The Magazine for the GDST Alumnae Network | 2019/20

PAGE 07 Naughty Miriam Margolyes

PAGE 20 Gene genius Nirupa Murugaesu Alumna of the Year

PAGE 28 Helen Scales on polluting plastics

ALUMNA OF THE YEAR 2018 CONTENTS GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 03 Where girls learn without limits.

CONTENTS 20 Year 2018 Alumna of the

News Dr Nirupa Murugaesu 05 From the GDST Nirupa Murugaesu is the Clinical Lead for Molecular Oncology

Memories at Genomics England. She provides clinical leadership and 07 Naughty Miriam Margolyes oversight of the Cancer Programme for The 100,000 Genomes Project, the groundbreaking genome sequencing project – the

School News largest national sequencing project of its kind in the world. 08 Alumnae and school updates Nirupa is an alumna of Notting Hill & Ealing High School. Features 20 Alumna of the Year A family of 25 schools, expert in teaching girls to be confident, esilientr and fearless. Gene genius - Nirupa Murugaesu 07 28 Visit gdst.net Trailblazer 22 Composer Anna Appleby

24 Entrepreneurs Fleur Emery - just do it Miriam Margolyes Dr Helen Scales OBE 26 Science Jess Wade on equality Internationally-recognised Helen Scales is a writer, actress Miriam won a presenter and marine biol- 28 Environment BAFTA for Best Supporting ogist. Working in conserva- Helen Scales on polluting plastics Actress in 1993, four years tion for a number of years, after she was given Best Helen has written six books 30 Resilience Supporting Actress at the and become a regular pre- Claire Bennett fights back LA Critics Circle Awards. senter on the BBC. She’s Her film and TV roles range also science advisor to the 32 Bursaries from Professor Sprout in marine conservation char- How to change a life the Harry Potter series to ity Sea Changers, a regular BBC’s Call the Midwife and speaker at science festivals 34 Literature The Real Marigold Hotel. across the country and A good year for our authors She was awarded an OBE presenter of the podcast for services to drama in series, Earth Unscrewed. Registered charity number 306983 35 The Last Word 2002 and is an alumna of Helen is an alumna of Events & getting involved Oxford High School. Sutton High School.

Alumnae Magazine ads - amends.indd 1 06/02/2019 17:09:46 WELCOME NEWS 04 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 05

Welcome to the latest edition of GDST Girl for Life, the magazine of the NEWS GDST Alumnae Network.

GDST Brand Kensington Prep Campaign Kensington Prep School took a starring role in the BBC’s VOTE 100 Have you spotted the GDST’s ad- coverage last year, with The One vertising campaign? Show broadcasting from the school’s We recently launched a campaign grounds in recognition of its alumna, to celebrate GDST girls, their con- suffragette activist, Emily Wilding fidence and their spirit. This is all Davison. She was a pupil at the part of a strategy to raise awareness school (then known as Kensington of the GDST and generate interest showing them what it is, what it does, High School) from 1885 to 1891, in our schools. The campaign has what it can do for them individually before becoming a leading light appeared on posters, in the press, and how to connect with it. Do check in and a martyr for the suffragette It’s been a really exciting year for us all. You may have seen the GDST including magazines and on digital our newly-released short version at movement. advertising campaign, ‘Where girls learn without limits’, which we’ve platforms. All of the ads feature our www.gdst.net/alummae-film launched with ads in the national press and billboards across the country, very own GDST girls. as well as a strong digital element. EDITOR Mentoring for every Jackie Ashe It’s been a big year for the Alumnae Network too. Sixth Former CONSULTING EDITOR To enable every GDST Sixth Form Our ambition to connect every one of our current Sixth Formers to an Erik Brown student to connect with the GDST’s alumna who can help and support her took a leap forward with the launch alumnae family, we’ve teamed up FEATURES WRITER of our new mentoring app, in partnership with Rungway. Check out the Amani Hughes with rungway.com, the mentoring mentoring story opposite to see how you can get involved. app – so now, at the touch of a but- DESIGN The early results show that we are ton, our students have a way of ask- Graphic Outlines Ltd There have been important developments for our schools (and our students) already reaching and inspiring new ing some of the burning questions too. For example, we’ve launched new modules to equip our students for Printed by Impress Print parents and girls to think about a they have about study and life after Fake news and the future by developing their skills in negotiating, understanding money Services, an FSC certified GDST future; while current parents, school, anywhere and at any time. If printer accredited with the students, teachers and alumnae have you’d like to find out more, or join pay rises and personal finances, and spotting fake news, while our annual Techathon international environmental will be inviting girls to explore the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). And standard ISO 14001, and a been proud to see the ads and be- the GDST rungway mentoring com- With studies showing how teens rely with the launch of our 150th Anniversary Bursary Campaign, we hope that certified Carbon Balanced long to a group that champions the munity, just go to our website. www. on social media for information, the Publication Printer. The 2019 will be the year from which we can start to offer all of this – everything education of girls. gdst.net/rungway-mentoring-app GDST has introduced workshops carbon impact of producing that a GDST education stands for – to more girls than ever before. this magazine has been in schools on fake news and how calculated and balanced Alumnae Network Film to spot it. Analysing false stories with the World Land Trust. Exciting times, indeed. Notting Hill & Ealing High School like the reported deaths of Prince alumna and TV presenter Angellica Philip, Miley Cyrus and Britney Bell lent her expertise to the GDST to Spears and a claim that a dead front a new film all about the alumnae gorilla named Harambe won 15,000 Cheryl network. The film aims to inspire girls votes in the 2016 US election all Cheryl Giovannoni to both use and give back to the net- added to learning – as well as the CHIEF EXECUTIVE work, by bringing it to life for them – entertainment. NEWS MEMORIES 06 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 07

Meanwhile, our Asking Difficult Breaking boundaries What girls think Questions course, introduced this For the first time ever, the GDST Teaming up with YouGov to get a year, teaches girls key negotiation fielded a Select XI cricket team as snapshot of what matters to GDST skills, including how to ask for a the girls – coached by top England girls, we learnt that over three quar- NAUGHTY pay rise. Cheryl Giovannoni put it in coaches – took on their heroes, ters of them (78 per cent) are opti- context: “All too often when it comes including former England Captain mistic about the future, and even to the world of work, women can Charlotte Edwards, from Marylebone more (79 per cent) believe they have MIRIAM develop ‘tiara syndome’. They wait Cricket Club (MCC). a bright future ahead of them. In- for recognition, whereas men tend terestingly, when asked to choose to be better at putting themselves one life goal, twice as many chose a forward to get what they feel they dream job over travelling the world Award-winning actor “I love my school passionately. I to Milham Ford School, which was deserve. We wanted to help to build or having a family. loved it then, and I love it now. I the school that I’d won free entrance girls’ confidence and understand And as for who matters to them, Miriam Margolyes think what made it special was, of to at 11+. But my parents, wisely that it’s OK to ask.” the women they admire aren’t just OBE - who played course, the people I was at school and very generously decided that famous for being famous; they’re Professor Sprout with, and the teachers. We had I should remain at the High School, What parents think known for their social action, too. a very remarkable headmistress, where I’d been since I was four. in the Harry Potter Violet Stack, who was tall with a It would be impossible to sum Partnering with leading online plat- Apart from ‘my mum’, the top three large bosom, sticky-out teeth and up my school in five words. I can form Mumsnet to ask parents about answers were Emma Watson, Malala films and appeared a very firm, authoritarian manner. just tell you that the teachers were their views on education, we found Yousafzai and Michelle Obama. recently in TV’s Call She had taught at Holloway Prison, brilliant, the children were challeng- that the single greatest hope for par- the Midwife - tells and I think she brought some of ing and inventive and very different ents (90 per cent of our respondents) 100 years of women her expertise from the prison to from each other. There was a varie- is for their child to be ‘personally hap- us why she still loves the school. ty there that was exciting. And we py and fulfilled’ in adulthood. in the Met Oxford High School The children at the school were were there during the 1950s and MCC won the match by 44 runs, In November, women of all ranks with Charlotte Edwards saying: “See- and roles in the Metropolitan Police nearly all the children of dons – so, 60s, which was a great time: the ing these girls playing here today joined Commissioner and Oxford massively intelligent parents, which I world was an exciting place then makes me just as happy as England High School alumna Cressida Dick to think is a challenge for most schools. and school made it more exciting. winning the World Cup final. It’s so celebrate 100 years of female police And we felt that we were the I was very naughty at school Interestingly, too, with the 2018 important that girls are given the offers in the force. As the Metropoli- cream of the cream. and very cleverly, when I got to the Budget used to announce funding opportunity to play in school to help tan Police’s first female Commission- We were given every op- right age, the teachers made me a for mental health crisis teams for us provide opportunities for the next er, Cressida is leading the charge to portunity for extra-curricu- prefect, and I was much tougher children and young people, and all generation.” The Select XI vs MCC recruit more women to the force, lar activities, which in my on the naughty children than or- schools in England required to in- is set to become a permanent fix- while tackling the barriers to entry case, was mostly learning dinary people would have been clude mental wellbeing and resilience ture and in 2019, the first ever GDST and challenging stereotypes. poetry and going to po- who’d been behaving properly. in the curriculum from 2020, our sur- Select VII netball team will take on etry festivals and recitals. But as Miss Maddron, my beloved vey found some 73 per cent wanting Leeds Rhinos. So that was kind of the French teacher, said to me: ‘You their children to learn more about Elsewhere, GDST girls were put beginning of my being a were naughty, Miriam, not wicked.’ mental health at school. A further through their (dancing) paces by performer I suppose. Ac- The High School wasn’t just for 68 per cent cited ‘mental health and leading professionals at the GDST tually I think one is born a me until I was 18. It’s with me now. wellbeing’ as their biggest concern Day of Dance at London’s Pineapple performer – so I’d probably Because the people that I love in for the future health and happiness studios, while Oxford High School’s have become a per- my life are my old school friends. of their children - a bigger issue than Girls on the Ball initiative brought former if I’d gone Every now and again we have re- ‘finding good friends and partners’ together over 200 girls from 25 lo- unions, and we rush towards each (54 per cent) or ‘economic instability’ cal primary schools to play football, other and we hug each other. We (29 per cent). netball and hockey. still send each other birthday emails. The school is with me – it has never left me.” SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL NEWS 08 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 09 SCHOOL NEWS Birkenhead High School Academy Bromley Staff and pupils at BHSA were delighted to welcome one of their most famous past pupils High School This year, Bromley High back to school in November. Dame Patricia launched its Minerva Routledge had been supporting the Wilfred Lectures, a series of Owen Commemoration events throughout the high quality talks deliv- Birkenhead area all week, including a poetry ered by external speakers. workshop attended by all Year 7 pupils with the Its most recent guest was South Read Now, Write Now organisation. Hampstead alumna Dr Emily Grossman, expert in molecular biology and genetics and a high profile science broadcaster. Her talk, “Too sensi- tive for science?” tackled sexism in science, and specifically, her much publicised challenge to Nobel prize-winning biochemist Tim Hunt, and his “trouble with girls”. Emily neatly debunked Brighton & Hove High School his theory, and explained eloquently why the The Belvedere Academy Brighton & Hove Prep has a swimming superstar in three Cs (compassion, collaboration and cre- The Belvedere Academy continued to the making. Constance Logan in Year 6 has recently ativity) are as essential in science, technology, cement its reputation in the performing been crowned Sussex Champion at the Winter engineering and mathematics (STEM) as in any arts with an outstanding performance of County Championships, winning her age group other walk of life. Burn from the hit musical Hamilton, by by over 400 points. Constance acquired six golds, Charlotte Flynn at the Educate Awards three silvers and three bronzes and now holds a ceremony in November 2018. top ten GB ranking for her age!

Dame Patricia told some wonderful tales about Next July, the Croydon High School her time at school, including time spent in its air High School Croydon alumna Emma Vetriano has been named by the raid shelters during the war. She also gave girls will be hosting a Sports Industry Group as a NextGen Leader for 2019. studying music and drama tips on developing spectacular par- Emma manages EA SPORTS FIFA’S Global Partnerships their confidence and resilience. ty to celebrate with the Premier League, EFL, Chelsea FC, Manchester City, the bicentenary Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. She is also a of the building co-founder of Women in Sports Business, and a member of the Temple of Women in Football and AFC Wimbledon’s Inclusivity Blackheath High School by Thomas and Diversity Committee. In September 2018, Blackheath High opened Kemp in 1819, its newly developed senior school buildings. which houses Currently, Emma is spearheading With the support of the GDST, the school the school. All a campaign to encourage more redeveloped a series of spaces – marrying old BHHS alum- women to play EA SPORTS FIFA, and new buildings - to provide an inspirational nae, the local hoping some will ultimately become learning environment in state-of-the-art facilities. community and professional FIFA players. Croydon The transformation includes a brand new library and resources centre, advanced learning environments friends of the school will be invited to the unveiling High is grateful to Emma for all the for art, design & technology and music, gallery and exhibition spaces, enlarged sports facilities and a of a blue plaque to commemorate this anniversary support she gives the school, and brand new Sixth Form Centre. At the heart of the scheme hang the Datchelor Stained Glass panels, and enjoy a celebration of all things Regency. Emma Vetriano inspiring girls at its careers events. which celebrate the early pioneers of education for women. 11 SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL

GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl Reunion High Central attended well hugely

The resolution, Zealand. New conflict as and afield In the summer, alumna Anna Appleby, the young composer, was named the young composer, alumna Anna Appleby, In the summer, (see page 22). Award in its Alumna of the Year Trailblazer as the GDST’s Over the year, NHSG alumnae joined the ‘One Year On’ reunion, while while reunion, On’ Year ‘One the joined alumnae NHSG year, the Over as in June, with lunch visitors from High Old Girls enjoyed a reunion Church far service and invited to the carol and all alumnae were was held in October, new and to meet theschool’s to catch up, reminisce drinks in December, head, Mr Michael Tippett. empowerment

diversity, Central High Central At the recent #Now’sTheTime Conference, designed Conference, #Now’sTheTime At the recent Concert Master David Le Page, soprano Rebecca von Lipinski and flautist James Dutton. to empower young women to start their working lives Sixth insights into foot, gained Form girls on the front law, speakers including alumna, Shona Guha, from from and alumna, Sally and adventurer the National Theatre, Kettle, who charted her phenomenal transatlantic row for charity in a 23ft wooden boat. Newcastle High School for Girls High School Newcastle their expertise and offer to share Connect Fair in March Career Many alumnae joined Newcastle High’s for a Summer Drinks Reception choices with school. Alumnae also returned girls at advice on career hosted by Sixth as part of the Form girls skills girls’ networking training programme. - for was space and she where magazine and magazine and corners cosy and Juniors floor, Infants mezzanine Independent School Parent School Independent by the was shortlisted for the same award Times Educational Supplement. Kensington Prep has also just been named Kensington Prep by theof Year’ School Prep ‘Independent as new To celebrate Northampton High’s 140th birthday, 140th birthday, celebrate NorthamptonHigh’s To and friends enjoyed events including an pupils, staff action-packed Arts Festival week, 1878 receptions a charity ball site, and that previous at the school’s raised £2,000 for the Cynthia Spencer Hospice. The year culminated in a special 140th Birthday Gala Concert, held at the beautiful All Saints’ Church in Northampton, historically the spiritual home of the young as 11 played High School. Students as including violinist and alongside professionals been head of both all girls’ and co-ed schools. She schools. co-ed and both all girls’ of head been School The King’s from moves to Kensington Prep in Macclesfield a particularlyis 2019 excitingPrincipal for nine years. theunveilingsees it as Prep, Kensington for year which has been transformed with of its new library, a Northampton High School Kensington Prep School Kensington has a new head. In Septem School Kensington Prep Mrs took over from ber 2018, Mrs Hulme-McKibbin theMrs at 15 years helm. after who retired Lynch, wealthHulme-McKibbin has a of experience having fiction and non-fiction books. more hundreds

SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl open. Sports Complex was officially raised theand with scissors quick snip, the a new perform their massed warm-up dance routine. As perform their massed warm-up dance routine. to a close, Christian Malcolm the girls’ dance drew Eagerly waiting on the pitch during the speeches, speeches, the during pitch the on waiting Eagerly keen to 11 were Reception to Year students from BBC Sports Coach of the Year Christian Malcolm, BBC Sports Coach of the Year who talked passion for encouraging about his young people into sport. year. Guest of honour was Olympic sprinter and Guest of honour was Olympic year. courts, an astro pitch and sports pavilion— during courts, an astro a day of celebration at the start of the new school cut on the fabulous new facilities—including tennis facilities—including new fabulous the on cut successes at Howell’s School was the opening of successes at Howell’s The ribbon was the Sports Complex in September. Howell’s School, Llandaff School, Howell’s One of the many highlights of a year packed with 10 SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL NEWS 12 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 13

SCHOOL NEWS Notting Hill & Ealing High School Notting Hill & Ealing High’s Old Girls’ Association once again hosted a buzz- ing reunion tea party, attended by 250 alumnae and former head, Lucinda Hunt. Meanwhile, the school ran a major net- working event focused on architecture, design and engineering and saw alumna, Antonia Kraskowski, Group Fashion Editor at Express Newspapers preside over the Norwich High School school’s charity fashion show. Northwood College for Girls for Girls Northwood College for Girls has reopened its Cen- Norwich High has been celebrat- Nottingham Girls’ High School tenary Library, following a five month refurbishment ing the life of one of the GDST’s Nottingham Girls‘ had an exciting year, during which it welcomed programme. With the assistance of award-winning most heroic alumnae, World War I many motivational speakers back to the school, including Alexandra architects and designers, Envoplan, the school com- nurse, Edith Cavell. A tribute King, who was shortlisted for GDST Alumna of the Year. She inspired pletely redesigned the internal fabric and layout of evening was held last June, and Year 11s with a fantastic talk about her time at NGHS and her life now the space. The extensive project involved replacing in October, the whole communi- as a journalist with CNN in New York. In November, six girls joined the library’s ceiling to extend up to the roof’s apex, ty attended a memorial service at alumna Emma Brown to take part in a poignant school excursion and new LED lighting and carpets, as well as the in- Norwich Cathedral. Even Google representing NGHS at Armistice Centenary events across France stallation of new bookcases, sofas, occasional seating paid its respects, with a dedicated and Belgium. 21 alumnae received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh and work tables. The lower mezzanine level has been Google Doodle appearing on her awards at Buckingham Palace, while the school’s London drinks reconfigured with the relocation of the librarian’s desk birthday in December. evenings continued to grow, creating new opportunities to meet to create a larger and brighter space. and link up with new alumnae in the city. In other news, this June, the school will be bringing its highly successful Inspiring Females programme to In other alumnae news, project engi- Chelsea Football Club’s grounds neer Sophia Djili was awarded the Vic- Oxford High School at Stamford Bridge, London. So far, tor Watson Trophy for Young Person of Oxford High was thrilled to welcome over 50 alumnae have supported Outstanding Achievement in the Print alumna Nina Raine back to school in this exciting initiative, along with Industry; and Polly Arnold was made a November. Nina, whose latest play 200 other guest speakers, and it’s Fellow of the Royal Society and awarded Stories is currently at The National hoped that scores more will be get- the RSC’s Geoffrey Wilkinson Award for Theatre, discussed the key themes, ting involved in 2019. her pioneering research on transuranic inspirations and obstacles in stag- organometallic chemistry. ing her 2010 play Tribes, which won, among other You can find out more at plaudits, the 2012 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. To www.inspiringfemales.org.uk hear an author speak so honestly about how great writing is achieved was an inspiring and empowering experience. Nina also joined the Year 11 Book Group for a discussion of life in the theatre, giving a crowded classroom of aspiring playwrights, directors and actors some incredibly practical and hard-won lessons on how to succeed as a female creative in contemporary theatre. 15 SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl Facing self-sufficient. fully being of aim the Rebecca cycled an average of 100km each day day each 100km of average an cycled Rebecca 16 countries months and through for over three with climbs, sweltering terrain that included monstrous many otherand chal- mountaintops snowy heat, Rebecca at her, lenges her solo 10,000km threw was Rebecca possible. But wild-camped wherever in her challenge and raised a fantastic undeterred Child. £2,500 for Street Royal High Royal Bath School When the opportunity came to volunteer in as Nepal, Kathmandu, Street for researcher a Rebecca alumna School High Royal Child, set herself challenge an enormous – to Waters London to Kathmandu within 100 days cycle from to raise funds for the charity. The subjects are: Sophy Gardner Former RAF Wing Commander Sophie Simnett Actor Mary Coombs Computer Programmer Bottomley Virginia Baroness of Nettlestone Life Peer Aicha McKenzie Choreographer Dr Sandie Okoro at the Senior Vice President Bank Group World Jenny Beavan OBE Costume Designer Oscar-winning Sophie Raworth Journalist and Broadcaster Madeleine Wickham (aka Sophie Kinsella) Author - friend old ladiesThe rekindled the about ships and reminisced times they had spent at school. the class of Miss Jo Hawnt from 1998 said: “The smells around are so the school and bring evocative, many diverse back memories of happy times here.” Speaking about her subjects, Anita said: “All these women have much much have these women “All each in common, and have goneown on to find their distinct pathways.” always She also spoke of how the girls were and encouraged to look beyond stereotypes taught that anything and everything was were within their grasp. -

Anita Corbin. The series of images acknowledges theAnita Corbin. The series of images acknowledges achieve ments of a range of exceptional alumnae who all display the in today’s same indomitable Putney spirit that is so present generation of pupils. To celebrate its 125th Anniversary, Putney High commissioned a commissioned High Putney Anniversary, 125th its celebrate To alumnae trailblazing twelve of portraits photographic of series the and Putney alumna, highly acclaimed photographer from Putney High School Portsmouth High School High Portsmouth the 2008 2007 and 1958, 1968, 1978, 1998, classes of PortsmouthUp to sixty years after leaving High, ladies from by headmistress, The day was hosted schools in November. the for lunch and tours of Senior and Prep returned teams. head girl and senior prefect with tours led by the current Mrs Jane Prescott,

SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl 14 17 a SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL through life GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl of reflections and Helena Bonham Carter reminiscences - - Series, a regular event where an array of distinguished event where Series, a regular their perspectives on the invited to share guests are world. Recent speakers include alumnae Helena school Bonham Carter and Allie Esiri who shared day The hall will also be the focus for the school’s Speaker The hall will also be the focus for the school’s selection of their favourite poems.

- Former celebrate to years. many locations in flung Allie Esiri far reunion from first the Streatham & Clapham High School On a beautifully warm, sunny day in summer High was delight & Clapham 2018, Streatham ed to welcome back 200 alumnae and guests for the 1940s right up to the Class of pupils from acquaintances, old to renew back came 2017 new meet their teachers and visit the school’s and facilities, including the new dining area It was a particularly special Sixth Form Centre. hadwhom many of 1968, for the of day Class travelled their golden anniversary. South Hampstead High School South Hampstead South Hampstead High launched its strategic vision ‘To vision strategic its launched High Hampstead South which outlines and Beyond: Our 150 Anniversary’, wards commu accessibility, learning, teaching, for plans future A key element of thisnity and capital developments. Hall, to become vision is the development of Waterlow of South heart Hampstead. the cultural and creative - Jo Sharrock Jo “We remain intentionally small “We and hugely ambitious for our should be School people. young feel happy, somewhere that you risks and safe to take valued learningwith your and above all, it should be somewhere you grow up.” fun as you can have Shrewsbury High School as its High welcomed Ms Jo Sharrock Shrewsbury new head in September 2018. Formerly at Queen School (QEH) in Bristol, Ms Hospital Elizabeth’s has, as a teacher of History and Politics, Sharrock including Head of enjoyed a wide range of roles, House and Head of Sixth prior to which she Form, experience working in commercial gained broad the finance sector. Having herself attended an all-girls school, she her education with imbuing her with cour credits age, skills and a belief that every opportunity was for create to aims somethingshe – her to open High School students. On her Shrewsbury today’s appointment, she said:

- wel Girls’ to delighted Wakefield of was head Girls’ Nina Gunson career in education, and it has been has it and education, in career a privilege to work with so many in- spirational colleagues and students along the way.” In other major news, former head, head, former news, othermajor In an MBE in received Dunsford, Valerie Honours List for the 2019 New Year’s said: services to education. Valerie “I am absolutely thrilled and also this award. very humbled to receive I have enjoyed every minute of my leadership, with its ethos of positivity, leadership, with its ethos positivity, of courage and kindness encouraging its community of 968 girls aged 3-18 things. to pursue great Sheffield Gunson, come its new head, Nina formerly 2018. TheHigh School in September school continues to thrive under her Sheffield High School School Sheffield High for Girls

SCHOOL NEWS SCHOOL for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl

SCHOOL NEWS 16 SCHOOL NEWS 18 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 Her future. Your gift.

Sutton High School Sutton High celebrated the opening of its newly refurbished and renamed Lees Hall in November. Miss Edith Lees, headmistress of Sutton High from 1912-1939, was responsible for building the original hall and is remembered as the school’s ‘architect headmistress’, as she led a major expansion programme that aligned her vision for girls’ education and doubled the number of pupils at the school. Sutton’s Lilac Letters initiative brought some of the school’s Second World War alumnae back in close touch, with personal letters from current students asking them questions about their wartime school experiences eliciting some fascinating and moving replies, and even some visits.

Sydenham High School On 21 November, Sydenham High was privileged to watch the unveiling of a blue plaque for alumna Margaret Lockwood CBE. She joined the school in 1925 and became one of Britain’s most popular film stars in the 1930s and 1940s. The unveiling took place in Crystal Palace led by Lynda Nead, Professor of History of Art and member of the Blue Plaques Panel. There were stories from family members and excerpts from Queen of the Silver Screen, and the school’s Year 12 drama scholar, Saffron, was certainly inspired to find out more. With your help, the GDST can give gifted girls the opportunity to learn without limits. The school was also delighted to welcome back alumnae No matter how big or small, your gift to our bursary fund will make a difference. Josie Turner and Marianne Grant last term. To donate, call us on 020 7393 6607 or visit gdst.net/donate.

Wimbledon High School Thanks to Inspire Worldwide’s ground-breaking Girls 4 Girls project, a group of Wimbledon High girls got behind the scenes of two state-run children’s institutions in Sri Lanka in summer 2018. Through a partnership between Their Future Today (TFT), Inspire Worldwide and Sri Lanka’s National Childcare and Probation Service, WHS volunteers were able to share their skills and friendship with the children, to help give them a feeling of empowerment, self-worth and confidence. TFT projects in Sri Lanka aim to bring about social and behavioural change, to help improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

In other news, Wimbledon High has been named Independent Girls’ School of the Year 2018 by Independent School Parent magazine. Registered charity number 306983

Alumnae Magazine ads - amends.indd 2 06/02/2019 17:09:48 ALUMNA OF THE YEAR ALUMNA OF THE YEAR 20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 21

ADVANCING CANCER CARE

Dr Nirupa Murugaesu is Alumna of the “The development of “It all takes time - these things the genomics industry don’t happen overnight - but there helping transform healthcare is now a unique opportunity to by harnessing the power of Year 2018 in the last ten years has transform genomic healthcare, em- genomics in the treatment of Dr Nirupa Murugaesu is at the fore- been groundbreaking.” bed genomic testing into routine front of an innovative and ground- hospital care, to advance cancer rare diseases and cancer. breaking project to sequence the The first human genome was care and improve outcomes for DNA codes of patients with cancer sequenced in 2000 through the NHS patients.” and rare diseases and to better under- Human Genome Project. It cost A former pupil at Notting Hill stand those conditions and transform $3 billion and took more than ten & Ealing High School, Nirupa’s ed- the way patients are cared for. years to sequence one genome. ucation centred on maths and sci- Nirupa is the Clinical Lead for That work can now be done in one ence, setting her on a path towards Molecular Oncology of the 100,000 day, with results being interpreted medicine. She studied at University Genomes Project – announced by and returned to hospitals within a College London (UCL) before be- former Prime Minister David Cameron week. coming a junior doctor and pursuing in 2012 as part of the Olympic legacy, The 100,000 Genomes Project a career in oncology. and the largest national sequencing is developing the field even further. Nirupa’s early experience in sci- project of its kind in the world. The project’s aim was initially to se- ence research sparked her interest The project involves sequencing quence 100,000 genomes from NHS in how research could complement the DNA codes of cancer patients and patients. Now that this has been and translate into the clinical setting analysing the genome of a tumour to achieved, the focus has moved to- of a hospital. inform doctors and clinicians about ward providing the infrastructure for Later, she moved into the field the behaviour of that tumour and how a Genomic Medicine Service – to of genomics as she completed her a patient could be treated. It allows be in place this year. The introduc- PhD and post-doctoral training and treatment to be tailored to the indi- tion of the medicine service aims gained further experience in cancer

Photograph by Lydia Goldblatt vidual based on their genetics. to provide equity in cancer genom- genomics. Nirupa explains: “Many cancers ic testing, and the adoption of a Genomics at that stage was are crudely labelled by where in the standardised approach for cancer rapidly advancing — thanks to the body they occur. By better under- patients across the NHS. technology – and Nirupa entered standing the genomic make-up of “Another key aspect of the pro- the field at a key moment. cancers, we can better select those ject,” Nirupa says, “was the imple- “It was luck, I was at the right patients that might benefit from a mentation of a genomic research place at the right time, which pro- particular type of treatment. It may platform to allow translation into the vided me with this significant op- also give us a better understanding of clinical setting and the development portunity and has opened up other whether the tumour is likely to behave of personalised medicine for cancer avenues and new areas of develop- in a more or less aggressive manner.” patients throughout the NHS.” ment,” she says. TRAILBLAZER TRAILBLAZER 22 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 23

can run out of ideas altogether.” all needs to change for everyone Despite Anna achieving early – classical music is completely irrel- acclaim for her work – writing for evant and doesn’t belong in today’s leading orchestras and being the society if it does not represent the LIFT UP youngest ever Music Fellow with population.” the world-famous Rambert Dance One of Anna’s career highlights YOUR VOICES! Company – she says the world of has been writing for Streetwise musical composition is still one Opera, a performing arts charity dominated by men, and women are for people who are or have been being left out. Even musical history homeless. favours men. But the emphasis is She says: “It changes the con- Composer Anna shifting and women are challeng- versation around homelessness, ing decisions made by men, who it changes the image and says to Appleby is urging often choose male programmers society ‘look at these people, they women to take their and commissioners. have something to offer you and rightful place in a world “They are unaware of this issue,” challenge you with’. It’s not a one Anna says, “and they’ll just perpet- way system. Homelessness does not of music dominated uate what they know. So the trick is define them, it’s part of their experi- by men. So, if you to challenge and to educate and ence and they can use that to make to motivate by saying ‘actually the amazing art.” have something to say, only future of classical music and of Anna wants more girls and wom- use the power of your Photograph by Lydia Goldblatt music and of the arts is to listen to en to be part of the music world and voice - and say it. all these women’s voices - we are for their voices to be heard. already there’.” “If you have something to say, A leading pioneer of change is find it and say it,” she says. “You have Composer Anna Appleby wants to were taken seriously and celebrated The idea of creating something with emotive melodies; and one in Vanessa Reed, Chief Executive of the greater power using your voice than open up new opportunities for wom- as much as the sciences and sport. In from nothing, improvising and trust- which she uses folk and jazz to uplift Performing Rights Society (PRS). She anything else, and music is a way of en composers, give a voice to the a sense they were an equal player in ing your creative instinct is what com- and energise people. wants to see 50/50 commissioning amplifying that voice.” voiceless and empower her young the school’s image and ethos and that posing is about, she says. She prefers writing for the voice as of men and women composers in students not to be afraid and let their really helped to foster a community “You take an idea that’s just yours it’s something immediate that every- classical music by 2022, and the BBC voices be heard. there,” Anna says. and you trust it, taking it through a one can participate in. Proms has already signed up to the Anna Appleby After picking up the oboe at The ‘eccentric’ oboe was Anna’s development process that can be But composing is not about sitting initiative. the age of ten, Anna had a ‘turning musical instrument of choice. quite mathematical,” she says. “But around waiting for the ideas to turn Anna is also a key part of the point’ when she was invited to play “It cuts through the heart of the at the root of it, you have to trust up – because they won’t, you have to change and in October 2018 she Anna Appleby is a composer the Mozart oboe concerto in the orchestra, and I think it takes quite a your ideas and guide them through work at it, she says. was involved in the Sound Festival, who has achieved early school orchestra at Central Newcas- lot of confidence to play it,” she says. a process until a listener will connect “I can’t remember who said this, a new music festival in Aberdeen acclaim, standing out in a tle High School (now Newcastle High “People often have that relation- with them in some way. It’s an em- but it’s a favourite quote of mine – that is addressing the imbalance of field traditionally seen as a School for Girls) just five years later. ship with their musical instrument, it powering thing to do.” programme commissioning. male preserve. She believes Now 25, she was encouraged by can say something that they might not Anna says that finding your voice “Inspiration will come, Anna says she also wants to see in using music to give voice her school, which placed empha- necessarily be able to express [in any is something that takes persever- classical music reflect all parts of so- to the voiceless in society, sis on the arts, and the support she other way]. It’s a really powerful thing.” ance; even a composer who is 80 but it must find you ciety, with composers of all ethnici- and tirelessly champions the was given by music teacher Richard Anna started writing music at might say they haven’t figured it out working.” ties, disabilities and different gender work of female composers. Gooding (who nominated her for the school but composition became her yet. identities involved in the arts. Anna is an alumna of Central GDST Trailblazer Award). calling during her time at St Hilda’s Anna’s two musical styles are She adds:“I really believe in that, “Being a woman from a privi- Newcastle High School (now “My school created a nurturing College, Oxford: she just knew she clear: a contemporary classic style, but you must not overwork it either leged background, I have this op- Newcastle High School for environment for the arts; the arts had to write music. which fuses fun, dance-based ideas because if you are overworking you portunity to speak and to say this Girls). ENTREPRENEURS ENTREPRENEURS 24 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 25

JUST DO IT

Serial entrepreneur Fleur Emery offers a few tips on launching your own business. So, what’s your big idea?

“My name is Fleur and I’m an entre- tasks. If this rings bells with you then doing the same thing (which will tell I have been lucky enough to preneur. That is to say; twelve years you are in good company. The second you how crowded the market is), try have had great expert guidance at ago, having become frustrated by personality trait to look out for and estimate how much money they different stages of my career and my inability to decode the mystifying is curiosity: might be making and take a guess have recently become involved with world of work, I started a porridge at both your chance of success and the GDST mentoring scheme. I’d company from my kitchen table “Founders are the what that success might look like. encourage you to get online and which, more down to luck than skill, people constantly Record the facts from your research find out what is available to you. As was a surprise success and made it as that support your ‘best guess’ con- with most things in life, talking to far as Waitrose and beyond. Today, I asking questions and clusion so that as you find out more people who have done what you am working on my third start-up. Suc- having ideas.” information you can adjust it. plan to do is always a great place cess is more down to skill than luck Next, take these findings and to start – and the great thing about these days and, happily, I often find In the mainstream world of work, I consider how you could continue starting a business is that, myself sharing my experience with hear people saying that they would to meet your own basic needs and novice entrepreneurs; passing on like to leave and ‘do their own thing’ responsibilities or ‘keep the lights “You really can make it the things I’d wish I’d known when I but complaining that they can’t think on’ in your life while running the up as you go along, and started out. So, if you’ve ever thought of a business to start. That is not a business. This is an assessment of that the life of a female founder is problem for a natural entrepreneur, how viable the project is. If you can do it your way” for you, here is my quick-guide to in fact usually the reverse is true and get this far and are still saying ‘yes I which, if you are anything like me going it alone … they find it hard to narrow their list think I can do this’ then congratula- really is the only way to go.” The first thing that you need to of exciting ideas down to one and tions, you are at concept stage and do is ask yourself if you have the right run with it. are ready to get out and meet fellow personality for the job. In retrospect, So, if this is you and you have an entrepreneurs and get going. the biggest clue that I was the type idea that’s keeping you up all night, Of course, this is super-simpli- Fleur Emery was actually my difficulty working what next? fied, but the good news is that there for other people. I did well at school I love the expression ‘start some- is masses of support available and Fleur Emery is a start-up en- (Portsmouth High, LOVED it there), where’ and would encourage you to there really has never been a better trepreneur currently building graduated from UCL but despite get- just take a single sheet of paper and time to be an entrepreneur. Net- her latest venture – Whetstone ting good jobs in the third sector, write, in plain terms what you plan to working groups or even Facebook Food, a range of high-end the City and the NHS, I just couldn’t do and how. This is a business plan in pages can provide free information prepared meals. In addition settle down. its simplest form. Doing that will help and fellowship; government start-up to her other food labels, Grass- At the time I felt baffled and de- you work out basic things like what loans, crowd-funding and tax relief hopper Porridge and Green feated but I now know that business your product or service is, who your for investors in the form of the Seed & Pleasant she worked on nut founders often share my need to be customer is and how you are going Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) butter brand Pip & Nut and is involved in all aspects of a project to sell to them (route to market). You can help you get the money you a columnist for Courier mag- and struggle to be happy when they can then also get on Google and look need; and mentorship can keep you azine. Fleur is an alumna of are limited to working on isolated at the number of other businesses on track. Photograph by Lydia Goldblatt Portsmouth High School. SCIENCE SCIENCE 26 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 27

When it comes to the cam- decades-long gender imbalances per cent of the editors are men, and can change their view of the world, in the sciences. This isn’t just over- 83 per cent of the biographies are and enable them to see more op- paign to get more women whelming for teachers: it actually about men.” portunities for themselves in the into science, technology, and incorrectly makes you think that Jess alone has created more than future. “We know that you are 2.5 engineering and mathe- everything is okay. Ironically, assum- 370 entries for female scientists in times more likely to study physics ing that you know the answer seems the past year, and is enlisting helpers A-Level – which, by the way, is one matics (STEM) most engi- like a pretty unscientific approach from schools, and others who are of the most useful you can possibly neering companies and to me.” keen to join the movement. take for any career – if you go to an What does work, she says, is A second mission of hers is to all-girls’ school. big corporates are merely starting at grass roots level, with a get a copy of Angela Saini’s book paying lip service and what STEM focus on teachers and parents and Inferior into every school in the UK, “The GDST is living they’re doing doesn’t work, whole-school discussions about and to do the same in the US and equality. When you do that you can Canada. proof of this – more says scientist Dr Jess Wade. start to have the conversation about “Reading Inferior changed my often than not, when stereotyping with everyone. life – it gave me the confidence to SELLS “It’s shocking how early girls speak up, the evidence to challenge I meet an impressive and boys are subjected to society’s sexist remarks and a network of woman scientist, she “Trying to get girls to study physics is stereotyping, which is why it is crit- women scientists around the world nothing new,” Jess says. “There’s a lot ical that we start enabling them to who support each other. Saini pains- started at a GDST of money and effort going into Girls in debunk these myths right from the takingly assesses the questionable School. GDST girls STEM initiatives – but very few are evi- beginning, with the backing of all scientific experiments that set out to dence-based and the majority are very their teachers and parents,” she says. show men and women are different. have the passion, superficial.” “They’re the ones we need to get I want every young person to read the teachers and A former pupil of South Hampstead on board, because when we enthuse it – to learn about bias and to join High School, and now a Research Asso- them, we can enlist their ongoing our fight for equality.” the confidence to ciate in the Faculty of Natural Scienc- support, to keep the momentum And why does it matter so much? challenge the outdated es (Department of Physics) at Imperial and impact going.” “With more women in science,” Jess stereotypes in society. College London, Jess doesn’t pull her In addition to her support for the says, “we can make discoveries more punches. Institute of Physics, quickly - because when diverse Now all we have to “Almost every big engineering minds come together to solve prob- do is to make sure firm or corporate thinks they’ve come Jess has become an lems, new thinking happens, and this up with the answer to what will fix the activist, generating is how problems are cracked. The that other girls get this media coverage and world has an awful lot of problems opportunity too.” to solve right now, and we won’t significant funds. achieve it with a bunch of old white One of her first moves was to men who look and think the same.” Want to read more? Dr Jess Wade set about publicly recognising every Ultimately, she says, it’s about female achiever in science with a creating equal opportunities. Equal Inferior: How Science Got Wom- Jess Wade is a physicist and researcher in the Department of Physics and Centre for Plastic Wikipedia entry. opportunities for society, in which en Wrong and the New Research Electronics at Imperial College London, working on chiral organic light emitting diodes. She “Wikipedia is the fifth most pop- women are shaping – and being That’s Rewriting the Story by also carries out public engagement work in STEM - the campaigning to get more women ular website in the world,” she says. recognised for – scientific advance- Angela Saini is published by 4th Es- involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and is a leading activist in “It is such an important platform for ment, and equal opportunities in tate, an imprint of Harper Collins. improving gender balance in science. Jess is an alumna of South Hampstead High School. education and documenting our his- their careers. By changing societal If you want to get involved in Jess tory that it is crucial it is impartial and messages right at the beginning Wade’s campaign as a funder or sup- unbiased. The reality is that 80-90 of a child’s educational journey, we porter, follow her on Twitter @jesswade ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT 28 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 29

Millions of people It was around the same time that also means I’m having fun getting refusing a drinking straw on board SYNTHETIC public awareness of plastics began to know my local bakers and market your transatlantic flight isn’t going to have woken up to the to grow. In the BBC’s much-loved stall holders). It’s a challenge that not save the planet. But plastic pollution perils of plastic. Here, Blue Planet II series, David Atten- everyone can or wants to take on. is persuading more people than ever MINESTRONE Sutton High School borough opened the eyes of millions But it isn’t all or nothing. There are to care about the environment and of people to the perils of plastics forms of plastic that most urgently think about what we’re doing to it. alumna, marine choking ocean life. And barely a need reducing, like the one million biologist and BBC TV day goes by now without another drinks bottles bought every minute We have a chance presenter Dr Helen news story emerging of a whale worldwide or the 2.5 billion coffee dying with a belly-full of plastics, or cups thrown away each year in the now to find the right Scales tells us how she researchers finding plastics in new UK. Another no-brainer is to stop solutions to end once came face to places — frozen into Arctic sea ice, flushing cotton buds and wet wipes in the deepest seas, in drinking water, down the toilet. plastic pollution. face with the problem even in the air we breathe. There are downsides, though, in the seas off Senegal. to this emphasis on individuals. Great minds need to come together There’s no doubt now that Some people resent being made to work on each part of the problem plastics are everywhere. to feel guilty for using plastic. Some — from manufacturing and waste- “A few years ago, I lived and claim that most of the plastics in the disposal to unpicking the ecological worked for a while in Dakar, the What we don’t yet oceans don’t come from countries impacts — and pushing all of this coastal capital of Senegal on the like the UK anyway, but instead from ahead will be the growing public westernmost bulge of Africa. Home know are the impacts China and Southeast Asia (in fact, pressure for radical change. And for me was a small apartment next to all the different types much of that is plastic exported from if we get this right, who knows a long sandy beach. Every morning Britain for recycling but still ends up what else we might achieve. As the before sitting down to write, I would of plastics are having, in the sea). head of the charity Surfers Against put on my wetsuit, tuck my surfboard on species and Others argue that demonising Sewage, Hugo Tagholm recently under my arm and walk five minutes plastic is distracting us from more tweeted: to the waves. ecosystems and on important environmental problems During my first few sessions, I human health. like climate change. It’s true that “It doesn’t end at plastic.” remember glimpsing colourful shapes in the water and thinking Scientists around the world are now they were jellyfish, but I took a working on those questions. But that second look and realised they were will take time and it’s already clear plastic bags. I got used to surfing we need to act now to give up our waves that were flecked with multi- global addiction to plastic. coloured plastic fragments, like Focus tends to fall on what all of confetti. Several times, horrified, us as individuals can do to cut down I untied plastic that had knotted the plastics in our lives. In some ways, around my leash (the cord that fixes it’s a useful approach. It gives people my surfboard to my ankle). It’s often a way to respond positively to the said that we’re turning the seas into problem and hopefully not feel a plastic soup, but for the first time totally overwhelmed or powerless. I knew what it felt like to swim in Since I got back from Senegal, I’ve synthetic minestrone. tried to use as few single-use plastics My visceral encounters in the as possible. It makes for some Senegalese waves woke me up to the difficult choices (try as I may, I can’t Photograph by Ria Mishaal colossal scale of the plastic problem. find plastic-free dried pasta; but it RESILIENCE RESILIENCE 30 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 31

perspective, what I learnt is not My learning agility has allowed to let disappointment hold you back. me to adapt to any new challenges FIGHTING and skills that I have undertaken in When I dared to stand the workplace. My perseverance and strong work ethic have given me the up for what I believed confidence and courage to start a new BACK in again, I found hap- career in people development. It’s a career that I love, and one that makes piness, success and a me feel as alive as I did during my new lease of life. fencing career. My advice would be Champion fencer Claire Bennett just missed out to on a place in Team GB at the 2012 Olympic Games I managed to pick myself back up start getting to know yourself and your and I started to work on my growth strengths as early as you possibly can. - but she fought back and now helps people from mindset again. I realised I could be students to CEOs to find their inner strength. successful in my life beyond sport. En- Our To Boldly Go Programme helps suring that I trained my growth mind- students build their self-awareness, set on a daily basis and never giving confidence and resilience. Our Em- up on driving for success helped me bedding a High Performing Mindset “As an athlete, I was athletes has proven how important portant, and something that again in my determination to achieve my to bounce back quicker and go for does the same (and more) within busi- attitude and mindset are in driving research has shown we can build. goal of becoming an Olympian. something important again. ness. For anyone who would like to always fascinated sustained success, how crucial they So how were these, and other Unfortunately despite all of my Many athletes struggle to deal find out more, I’d love to hear from by what drives success. are to determining who makes it attitudes, relevant in my career in hard work, I was not selected to repre- with the ‘transition’ out of elite sport you – [email protected]” and who doesn’t. Similar research fencing? sent Team GB at the Olympic Games. into a ‘regular’ job. I definitely strug- In most sports, there is little dis- has been carried out and applied It was actually when I started I just missed out. gled. It was hard at times. However, tinction between those near the in military settings around the world, fencing at Sydenham High School It was the hardest thing I have I am delighted now to be working top in terms of technical ability. So as well as within business. Attitudes at the age of ten that my interest ever had to go through. Can you im- for Sport and Beyond – a training what makes the difference? As I such as confidence, focus, resilience, in sport started having a positive agine working 17 years of your life and consulting company that focuses progressed through my career in motivation and determination have effect on my academic work. I was and committing yourself so fully to on supporting people, from school fencing, I increasingly understood been shown to be key factors. soon transferring the focus, motiva- something you believed in and not students through to experienced that much of someone’s success was Knowledge and skills are easi- tion and concentration needed for making it? It was very tough at the chief executives, on the attitude and down to the attitude and mindset er to acquire than ever before. But fencing to my schoolwork without time and I had very little idea of how mindset required to drive success. Claire Bennett that they brought to their sport. what one person does with that really noticing. My academic work to move forward with my life. What I know now is that the I believe that the same is true in knowledge and skillset, and how improved and I ended up getting Missing out on the Olympic strengths that I acquired through Claire was a member of the all walks of life, whether you are a they leverage that, is determined a Joint Honours Degree in French Games broke my heart and burnt elite level sport such as my learn- Great Britain women’s foil student at school, a banker, a coder hugely by the attitude they bring and Spanish from Durham University. my ambition to really go for anything ing agility, perseverance and strong fencing team and part of or a teacher. What is it then that sets to work every day. Self-motivation was key for me to again. Why risk failure and put myself work ethic, have given me the confi- the World Class Performance somebody apart from the rest? What For me, the most important first being one step ahead of the crowd, on the line again to open myself up dence to transition successfully and Programme, representing is it that drives sustainable success? step was self-awareness. What are and on top of both my sporting and to yet more hurt? embark on a new chapter in my life GB in European and World Championships since the age We can be a teacher, lawyer, student, my strengths? How do I generally academic commitments. Why get my ego flattened and beyond sport. of 14. As captain of England, designer, or anything else, but what operate? How does my behaviour In Olympic 2012 year I trained spirit crushed all over again? The strengths that I recognise Claire won individual bronze makes us into the best we can be change under pressure? How am I harder than I had ever trained before This pivotal moment in my fencing from my days at school, and from my and Team Gold at the 2010 in this role? It is the attitude and different to others? This is the foun- in my fencing career. I gave it my career helped build my resilience and fencing career, are the same strengths Commonwealth Fencing mindset that you bring to school or dation, the cornerstone. This builds all and made sure I left nothing in I soon realised that dealing with dis- I now use in my role at Sport and Be- Games. Claire is an alumna work every day. confidence, one of the key attitudes. the tank to the exclusion of friends, appointment was the best thing that yond. Knowing this gives me confi- of Sydenham High School. Rigorous research around elite What about resilience? It is so im- family and social life. I was relentless could have happened to me. With dence in the way I work. BURSARIES BURSARIES 32 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 33

GO AHEAD, CHANGE A LIFE

Cheryl Giovannoni, CEO of the Girls’ Day School Trust, explains how our bursary fund helps change the world, one girl at a time. Charlotte Brown Sheffield High School for Girls

“Your gift can three. In 2017, GDST schools worked account for over 7½ per cent of the viewpoints and open minds; from “I definitely didn’t come from a similar background as a lot of my in partnership with 426 state schools full bursaries. Nearly 1,100 pupils curiosity, enquiry, and challenge. classmates at Sheffield Girls’. My mother being a teaching assistant change a life.” and helped over 6,700 children. benefit from a means-tested GDST In turn, we all gain new horizons, and my father being a warehouse worker, neither decided to pursue It goes back to our roots, really: bursary, representing one in eight ambition, attainment, innovation, education past college-level, but as a naturally academic person I’d I’m not exaggerating. the GDST was founded by four of the students in our fee-charging fearlessness – changing our world always aspired to one day go to university. On top of that, I went to a I believe in the power of education pioneering women, who believed senior schools, and 40 per cent of – for the benefit of all. secondary school where a lot of pupils struggled academically and with to transform the life chances of girls that there was a need to educate those receive full bursaries. We want bad behaviour, so I felt like the odd one out and experienced a lot of and young women, and that every girls when no one else thought we pupils on full bursaries to participate A GDST bursary is bullying and problems with mental health as a result. girl deserves the opportunity to learn mattered. GDST schools offered an fully in school life, so we help meet One of my teachers noticed how hard I was working and pulled me without limits. academic education, a far cry from the cost of extra-curricular activities, about changing the to one side to offer me a prospectus for Sheffield Girls’ Sixth Form, and We are on a mission at the GDST some of the ladies’ academies of the uniforms, travel, and more. world for women. I was later overjoyed to receive a full bursary that would allow me to to ensure that our deep commitment time. Our schools were direct grant We know what a difference a attend despite my family not being able to afford the fees. to outreach and partnerships makes schools, and when that was no longer bursary can make to a girl’s life. But One girl at a time. I loved it from the very first day: finally being around people like a real and lasting impact. Our core an option, we embraced the Assisted there is so much more we could do Could you, as a member of the GDST myself, who were academically driven and always striving to be kind, I purpose is to educate as many Places scheme. Since that was phased – with your help. family, help us to change a girls life? was the happiest I had been in years. My self-esteem blossomed with girls as possible – our two non-fee out we have built up our endowments We’re building up our bursary the support of teachers and peers to the point that I’m a completely paying academies and our extensive to ensure that bursaries are available fund to deliver on our belief that different and more confident person, taking part in everything I can partnership programmes are central and that able girls from all social every girl deserves the opportunity To donate to our bursaries instead of shying away. to that, as well as our bursary backgrounds have the opportunity to learn without limits. programme, go to www. Academically too, the school was unparalleled. I am confident that the programme. to benefit from a GDST education. This makes our schools better, gdst.net/donate, or con- reason I achieved my A*AA final grades and will be the first in my family Almost every GDST school is When it comes to means-tested too. By welcoming girls and young tact our Development De- to attend university, is in large part due to the opportunities, excellent currently involved in at least one bursaries, we definitely punch well women into our schools from every partment on 0207 393 6607, teaching and supportive environment I had during Sixth Form. Sheffield partnership or outreach project with above our weight. We educate sort of background, all our pupils or fundingbursaries@wes. Girls’ will stick with me and empower me to fulfil my potential way past schools in their local communities, just over 3 per cent of pupils in the benefit from fresh perspectives gdst.net. leaving the school, and I never would have had any of the wonderful and over half are involved in at least Independent Schools Council, but and experiences; from diverse experiences of the past two years without the help of the bursary.” LITERATURE THE LAST WORD 34 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 GDST Girl for Life 2019/20 35

THE WRITE EVENTS & GETTING INVOLVED

STUFF Get involved in mentoring Wallace Collection, Self development Alumnae mentoring at the GDST London We’ve got a number of new continues to grow, and we’re GDST schools seem to Tuesday 30 April 2019 events in the pipeline for currently still taking applications 11.00am | £11.00 produce a startling number of 2019, including our new Self- for our 2019 mentoring programme, successful authors. Here are a Development Series which will if you’d like to take part – either Join us for a private guided tour of the Wallace Collection at Hertford few alumnae making a mark cover a range of themes, from as a mentor or mentee. Just go to knowing yourself, and building our website to find the application House in London’s Manchester in the world of literature. confidence and resilience, forms, or email us at mentoring@ Square for an exclusive view of its through to asking for a pay wes.gdst.net outstanding art collection. rise, managing difficult people, Bright Young Dead, Jessica Fellowes’ (Black- Angel – My Journey from Leftism to Sanity; and Lily Blacksell’s understanding how you work We’ve also launched GDST All England Lawn heath High School) second novel published in poetry pamphlet, There’s No Such Thing. with others and navigating rungway, a new mentoring app Tennis Club, Wimbledon October 2018, is described as a ‘perfect cocktail office politics. Keep an eye on that connects you with GDST Wednesday 15 May 2019 of 1920s glamour and mystery’. Jessica Saunders (Royal High School Bath) published Second our website for updates at Sixth Formers (see News, on page 11.30am | £21.00 , described as a ‘vile romance’ in July 2018. www.gdst.net/events 5). So if you think you could help Chances A tour of the world-famous AELTC Annie Lyons (Bromley High School) published answer a Sixth Former’s questions grounds in Wimbledon and the one of last summer’s big reads, Lara Feigel (South Hampstead High School) published and want to get involved, just put The Happiness Free club’s museum, as it gears up for , in July. , a critically acclaimed, genre-defying memoir in which, gdst.rungway.com/request-invite List Woman Alumnae film the 2019 tennis championships. inspired by Doris Lessing, she experiments with sexual, intellectual And if you have a spare couple into your web browser and enter The Story Keeper, published last July, is the and political freedom. of minutes, watch our alumnae your email address, to receive Wonderful Women second book by Anna Mazzola (Croydon High network film at www.gdst.net/ instructions from rungway on how School), a crime fiction novel set on the Isle of Agnes Grunwald-Spier (Sutton High School) published her third alumnae-film to sign up. of Whitechapel Skye in the 1850s. book, Women’s Experiences in the Holocaust: in Their Own Wednesday 3 July 2019 Words, an important and moving account of women in the most 11.00am | £10.50 Northampton High School saw a number of terrible circumstances. To find out more phone us on Enjoy a walking tour around alumnae published in 2018, including Kate 020 7393 6898, email us at Whitechapel and Spitalfields, Baucherel with Hacked Future, Anne Fine with Howell’s School had two authors published last year – Juliet Jones [email protected] learning the stories of the women The Angel of Nitshill Road and How to Write and the Ginger Pig by Sue Reardon Smith and The Captain’s or just keep an eye on our who helped define the area – from Really Badly and Louise Pentland with Wilde Favourite Treasure by Angela Fish. website at www.gdst.net/ radical campaigner Annie Besant, Like Me and Wilde about the Girl. alumnae to artist Tracey Emin and author From Newcastle High School for Girls, LJ Ross released Seven Monica Ali. Lucy Foley (Portsmouth High School) had two Bridges, The Hermitage and Longstone, books 8, 9 and 10 in books published over the past twelve months her DCI Ryan Mysteries series; while Nancy Campbell published Stonor Park, Henley-on- – Last Letter from Istanbul, in the summer of The Library Of Ice: Readings from a Cold Climate. GDST networking Thames, Oxfordshire 2018, and this January, her first thriller, The Keep an eye out for our business Tuesday 6 August 2019 Hunting Party. networking events over the coming 11.00am | £23.00 (incl. lunch) weeks and months. In addition to Putney High School had five authors published In addition to publishing Brit(ish): On Race, our established City and Law group Join us for a private tour of the in 2018: Sofka Zinovieff with Putney; Sophie Identity and Belonging in 2018, Wimbledon events, our newly formed GDST house and gardens of Stonor Park, Kinsella’s I Owe You One; Jill Drower’s Good High School alumna Afua Hirsch has been Entrepreneurs group has exciting home to the Stonor family for over Clean Fun – A Social History of Britain’s First announced as a Man Booker Prize judge plans, as does our very new US 850 years, and one of the oldest Holiday Camps; Melanie Phillips’ Guardian for 2019. networking group in New York. family homes still lived in today. AL UMNA E

facebook.com/GDSTalumnae @GDSTAlumnae GDST Alumnae Network

The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the GDST. All reasonable attempts have been made to clear copyright before publication.