GCSE Celebration Breakfast

As the new academic year started, we welcomed our new Year 12 students at this celebratory GCSE breakfast event. 

Lots of parents joined us too as we acknowledged the GCSE success of the summer. There was a wonderful piano performance by Paige, speeches from Head, Julie Keller, Head of Sixth Form, Maddy Sommers, Head of Upper School, Michaela Lewis, and this wonderful inspiring talk from Head Girl, Reya:

“I hope you’ve all had a well-rested summer holiday. After the intensity of last year, it’s safe to say that you truly earned the time to relax and enjoy the break. Today marks not just the start of a new school year, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your academic journey. I’d like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome each and every one of you back to school, as you step into life as Sixth Formers and begin all that Year 12 has to offer. This next stage will be full of new experiences, greater independence, and countless opportunities to grow, both personally and academically. But before we delve into the exciting road ahead, it’s only right to pause and offer huge congratulations. Think back to when you were in Year 10, when the thought of sitting your GCSE exams may have felt distant and overwhelming. And yet, here you are today, having faced that challenge head-on demonstrating resilience, determination, and success. You have achieved outstanding results in your exams, and like your parents, your teachers, and everyone here at NGHS, you should feel immensely proud of getting to this celebratory point today.

 

 

I’m sure you’re all well aware that completing your GCSEs is no small accomplishment. Managing your time, energy, and focus across nine or ten demanding subjects is an enormous task, but one that each of you has not only accomplished but also excelled in.

Your journey through secondary school has played a pivotal role in shaping you into the successful and ambitious students you are today. And as you move forward, I encourage you to hold on to the invaluable skills that the GCSE process has instilled in you. Qualities like time management, perseverance, and resilience are the very foundations that will support your continued success throughout Sixth Form and beyond.

This time last year, I was sitting where you are now, and I can wholeheartedly relate to the mix of emotions you may be feeling as you begin your Sixth Form journey. You might be feeling nervous or uncertain about taking this next big step. You might be excited and eager to finally show off your wardrobe. Or perhaps you’re somewhere in between, unsure of what to feel, as leaving the familiarity of Senior School behind can feel intimidating.

 

 

Let me reassure you: every single one of those feelings is completely valid. I’ve felt them too. But what I can confidently tell you now, having gone through that transition myself, is that Year 12 will be one of the most rewarding, empowering, and memorable chapters of your school life. You’ll find more independence, more responsibility, and more opportunities to shape your path, both within the classroom and beyond. And while it may seem like a big leap right now, I promise you’ll soon find your rhythm, your confidence, and your voice.

This year, you’ll be offered a wealth of opportunities, my biggest piece of advice for you today is to embrace them fully, say yes whenever you can, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, I didn’t think when listening to the previous Head Gir’ls speech last year that I would be giving a very similar one today. I encourage you to take part in House Performing Arts and lead your House to victory, apply for the esteemed Prefect positions, join and run clubs, and to make the most of the variety of extracurricular opportunities NGHS has to offer. For example GDST LEAD, big sister little sister, academic competitions, productions and so much more. Year 12 is the year to develop and find your own identity, there is truly something for everyone to flourish in.

This year also marks a significant shift, one where you’re trusted with more independence than ever before. From the ability to express yourself through your own clothing to the all-important free periods, which now I can’t imagine not having – Sixth Form life introduces a refreshing change of pace. One of the most empowering aspects of Year 12 is the opportunity to shape your own academic journey by choosing what you study. For the first time, all of your subjects have been selected by you, based on your interests, strengths, and aspirations. This alone makes the year ahead such a pivotal and exciting time.

You now have the chance to dive deeply into subjects that genuinely interest you. So, welcome this change with open arms. Let your passion for your subjects grow and flourish, and trust me, the more you put into them, the more they will give back in return.

 

 

Additionally I’d want to remind you that we in Year 13 have stood exactly where you are now. We’ve navigated Year 12, and we’ve come out the other side. So if you ever feel unsure or need advice, don’t hesitate to reach out. You know where to find us.

To conclude, I must congratulate you again; your perseverance and hard work have paid off enormously, this success I believe promises great things for the year ahead. I urge you to embrace the change, go into lessons with a strong and positive mindset, have fun, form new friendships with people you might not expect and look out for each other too. You’ve already achieved so much by reaching this point. Now, Sixth Form offers you the space and time to truly flourish into the very best version of yourself. I hope you all have a great rest of your day and an amazing year ahead. I wish you the best of luck and congratulations once again.”

More photos in our gallery here: