Head Girl Team
Following hustings and an interview process, we are pleased to announce our newly appointed Head Girl and team.
Meet our new Head Girl, Emilie, and team: Aadya (Academic & Scholarship), Irmak (Wellness & Peer Mentoring), Janella (Lead House Captain), Jess (Environment & Estates), Mehr (Diversity & Inclusion), Natalia (Charities & Co-curricular) – interviewed and photographed by our new Media & PR Captain, Georgie.
What’s your favourite thing about South Hampstead?
Irmak: It is definitely the friends I’ve made; I’ll cherish the memories I have created here forever. The school’s environment and atmosphere have been key, helping me to make friendships that will last a lifetime.
Aadya: There are so many activities on offer to help facilitate and promote our learning. From sport, music, drama and academic, students have the ability to find their niche and what they are most interested and excited by. I also love all the House events – they encourage friendly competition and allow everyone to get involved in different areas of school life.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Emilie: Keep trying new hobbies. Even if you aren’t as good as everyone else, it doesn’t matter if you enjoy it! Stick with whatever you find fun. But if you aren’t enjoying something, just stop – it’s not worth it.
Jess: When I was younger, I was very self-conscious when meeting new people or going out of my comfort zone. I would tell my younger self that confidence is something to embrace and strive for, not something to shy away from. Standing out is often more enjoyable than blending in; being true to yourself will make you the happiest, most successful version of yourself.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Mehr: I’m most looking forward to Culture Week, especially the runway show when pupils and staff showcase outfits representing the diversity of our community.
Irmak: I’m looking forward to getting to know lots of new people. I love talking with different people and sharing thoughts on things we have in common and in general hearing others’ stories. I feel like everyone has such different and interesting lives which deserve to be heard.
What’s your favourite co-curricular activity?
Janella: I really enjoy Ukulele Orchestra. I’ve taught Year 3s at the Junior School and have led the Senior School ensemble. Playing together is really heart-warming and fun, as well as being a great way to interact with different year groups.
Aadya: Dance. Being in the Tanzlicht dance squad has really helped me bond with students across the school and the annual Dance Show is always a highlight.
Natalia: Singing is 100% my favourite activity. Whether it’s in a choir, or in a Maths lesson (sorry, Mr Willett), I always love to sing. I’m currently working towards my Grade 8, which is super exciting.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Natalia: Hopefully, I will be finishing medical school and about to start specialising in psychiatry. It has always been my dream to be a doctor and help change peoples’ lives, so I’m really looking forward to it.
Irmak: Hopefully I’ll be in my first placement on my architecture course. I hope to be as happy and ambitious in my career as I am pursuing the subjects I’m studying now.
What is your superpower?
Emilie: I can make an origami boat out of almost anything. I’ve made about 20 from train tickets.
Aadya: My superpower is being able to fall asleep anywhere, anytime.
If you could have a dinner party with 3 people dead or alive, who would you pick and why?
Mehr: I would invite Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Michelle Obama because they’re so inspirational, and both embody strong, independent, intelligent women. Also, Lana Del Rey because she’s my all-time favourite singer.
What’s your favourite song at the moment and why?
Janella: ‘Balance ton quoi’ by Angèle – it’s a great French song about feminism and gender issues surrounding the #MeToo movement in France.
If you could achieve one thing in your role, what would it be?
Jess: I would love to make a lasting impact on the school from an environmental perspective: to encourage people to feel excited and interested in sustainable products and systems, and to really appreciate the world around us. I think it’s vital to fully understand the imminence and importance of the climate crisis, so we can act on it to reduce our emissions and contribution to climate change.
Janella: I’m looking forward to working with a range of students across different year groups to try and get everyone involved in as many House events as possible!
The new Head Girl team will be supported by over a dozen students who take up other roles of responsibility in the Sixth Form. As our Upper Sixth students look ahead to their exams next term, we thank our outgoing Head Girl team – Charlotte, Izzy, Leah, Lillian, Nyika, Olivia and Zoya – and the rest of the wider leadership team for all their energy, ideas and commitment over the past year.