School alumna Amira El-Nemr has social enterprise Resource Productions, an organisation that nurtures talent producer? worked for a variety of independent production When I moved to Bristol, I knew of all ages and backgrounds to enable creativity and effect social change companies, producing and script executing there was a massive culture of through film. In January 2020, she was awarded an MBE for services to on TV series including Luther and Silk for the making short films there. I had a apprenticeships in recognition of her work training people for careers in BBC, and Medici: Masters of Florence, which is love of film, and in my previous the film and television industry. available on Netflix. Currently a Development career I’d organised conferences Producer for the BBC, Amira has responsibility and led expeditions, so I knew that Linn Waite for the Writers Access Group, an initiative aimed I could put people together as a Linn Waite is the co-founder of at developing and finding opportunities for What has been your greatest team. A producer’s job is hosting, Bristol-based Early Day Films writers with disabilities. She also produces London Voices, a scheme aimed achievement? you need to be there to make sure Over 20 years Resource Productions along with her business partner at introducing London-based playwrights to writing for broadcast. things happen: for people to be has slowly grown from nothing to Kate Byers. The Shrewsbury High comfortable, feel looked after, feel a team of ten amazingly talented, School alumna co-produced valued, to be able to do the work hard-working and fun people who September, a short film, in 2008, that they do. Producers set the children. Being a producer means enable social change through film which won the BAFTA for Best What have been the biggest tone, especially on productions being on set during filming for long and art and help diversify the creative Short Film the following year. In obstacles you’ve had to overcome? with a more restricted budget. Without a doubt, the biggest obstacle hours – not always close to home. industries by finding and supporting February 2020, Early Day's first has been my confidence and believing When I was filmingMedici , I was away more than 3,000 young people and feature film, Bait, set in a fishing I can do something. There was in Italy for four months, only coming adults each year – and helping them village in Cornwall, won in the What has been the best day of definitely a turning point when I really home every fortnight for 48 hours to to develop their projects and careers. Outstanding British Film of the your working life? Year category at the EE British Our first day of filming onBait , we started to believe in myself much more see my family. I couldn’t have done Film and Television Awards walked down to the harbour at and my career really got going. it without my amazingly supportive Do you think it’s been tougher as (BAFTAs). 6.30am, just as the sun came up, husband and a well-trained au pair. a woman than it would have been and someone said, “ACTION.” Is there a programme/film that you for a man? Kate and I just looked at each didn’t work on that you wish you How important is it to you to tell When I started out people were less Are you seeing more young other, grinning. It was such a had been involved with? female stories? used to hiring women to operate women in film now? brilliant feeling of “This is it; we’re I do get regular producer-envy. It is vital that we tell more female cameras or edit, so I traded for Sadly, due to the changes in the actually doing it!” The two shows that I really wish I’d stories, but it is also important that a long time off the fact that the mainstream school curriculum and worked on recently are Succession the diverse make-up of the UK is abbreviated version of my name the focus on the EBacc so many Is it getting easier for women to and Chernobyl – completely different properly represented on screen as – Dom – suggested I was a man. schools are having to drop arts Photograph by Thorn Axon work behind the camera? in tone but both absolutely brilliant. well. Drama has the power to take the But I have found socio-economic subjects like music, photography There is still a huge discrepancy Succession is fantastic because it has viewer into a world they have never background to be the biggest barrier. and drama. This has resulted in What did you want to do when between the number of women an ensemble cast of characters who been before but still tell stories that If you don’t move in the right circles, a massive skills gap within our you were at school? and men behind the camera. At are all despicable but who we end up have a universal appeal. It also has the things take longer and you do have to brilliant and ever-growing creative I was really interested in theatre at film school, it’s not far off 50:50, caring about massively - that’s a very power to make us sympathise with work harder. As someone whose first industries. The jobs are there, Shrewsbury High; I enjoyed stage but the number of women drops skillful thing for the writer to have characters that we would naturally home was on a council estate, going women with the talent and interest management, lighting and all the so quickly afterwards. I think there achieved. I loved Chernobyl because dislike or who are unlike ourselves. to a GDST school opened up a world are there, but convincing parents behind-the-scenes jobs on school has been a change in terms of it took a story that we all thought we Drama has a responsibility to tell of opportunity to me. I don’t think that a job in the arts is a viable productions. With hindsight, I attitude, at least on some film knew and really brought it to life. stories that represent our multicultural there is any way I’d have achieved career path, is more challenging should have gone and done an sets. The hours are demanding, country, to hold up a mirror to the what I have without the people I met than ever. That’s why I became an apprenticeship somewhere like and when you are working on a Do you think it’s been harder as a problems in our society and really and the diversity of experiences I ambassador for apprenticeships, to Birmingham Rep, but at the time film it is everything to everyone woman in your role than it would make us think about what kind of had at such a young age thanks to act as a role model and encourage I didn’t know how to get into that on the set, but it’s only a film. I have been for a man? world we are leaving to our children. my school, my teachers, friends and more women to enter the industry. world, so I went to university and think it’s important that people’s The sticking point comes when Storytelling is a vital human activity their families. studied for a humanities degree. lives are respected. women are thinking about having and how we make sense of the world. LIFE ON THE FRONT LINE LIFE ON THE FRONT LINE 38 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 39

ALICE WALPOLE OBE “Iraq has a huge cadre of energetic, experienced women. It cannot afford to ignore the talents of LIFE ON THE 50% of its population.” FRONT LINE

here have been largely excluded national dialogue. UN Secretary- from the political sphere, despite General Antonio Guterres is quotas for female MPs,” she says. dedicated to improving gender “With just one female minister, parity within the UN itself, and has there are very few women in the been successful in establishing it at national decision-making process. a senior level. This includes the judiciary, senior “We’re now working to get it to civil service roles, diplomacy, filter through the organisation,” says academia and so forth. Essentially, Alice, “although unsurprisingly, there the top echelons in all professions can be difficulties in reaching gender are severely underrepresented by parity in some fields.” It follows women. that while some posts will attract all “Iraq has a huge cadre of applicants, there are still some, for Alice Walpole meets women activists to discuss political reforms energetic, experienced women. It example on security and engineering Credit: UNAMI Public Information Office cannot afford to ignore the talents teams, that remain predominantly of 50% of its population.” the preserve of men. Equally, Iraq An increase in the number of as a posting can prove tricky. As a women in decision-making roles designated ‘non-family duty station’, Protestors on “Yes, now is a perfect time to talk... that just moments before our aborted country that is desperate to move would offer significant social and many people will be put off. “It’s true the streets and a Yes, now is a perfect time to talk... call, the Iraqi government had closed forward. Once we were able to reach economic benefits; it’s widely that we face challenges in Iraq to Yes, now is a perfect time to talk... down all social media platforms and her on the phone, she explained: documented that those countries recruit and retain female staff, but government lockdown Yes, now is a perfect time to ...” much of the internet in response “Iraqis are wonderful people, diverse, where girls finish their education and for those that do come, we are trying of all media is all in a A chilly Friday morning in London to the hundreds of thousands of proud and resilient. The country has are enabled to join the workforce to do all we can to accommodate day’s work for Norwich towards the end of last year, and we protestors who had taken to the emerged from terrible conflict and will enjoy greater economic them,” she says, and mentions are trying to speak via WhatsApp streets of their capital to demand there’s a chance now for it to build growth and social stability. In other mentoring, a female doctor and yoga High School alumna to Norwich High School alumna more jobs, an end to corruption and a stable and prosperous future. Our words, women’s empowerment classes as some of the provisions Alice Walpole. Alice Walpole at the United Nations better public services. role, under a mandate from the UN builds political stability, boosts now being offered on the Baghdad Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) UN Assistant Secretary-General Security Council, is to advise, assist productivity and increases economic compound. Not to mention an in Baghdad. After listening to the Alice Walpole is Deputy Special and support in that development.” diversification, in addition to other entirely female senior leadership same phrase on a loop for a few Representative (Political Affairs and The bigger picture she paints positive development outcomes. team. Alice talks about showcasing minutes, we send her an email to Electoral Assistance) in UNAMI, a shows the scale of the work to be UNAMI is working with female the work of female colleagues, so let her know of the problems in frontline role where she is uniquely done, particularly in the realm of advisers from all walks of life, to that “people don’t think of the UN in connecting. This is when we learn positioned to effect change in a women’s advancement.“Women get women’s voices heard in Iraq’s the field as just male peacekeepers”. LIFE ON THE FRONT LINE SCHOOL NEWS 40 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 41 SCHOOL NEWS What was it that drew Alice to this Sheffield High School world in the first place? “My mother was a politician and she for Girls Digital learning is now fully embedded at had a career when a lot of women Sheffield Girls’, with digital aids viewed as a in the UK did not. I was brought key enhancement to learning, and every pupil up in a family with strong female from Year 1 to Year 11 equipped with a personal role models and a long history Chromebook. The results of this strategy are of public service. Norwich High already visible: last year saw the first group of School had very much the same Google certified Digital Leaders - an IT-savvy ethos, and actively encouraged team consisting of pupils aged seven to 16 with us to engage with society. We a particular interest in technology. They feed were taught by strong-minded, into the school’s digital learning ecosystem; independent women; it was a very pupils and staff alike building a network good launching-off point. It wasn’t of knowledge and expertise to continually until I got to university that I realised enhance learning and teaching through cutting how radical some of that thinking edge methods. This includes writing code from had been. Our headmistress, the scratch and creating learning resources through redoubtable Dorothy Bartholomew, graphic design. made us believe that we could do Alice Walpole in conversation at Kirkuk University This digital strategy combined with the anything we wanted with our lives.” Credit: UNAMI Public Information Office curriculum is preparing girls to stand out in the future jobs market and meet the requirements And the challenges? of a changing working world. “The toughest challenge for me is being away from my six children. I miss them all the time we’re not Alice Walpole together. But I do get home for a week, and sometimes longer, every The Hon Alice Walpole Established at the request of the six weeks or so. And I know that OBE is the Deputy Special government of Iraq, UNAMI has my children – who are all in their Representative (Political been on the ground since 2003, twenties now – fully support me Affairs and Electoral working to fulfil a wide-ranging Shrewsbury High School and understand the value of the Assistance) of the United mandate. Elements include advising In May 2020, Shrewsbury High School will work I do. Nations Assistance Mission and assisting the government on be celebrating its 135th birthday and would “We live in an era of increasing for Iraq (UNAMI). She has advancing political dialogue and like to invite all alumnae to join them for this nationalism – the building of previously served as British national reconciliation, assisting in very special occasion. Please save the date of barriers – across the world. I Ambassador to Luxembourg the electoral process, facilitating Saturday 2nd May 2020 for a birthday party at believe in internationalism and and to Mali and Niger, and regional dialogue between Iraq the High School on Town Walls, where SHS will multilateralism. The organisation as British Consul-General and its neighbours and promoting be sharing memories and looking towards a that most embodies this global in Basra, Iraq. She has also the protection of human rights very bright future for this wonderful school. Full interconnectedness is the UN. So served in various capacities in and judicial and legal reforms. The details will be sent out nearer the time, but plans now, with countries closing in on London, New York, Brussels operation is one of the UN’s biggest: are afoot to welcome current and former pupils, themselves, the UN’s work is more and Dar es Salaam with the costing $100m a year, requiring almost local families and the wider Shropshire community to celebrate this birthday with an afternoon of important than ever. It’s a privilege British Foreign Office. She 1,000 national and international music, food and fun. Keep an eye on the school’s social media pages and website, and if you would to work for this organisation.” was appointed OBE in the staff, and working closely with UN like to register your interest or get in touch, please email [email protected] 2017 New Year Honours for agencies including UNDP, UNICEF Services to British Diplomacy. and UNESCO. MENTOR, BIG SISTER AND FRIEND MENTOR, BIG SISTER AND FRIEND 42 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 43

What expectations did you have of has definitely been being more How important is the personality fit? the mentoring programme? confident in going for what I want. E: It’s really important. Our partnership Eliza: I thought it was going to be Having a cheerleader who backs is so successful because we just click quite formal, with lots of forms we’d you is amazing. As Lily is also in the as people and get on like a house on MENTOR, have to fill in about my SMART goals same industry as I am, she has been fire. I think if that wasn’t true, it’d fail and my career ambitions. I thought it able to give me really relevant and pretty quickly. would be with someone much older, helpful advice, like how to structure L: My instinct is to say personality is key, I had something quite corporate and a presentation for an interview. but if mentor/mentee aren’t aligned, BIG SISTER AND official in my mind, like a series of Something more unexpected suggestions might be made that job interviews. has been the genuine friendship the mentee might not have thought Lily: This is my first official mentoring that’s developed. of – not because of experience, but post, so I had braced myself to switch L: Our conversations go beyond because of attitude. And sometimes FRIEND on my super-professional/formal career progression now. Though it’s a left-field view can really help. That head and started mining for brilliant fundamental to our meetings, we said, mentoring isn’t about dragging nuggets of wisdom to share. The always divert – our catch-ups have someone in your ‘right’ direction, it’s pressure was on. a fantastic work-life balance. about listening and helping them figure out what’s right. Lily Peters (Royal High School Bath) and Eliza Cummings-Cove (Blackheath High What actually happened? What did you get from it? But really, if you start by outlining E: I met Lily at a bar the first time, E: It’s like having a professional best each other’s expectations and both School) talk about their mentoring partnership as part of the GDST alumnae and since then we’ve done a tour friend. I get advice, encouragement, commit, you’ll be good regardless. mentoring programme. of central London’s best Korean guidance, fun. restaurants. At our first meeting L: New perspectives, shared Knowing what you know now, we talked formally about my goals, experiences and a lot of Korean food. could you describe what you’d look but now we tend to catch up about On a personal level, I recognised the for in a mentor? And/or what you’d Since the GDST’s alumnae mentoring all things life and work. We email if tips and tricks of the trade I’ve picked hope to find in a mentee? programme was established seven ever one of us (but mostly me) needs up. It was great to gain perspective E: I’d want someone down to earth, fun, years ago, more than 800 alumnae advice or has an update to share. The and reflect on my own career. It’s creative and honest as a mentor. I think have taken part. Successes include great thing is you can make of it what made me bolder. in my original application I probably alumnae who have gone on to set you like, and shape the relationship It’s also incredibly rewarding said I wanted a CEO, but actually, hav- up their own businesses thanks to how you want it to be. to see someone with so much ing someone who is super successful their GDST mentor, others who have L: It was far more relaxed, and very ambition and ability thrive. To but not too much older than me has achieved long-term career – and much a two-way thing. We had, hear how Eliza approached certain been great and exactly right for me. life – goals, and those who have and have, great conversations, situations, and that she was happy L: A great mentee is someone who’s stayed in touch as friends. celebrating the good times and to share them with me, confirmed open; who’ll share and listen. If they navigating the harder ones. It helps the complexities of the working have an idea of how and where they We talked to one of our recent that we’re both very open people, world. For want of a less dramatic want their career to go, then cool, but mentoring pairs about what the work in the same industry, but in word, it was grounding. it’s not the be-all. I’d hope they were process has brought them. different departments – career willing to self-motivate and put in the context makes a good baseline. Would you do it again? work they need to reach their version E: Yes, definitely! I think I’d feel a of success. bit like I was cheating on Lily if I got Lily Peters, Creative at McCann What were the outcomes – another mentor, but I would love to Worldgroup has been mentoring expected and unexpected? Applications for the 2020 It has been a hugely positive be a mentor myself in future. Eliza Cummings-Cove, the GDST’s E: mentoring programme will experience (for me, at least, fingers Yes. Definitely. I hope Eliza and Marketing Co-ordinator, sharing L: open later in the year, so if you’d crossed for Lily too!) . I’ve moved jobs I continue our catch-ups, and I’d like to find out more, visit our Korean food and career highlights twice during the time Lily has been happily be paired with a second webpage at gdst.net/alumnae/ along the way. my mentor, and one of the outcomes mentee. mentoring to receive updates. 45 SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl After receiving her Sunday Times After receiving award, Not one, but two Sydenham alumnae appeared Not one, but two Sydenham alumnae appeared Times in 2019. First was The Sunday on TV screens Khadijah Mellah, Sportsperson of the Year, Young who was the subject of an ITV documentary Riding The premiere in November. which aired A Dream was held in Brixton and attended by the Duchess of the Ebony Horse of Cornwall who is president Club, a charity riding centre where Khadijah first got the bug for riding. Khadijah, who is now studying at engineering mechanical Tom Brake, former MP for Carshalton Carshalton for MP former Brake, Tom Sutton High School Sutton High School is extremely proud to be the first school in the country to gain the Mark Award. – Platinum Career by Complete Careers Standard National Quality in Careers Mark, the evidence portfoliodetailed a submittedto Career was achieve the award, To and was followed by a body, awarding theto talkvisit school to to students is about their experiences. The award by in put work theto hard testament a advisor and full time careers the school’s students the to give very best of staff experiences and opportunities, preparing future. them for an ever-changing and Cheryl Giovannoni, and Wallington, visited the Chief Executive of the GDST, and mark the award school to present the achievement. Meanwhile, Bianca Miller-Cole appeared on Channel Four as a regular in the in the as a regular on Channel Four appeared Meanwhile, Bianca Miller-Cole Sydenham High School Sydenham University of Brighton, said: “I get goose bumps watching all these videos to be stood here.” about these other amazing women. It feels unreal and CEO Bianca entrepreneur Spend Better series. Award-winning Save Well, their makes up part of the practical team giving advice to help people rescue relationships. finances and fix their Following a speed-dating format, groups Following a speed-dating format, groups As well as honing their face-to-face theirface-to-face wellhoning as As alumnae are warmly encouraged to follow warmly encouraged to follow alumnae are job news, career share online,and theschool opportunities and opinion pieces. uk.linkedin. com/school/streatham-clapham-high-school Streatham & Clapham High School girls once Streatham again had the to grill opportunity alumnae at networking evening. annual careers the school’s to 2017, since hugely grown has event The calendar the in fixture established an become and a highlight parents. for pupils and of pupils have ten minutes with each alumna the challenges to ask them about their career, they’ve faced and any advice they can offer about their chosen field. At the end of the a chance to network in a more session, there’s over some well-earned atmosphere, relaxed refreshments. networking skills, Sixth Formers have to online networking via been introduced launched its LinkedIn LinkedIn. The school page in late September 2019 and followers All SCHS include pupils, alumnae and staff. Streatham & Clapham Streatham & Clapham High School Four Heads at the Four Heads at the Waterlow Hall Gala Waterlow Vicky Bingham, Averil Burgess, Burgess, Bingham, Averil Vicky Jean Scott and Jenny Stephen. Waterlow Hall belongs to everyone; Waterlow The school was delighted to The school was delighted to to rehearse and then perform to the and then perform to the to rehearse assembled guests. local alumnae, staff, parents, pupils, all and supporters, loyal and friends warmly welcomed to visit alumnae are and join events in the future. in the hall. Two gala concerts were gala concerts were in thehall. Two theduring opening performed also cellist week, featuring the renowned and alumna Gemma Rosefield, while for the in force alumnae returned alumnae reunion Sing and Come and lunch, forming a ‘choir for the day’ the of Alumna thewelcome GDST’s High (Norwich Colman Olivia Year, School for Girls) with her co-star from Helena Bonham Carter The Crown, (South Hampstead) to give a royal assembly pupil first very its to flavour In January, the school launched a a thelaunched school January, In festival to celebrate the of events Hall, the completion of Waterlow in the of South history project largest funded Hampstead to be completely by theschool's wider community. South Hampstead South Hampstead High School

SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl

SCHOOL NEWS 44 SOUNDTRACK TO MY SCHOOL DAYS SCHOOLSECTION NEWS 46 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 2147 SCHOOL NEWS Wimbledon High School Shortlisted in no less than three categories, Wimbledon High was the outright winner of the SOUNDTRACK prestigious Tes Independent Schools Award for Best Use of Technology. The school impressed the judges with its seamless inclusion of technology in pedagogy, eschewing gimmicks and with a focus on TO MY SCHOOL pupil learning and results, and its “sheer range of activities”. Judges were impressed, too, that Rachel Evans, the school’s Director of Digital Learning and DAYS Innovation, has become a founding member of the Women Leading in AI group, an initiative seeking to empower female teachers to challenge the biases in artificial intelligence. When 1984 was named as the best year for music in a recent survey, we asked LISA some of the Class of 1984 to tell us the songs that made that year such an Brighton Girls unforgettable one. Baggy Trousers by Madness reminds me of rushing to the Brighton Centre after school to buy our tickets for EMMA broad range of experiences and haberdashery department buying Brighton Girls thereby encouraged to identify our lengths of lace and ribbon which £3.50 and then queuing all day were constantly being confiscated outside the venue with my friend (formerly Brighton & Hove High School) strengths and also our weaknesses, were two of the highlights of my by overzealous teachers for being Ros, so we could jump up and down senior education; all the while we non regulation! like lunatics at the front. I even wrote still managed to have fun!” an alternative version about our schooldays, which the whole class performed to the school. RONA Sutton High School Wimbledon High School has also been awarded the The song I’d like to put in for con- Silver School Champion Award by Stonewall, which sideration is Holiday by Madonna: recognises the work it is doing to support LGBTQI+ she sparked a craze of us all wearing students and staff. fingerless gloves, ra-ra skirts and of In other news, Year 10 students can now study a SARAH course spending time at Shinners’ Brighton Girls new non-examined course in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. “Beyond the GCSE syllabus, our girls My 1984 song is Cyndi Lauper’s Footloose! I think we all secretly wanted to understand the political spectrum, what Girls Just Want to Have Fun. It wanted to be the characters in this caused the financial crash in 2008 and where ideas represents, for me, the essence of film and the song was so catchy come from,” said Fionnuala Kennedy, Wimbledon’s the camaraderie and loyalty of the and a brilliant tune to dance to. It senior deputy head. "PPE is a highly regarded friends I made over the seven years reminds me of the strong bonds Almost 40 years later, I still go to their university degree, and we wanted our girls to know that I spent at Brighton & Hove High and friendships I had at Brighton concerts, which instantly transport it is not just for men who go to Christ Church." School and the ethos generated by & Hove High School. We worked me back to the 1980s, only now it’s a common desire to enjoy ourselves hard and played hard and this song my Madness-mad teenage sons whilst studying hard to achieve our brings back lots of memories from bouncing in the crowd while I sing various goals. Being exposed to a my school years. along from a very comfortable seat. MY WORKSPACE MY WORKSPACE 48 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 49 my WORKSPACE Maker and artist Amy Isles Freeman invited us in to “I want In Hand to her light and airy studio by the sea. become a hub where makers and artists can come together.”

If you find yourself in Brighton with a couple of hours to spare, take a stroll through the pretty, leafy enclave of Fiveways. Past the Fairtrade shop and the acupuncture clinic you will find In Hand, an artist’s studio and gallery tucked among a row of Edwardian houses. A former tattoo studio, light pours in through the glass shopfront, even on a winter morning, and artist and maker Amy Isles Freeman beams at her visitors as they open the door, which sets the shop bell clanging as it announces expensive and people are always using motifs of flowers, birds and work. I have been able to lean their arrival. moving on, which makes it hard to women with long, flowing hair. into themes here in a way that just Oxford High School alumna link up with other artists. I’m hoping “When I graduated I stayed in wasn’t possible in Cornwall. My Amy whose gloriously decorative, to grow the network here, and want Cornwall, and was part of a group of current work is all about women hand-painted and hand-turned In Hand to become a hub where makers working together, including loving women, I want to help wooden bowls are sold by Liberty makers and artists can come together. a carpenter, metal workers and normalise that as a happy, healthy in London and Le Bon Marché in Our landlady lives upstairs, and is jewellery and furniture makers. It way to be, and in Cornwall I felt Paris, moved her studio to In Hand really excited about what we are was a dreamy idyll, all of us in our that that aspect of my work was in the middle of last year, having doing here, and we’ve got a friendly early and mid 20s, running our own being roundly ignored. Here I find previously worked out of a small postman who always stops for a chat businesses, but life changes, and the culture so open and accepting, industrial estate elsewhere in the and tells us all the gossip about what’s people move on, and soon it was and politically switched on.” seaside city. been going on up the road.” just me and one other artist working “I always dreamed of having a Amy is a relative newcomer to together. I felt the need to be part space I could use as a retail space Brighton, having previously worked of a more active artists’ community, and as a studio, and here I have out of an old piggery on a farm in but I couldn’t bear to leave the sea. Amy Isles Freeman got enough room for other artists Cornwall, close to where she studied “In 2017 I took a trip to Brighton and makers to use In Hand as a Drawing at the Falmouth School of to see my friend Richard’s graduation All photographs by Anil Mistry www.amyislesfreeman.co.uk pop-up space to showcase their Art and developed her signature style, show, and straight away I knew that work. In Brighton, studios are so which celebrates female sexuality, this was where I wanted to live and @amyislesfreeman THE WRITE STUFF THE LAST WORD 50 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 GDST Girl for Life 2020/21 51

THE WRITE EVENTS & GETTING TOURS & VISITS STUFF INVOLVED Brighton Pavilion Tuesday 28 April 2020 11.30am | £13.00 Explore the colourful seaside palace The last 12 months have seen yet more GDST Help Girls Learn Without Limits We also have GDST rungway®, of King George IV with a curator- Our goal is to make a GDST a mentoring app that connects led private tour and introduction to alumnae-authored books in print. Here are a education available to all girls, you with GDST Sixth Formers the Pavilion. Find out more about few of them to look out for. whatever their background. To do (see news, on p.6). If you think Regency grandeur mixed with the this, we’ve launched our Help Girls you could help answer a Sixth influences of India and China. Learn Without Limits campaign Former’s questions and want to to massively increase our bursary get involved, just put app.rungway. Women in the Frame: The income for the GDST’s 150th com/gdst/request-invite into your FICTION NON-FICTION anniversary in 2022/23. web browser and enter your email National Portrait Gallery To learn more about how you can address to receive instructions Wednesday 27 May 2020 | A Stranger City by Linda Grant (The You Didn’t Mention the Piranhas: help, visit our website at gdst.net/ from rungway® on how to sign up. 11.00am £12 Belvedere Academy) A Crisis Survival Guide by Sarah support, or contact our Philanthropy Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the NPG ahead of a three-year Nelson Smith (Croydon High School) team on 0207 393 6898 or by email Alumnae Network Goes Online Wilde Women by Louise Pentland at [email protected]. No matter From this summer, the GDST refurbishment. Join our guide, Rachel (Northampton High School) Venus and Aphrodite: History the size, any gift to support bursaries Alumnae Network will be online, Kolsky, for her ever-popular tour of a Goddess by Bettany Hughes will help to ensure more girls can too – so you’ll be able to find other looking at the fascinating journey The Garden of Lost and Found (Notting Hill & Ealing High School) access and benefit from a quality alumnae in your location and in of women in Britain through portraits by Harriet Evans (Notting Hill & GDST education. your industry, you’ll be able to find from the Tudors to the present day. Ealing High School) The Soup Book by Sophie Grigson advisers and mentors, and like- (Oxford High School) Mentoring minded alumnae in special interest Hatfield House The Best Things by Mel Giedroyc Alumnae mentoring at the GDST groups. Plus, you’ll be able to book Thursday 18 June 2020 (Oxford High School) Queens of the Kingdom: The CHILDREN’S & YOUNG ADULTS continues to grow, and we’ll be events, set up your own initiatives, 11.30am | £18.50 Women of Saudi Arabia Speak opening up applications for our 2020 amend your profile, and keep in Enjoy a private guided tour of the Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie by Nicola Sutcliff (Portsmouth High Deeplight by Frances Hardinge mentoring programme a little later touch with what’s happening at stunning Hatfield House built in Kinsella (Putney High School) School) (Ipswich High School) than usual – in June, this year. So if the GDST and your school. So 1611 by the Earl of Salisbury. It is you’d like to take part, just go to our keep an eye out for emails when a fantastic example of Jacobean The Lost Ones by Anita Frank Extra Time by Camilla Cavendish Fantastic Eats! And How to Cook website to register your interest, or it goes live. craftsmanship, rich in paintings, fine (Shrewsbury High School) (Putney High School) Them by Angellica Bell (Notting Hill email us at [email protected] furniture and tapestries. & Ealing High School) so that we can keep you updated. GDST Networking The Love Child by Rachel Hore Spirit of the Amazon: The Look for our business networking (Sutton High School) Indigenous Tribes of the Xingu Becoming Jo by Sophie McKenzie events and workshops this year. Science, Suffrage and the by Sue Cunningham (Putney High (Sydenham High School) We now have a number of different Stage: Covent Garden The Oceans Between Us by Gill School) networking groups, which you’re Wednesday 8 July 2020 Thompson (Sutton High School) How to be an Astronaut and Other warmly invited to join: GDST City 11am | £10.00 Shakespeare for Every Day of the Space Jobs: The Ultimate Guide & Business, Law, Entrepreneurs, Don’t miss this walking tour through Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver Year by Allie Esiri (South Hampstead to Working in Space by Dr Sheila Scotland, USA and a newly formed Covent Garden to LSE, home of The (Wimbledon High School) High School) Kanani (Wimbledon High School) NE England Business Networking Women’s Library. Our group will be group. Just go to our website to led again by popular blue badge Single Journey Only by Ursula find out more and sign up. guide Rachel Kolsky. Owen (Putney High School)

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