Honoured to start on our journeys as head students
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School’s new head students have settled in to their new roles and will continue to update News Telegraph readers on all the goings on at the Green Road school. NIA VAIKLA starts off by introducing herself, and fellow head student
ON Wednesday, April 27, we were given the opportunity to become the head students at QEGS.
Being chosen for the role was a great honour for all of us and we’re ecstatic to begin our journeys working with both our school and our community.
As head students, our work often involves public speaking, and representing our school at events throughout the year.
However, a large amount of our work is based behind the scenes, where we are given the opportunity to work with staff and students to progress our school.
We are responsible for planning meetings with our newly appointed student council, bringing important issues and information to light, working closely with our teachers, and meeting both new students and important guests at our school.
Appointing the new QEGS sixth form student council was a busy, yet enjoyable job.
Similarly to our own application process, we first invited all students to write a formal letter of application to Mr Walker, Mrs Allen, and ourselves.
After reading through and discussing all the impressive applications, we created a shortlist of those who would be invited to interviews.
We have offered a vast amount of student council roles this year, which include heads of environment, wellbeing, inclusion, and a treasurer.
We found the application process be a great experience to both ourselves, as head students, and those applying.
We look forward to bringing the great ideas our council has to life this upcoming academic year.
All four of us are proud and determined to take on this challenge of both self, and community growth. Here’s a small introduction to each head student:
Nia Vaikla
After starting my journey at QEGS in 2016, I am now studying Alevels in Economics, Psychology, and Computer Science, the latter of which I hope to take further at university.
I am keen to create an eco-friendly, hardworking and welcoming environment within both my school and my community. To achieve this goal, I plan to work with the student council to create environment focused events.
Additionally, I will prioritise my fellow students’ experience, improving life skill education and awareness of mental health.
Millie Allen
Hello, I am Millie, one of the head students at QEGS, currently studying A-levels: Politics, Geography, and Business studies.
I applied to become a Head Student due to my passion to uphold QEGS’ compelling reputation, and to improve students’ duration at school by creating a joyful memory of their time here at QEGS.
I also believe that this experience will be a valuable opportunity for me to personally challenge myself and build on my leadership skills.
I aim to increase students’ mental wellbeing and re-build the relationships between the school and Ashbourne, ensuring that each individual student feels welcomed, in both the school and the community.
Patrick Welsh
Hi, my name is Paddy Welsh, I’ve studied at QEGS since year seven. I am now at the sixth form studying maths, chemistry, physics and further maths.
When I was appointed the role, I was overwhelmed at the ideas of being able to better the school. My main focus of this role is to create a bridge between the students who feel forgotten and need support.
I want everyone at QEGS to feel involved and for them to feel like they belong here. It goes back to the idea of QEGS being a family that is inclusive to all.
All four of us are proud and determined to take on this challenge of both self, and community growth.
Georgia Briggs
My name is Georgia and I take maths, computer science and economics A level along with engineering for fun, and I have hopes to study computer science at degree level.
I applied for this role as this is something I have had my heart set on since I was in year six seeing the head student’s speeches and I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to make a positive impact on not only the school, but also the wider community of Ashbourne and to contribute to the legacy of our school.
I hope to strengthen the line of communication between the staff and students, and ensure that every student can find their voice.