Leadership Likes: Mrs Cook
This week, Mrs Cook shares an insight into the incredible evening hosted by The GDST.
Read MoreWeekly News
Find out what is happening at Croydon High this week.
This week, Mrs Cook shares an insight into the incredible evening hosted by The GDST.
Read MoreThis week the power of belonging to an organisation driven to make the world a more equal place for all, was brought home to me in a wonderful way.
On Monday evening, I was privileged to be invited to attend a very special event at London’s Science Museum. The GDST hosted an evening drinks reception for over 300 guests; a celebratory and forward-looking occasion to formally mark the start of the GDST’s 150th school year and to award the prestigious 2022 Alumna of the Year and Exceptional Contribution Awards. It was also an opportunity to share the findings of the recent Girls’ Future Report commissioned by the GDST, which Dr Purvis discussed in a recent Leadership Likes article.
Amongst many VIP guests, including stakeholders and representatives of a number of blue chip companies who are looking to support the Trust’s philanthropic aims, the most important of all were some the alumnae and pupils of the 25 schools that make up the GDST family.
On arrival at the venue, Ms Davies, Mrs Roe and I were thrilled to see the wonderful image of Esther (Class of 2020) as the ‘poster girl’ for the GDST 150 Event! Esther always was and always will be an inspiring role model (Happy 21st birthday today – 2 December – Esther!)
We were also immensely proud of three of our sixth form students who had been asked to represent the school at the event. Ashwini, Varjitha and Gaji certainly flew the flag for Croydon High, chatting to peers in other schools, dignitaries and a whole range of interesting people with charm and ease. We were also absolutely delighted to welcome a former pupil, Anne Welham (Class of 1971) who is one on a number of incredible women to have pledged a legacy to the school that she loved. It was wonderful to see Ms Welham chatting with our students, exchanging stories about the school over the last 50 years.
100 years before Ms Welham was at school, the GDST was founded by four pioneering women who dedicated themselves to giving girls a first class education. Mrs Maria Grey, her sister Miss Emily Shirreff, Lady Stanley of Alderley and Miss Mary Gurney were uncompromising in their ambition for girls to be given the same opportunities as their brothers. Their burning desire for a more equal world continues to inspire everyone across the GDST.
The formal part of the evening began with the announcement of the winner of the GDST’s Alumna of the Year award, which was launched in 2011 to recognise and reward the many and varied achievements of our 70,000 plus GDST alumnae. Eight Croydon High alumnae have featured as finalists in this prestigious competition – an amazing achievement amongst such strong competition. Previous winners include actor Olivia Colman, the MET’s first female Commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick and journalist Samira Ahmed. And this year was no different with Susie Ma (Class of 2007) named as one of the finalists. Susie is Founder and CEO of Tropic Skincare and a dedicated philanthropist with a keen focus on creating a healthier, greener and more empowered world.
The list of finalists was truly outstanding, including campaigners for social change, entrepreneurs, a STEM Ambassador, a NASA Engineer and the founder of the charity Refugees at Home, as well as a number of women championing diversity and representation in society, specifically in terms of gender and race as well as advocating for the disabled community. Just reading their various biographies was an emotional experience! The winner of the 2022 Award, Dr Ellie Cannon is an NHS GP who uses her profile as a broadcaster and health writer to champion public health and particularly the levelling up of intergenerational women’s health. Dr Cannon, who writes a weekly column for The Mail on Sunday, and appears regularly on ITV’s This Morning and BBC Breakfast, spoke inspiringly of how her school days at Newcastle High had prepared her so brilliantly not only to aspire to do what she loved but also to take every opportunity to give something back.
The next award, GDST Trailblazer of the Year, was made to Junior Doctor, Grace Spence-Green. An alum of South Hampstead High, Grace is working to challenge the narratives surrounding disability, medicine and identity. In 2018, aged 22 and in her 4th year as a medical student, Grace sustained a spinal cord injury and is now a full-time wheelchair user. Grace is also host of the podcast series, This is Spinal Crap. Grace’s approach to life, including all its challenges and opportunities was stirring and she left us in no doubt as to the fact that her school life and the teachers who encouraged her along the way are in large part responsible for her incredible resilience and formidable personality.
The final speaker on the evening, however, was the youngest and the one whose story will stay with me always. Paris Thompson is a Year 13 student at Norwich High. She was born prematurely, at 22 weeks and profoundly deaf. With an immensely supportive family by her side, Paris clearly set out to overcome these challenges devoting her young life advocating awareness and raising funds to support causes such as for Great Ormond Street Hospital; she helped raise over £10 million for their Sight and Sound centre, which supports deaf and/or blind children. Paris explained that she had walked past Norwich High every day on her way to school and, in her own words, “dreamed that she might go there one day.” She was encouraged by her Drama teacher to apply for the Sixth Form and was awarded not only a Drama Scholarship but also a bursary place. Paris described this opportunity as nothing less than life transforming; opening up opportunities beyond her imagination which she is already grasping with both hands. She took the opportunity to acknowledge very openly the generosity of those who had contributed to the bursary funds that enable the GDST to support her and many others like her. Since 1998, just over 6,600 women across the UK have benefited from the life-changing opportunity of a GDST education thanks to the bursary programme.
Paris’s wonderful speech acted as a launchpad for the GDST’s 150 Campaign; something that we were all joining together to support with the ultimate goal of raising funds through philanthropic giving to support 150 new bursaries throughout the GDST network. It is something that I am personally passionate about as I am so privileged to see first-hand, every day, the power of a GDST education and the impact it can have to nurture and inspire the changemakers of the future.
It was an absolute honour to be amongst so many awe-inspiring women on Monday, all linked by their association with the GDST and all advocates of its mission. I am sure Maria Grey, Emily Shirreff, Lady Stanley and Mary Gurney would be very proud.
Mrs Cook
Director of Philanthropy and External Relations
We are delighted to share news of Meera Patel’s (Class of 2006) new, highly-rated book to accelerate students towards their goal of qualifying as solicitors. In Get Into Law, Meera shares her own personal blueprint, with real experiences key takeaways and actionable steps to help navigate the path from law student to solicitor.
Meera Patel is a business advisor, lawyer, author, and speaker. She was the first person in her family to attend university and qualified as a solicitor at Latham & Watkins aged 24. Following qualification, she set out to build an entrepreneurial career combining business strategy with legal expertise, including being one of the first client-facing lawyers at Ernst and Young and then leading legal Brexit insights as a Director at Deloitte. She mentors students to achieve their goal of obtaining a training contract, paralegal role, or work experience and has spoken on city diversity and inclusion panels.
Meera’s book has been described as an easy-to-read guide, or a pocket mentor, providing the foundation for personal development for students as they apply for legal careers. The book includes chapters on mindset, making connections, commercial awareness and future-proofing a career. For our aspiring solicitors, it sounds like a must read! Congratulations to Meera from us all.
Mrs Roe
Alumnae Relations Manager
We are so proud to announce that, after receiving a full Focused Compliance & Educational Quality Inspection in Oct 2022 from the Independent Schools Inspectorate, we have achieved the highest outcome of ‘Excellent’ in all areas! You can read the full report on our website. https://www.croydonhigh.gdst.net/isi-report-2022/
It was lovely to see our year 11 students mentoring our year 9 students over breakfast this week to help them around their GCSE options.
Read MoreYear 11 enjoyed an informative and fun trip at the Old Operating Theatre.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, 15 November, the Historians of Year 11 went to the Old Operating Theatre in London. Not only were we given the day off on a Wonky Wednesday (!), but we also had a later start than usual. However, the day was no less information packed as we were treated by the Operating Theatre’s immense knowledge of Operations through History.
Our current topic of Medicine Through Time meant that this trip was incredibly useful – being shown the Women’s Operating Ward at what was St Thomas’ Hospital in the 19th century. After navigating the tight and somewhat rickety spiral staircase, we took our seats in the Theatre itself, where we were quizzed about our knowledge on the topic, from Blood Loss to infections, with a stop in with Liston too. She even showed us an authentic case with the authentic saws, knives and chisels used in their operations.
But showing is not just enough. To learn, we need engagement and interactions. And our Volunteer was Gina. Upon arriving at the table, Gina had to lie down while ‘the surgeon’ got a blood-stained apron, the rusty, unclean equipment and secured a tourniquet to Gina’s leg, to help reduce blood loss. All in all, Gina’s “operation” was highly entertaining and definitely helped us all remember the issues with 1800s surgery.
Finally, we had an exclusive look around the museum attached, with their herbal remedies from lavender to marshmallow (the flower not the sweets!) and the numerous diseased elves dotted around, which we diagnosed to have cholera, dysentery and tapeworms amongst many more conditions.
Overall, the trip was a great success and was great fun!
Isla M, Y11
Dogs Trust deliver sessions this week at our Junior School on developing confidence around dogs.
Read MoreThis week we have had a visit from the Dogs Trust, who came to run sessions with Years 1 to 6. With Otto regularly in school and with the introduction of Milo, we wanted to ensure the girls were confident with how they act around dogs. The workshops focused on ‘safe behaviour around dogs’ and ‘happy dog rules’. The sessions allowed the girls to establish safe, loving relationships between themselves and dogs, not just in school, but also in the wider world.
Mr Johnston
Assistant Head of Junior School
Our Nursery and Reception pupils performed brilliantly at the Selsdon Centre for the Retired.
Read MoreOn Friday 2 December EYFS embarked on a trip to Selsdon Centre for the Retired. We treated the residents to a singing concert where we performed all the songs and dances from our Christmas Production, Baarmy Bethlehem. Afterwards, the girls spent some time speaking with the adults about their Christmas plans. We were so proud of the girls’ in this new environment and we look forward to returning to the centre again next year.
Mrs D’Aranjo
Reception Class Teacher
Suraya N, Croydon High Young Reporter, writes for local press about the future of Croydon.
Read MoreExciting plans are underway for Croydon to become the 2023 ‘London Borough of Culture’, celebrating the unique identity, diverse communities and rich heritage of Croydon.
The programme for ‘This is Croydon’ will showcase Croydon to the world. It will include major events with international headliners performing alongside emerging local talent, plus hundreds of creative activities from Croydon communities.
Launched in 2017 by the Mayor of London, the ‘London Borough of Culture’ award aims to shine a light on the character and diversity of London’s boroughs and bring culture to everyone. It showcases the power of uniting local people in bringing about positive change.
Rashna T, Croydon High Young Reporter, writes for local press about the incredible volunteers of St Johns Ambulance.
Read MoreYou have no doubt heard of the St John Ambulance, but do you realise just how much they give to us? All the members are volunteers, who give freely of their time, and can be found at all kinds of events helping people who are taken ill.
Mrs Rosemary Burchell, head of St John Ambulance in Sutton, has been volunteering with Sutton cadets, young people up to the age of 20. She joined the organisation in 1974 and goes out with them on duties whenever she can. Recently she went out with the Mayor of Sutton to attend different memorials for Remembrance Day, the St John Ambulance were there to render first aid to the general public and to help any people who were overcome with the events of the day. The youngest cadet this year was 12 while there were several others of 16 and 17. When asked about her own experiences Mrs Burchell said “sometimes we have to do a lot of work but other times we just have to be present and are not needed thank goodness”.
One of the cadets, Vithushkaran Thivakaran, 18, joined when he was 12 years old because he had a keen interest in helping out people and had stayed. He went on to explain what training he had been given. It covered form filling, basic first aid, resuscitation and what to do whilst waiting for an ambulance. Cadets have to wear a uniform to make them visible to the general public, and there is an ambulance that contains emergency first aid equipment. Vithushkaran stated, “I am honoured to be part of this organisation and will carry the training that they have given me for the rest of my life; hopefully, I won’t have to use the knowledge, but you never know”.
The St John Ambulance is clearly an amazing organisation, and we should be grateful to these wonderful volunteers for all their hard work. Perhaps volunteering with them is something you could consider.
Rashna T, Y11
Season 2 Episode #7 – Our guest on this episode of Raise Her Up is behaviour and data scientist Prof Pragya Agarwal, an expert in matters of equality, unconscious bias, diversity & inclusion. We discuss her latest book, Hysterical, which explodes the myth of gendered emotions & uncovers false ideas of innate differences between the way men and women experience and express their feelings.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast.
Our School Minibus service offers an efficient and flexible option designed to help families with journeys to and from school. Minibus travel is offered to pupils in Year 3 and up.
The service is managed on our behalf by Vectare, a specialist school transport management company. All bookings for our school bus routes are made via our online booking system, which can be accessed at croydonhigh.vectare.co.uk.
The website allows you to book travel 24/7 from anywhere, meaning that if you need to leave early for work one morning or are running late and you would like one of our students to travel on a school bus as a one off, you can make a booking right up until the route is due to depart. Payment for the school bus service is made at the time of booking, so there is no need for pupils to carry cash.