Story of a Gown

The Prefects’ gowns are one of the enduring symbols of the Girls’ Division, and the Gowning of the Prefects, held in the Great Hall each May, has become one of its most special traditions. Here Zanthy Epifaniou (Class of 2004), Amy Marwick (Class of 2010) and Millie Camm (Class of 2014) describe wearing their gowns with pride. What was your favourite moment whilst wearing your gown? Zanthy: There was a bit of a build up to my favourite moment. My sister, Oli ("Olga") Epifaniou (Class of 2000) is 4½ years older than me and was also a Prefect. She is someone I looked up to immensely, so when it came to Zanthy (right) with big sister Oli allocating our Prefect gowns, it was the mad scramble beforehand (which actually involved a lot of negotiation, persuading and eventual begging) to make sure that I received hers! Then, when I first entered morning assembly in the Great Hall, with the resounding sound of the organ playing, the whole School standing and, me, walking down the aisle, gown slightly swishing against the wooden chairs, all in the knowledge that my name was sewn in next to Oli’s, I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of pride. That was my moment! Amy: I think everyone at some point ran across the quad pretending to be Batman! I loved the tradition of the Ceremony of Carols and even just walking into assembly. My absolute favourite memory of being a Prefect has to be the Prefects’ Panto Amy (front right) wearing her at Christmas (I played gown in 2010 Mr Boyle) which I still remember as such a fun-filled and hilarious day. Millie: The Prefects’ Panto was definitely a highlight! Having seen it performed by others all the way through School and then have the privilege of performing in my final year was great! I did quite enjoy walking into assembly too; the whole Millie wearing her School standing as we entered was pretty Prefect’s gown memorable. What were your hopes and plans for the future, as you passed on your gown? Zanthy: I was more a dreamer than a planner, so I had lots of dreams. The official immediate plan was to study law at university, but I secretly never saw myself becoming a lawyer. I didn’t really specifically know what I wanted to do (I don’t think anyone really knows, especially at 17), but I saw myself doing so many things … a traveller, a writer, a dancer, an actress in the West End, an Olympic champion (in what?!). I didn’t really know what was out there, so I just thought I would take it a moment at a time and see where it would lead me.

Amy: I knew I wanted to study Biology and had an inkling I would like to teach, but I was happy to see where life took me! Millie: I’m not really sure. I had no idea what I wanted to be or where I wanted to end up (I still don’t really!). However, I’d done World Challenge and I knew I definitely wanted to travel more, which is something I went on to do. What did you do after leaving School? Zanthy: I studied law and then did an LLM in Medical Law at the University of Manchester. I then came down to London and completed the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC, as it was then called) and quickly realised, as I had suspected all those years ago (or rather simply just admitted to myself), that I did not want to become a Barrister ... or a Solicitor or anything related to law. I did, however, somehow still find myself working as a legal advisor in a private family office for a high-net worth family operating (and, with my help, restructuring) businesses worldwide.

Amy: I studied Biological Sciences at Liverpool University which I absolutely loved. I loved Liverpool and still spend a lot of time there visiting friends. After graduating in 2013, I took a year out to travel with my sister and I then studied for my PGCE at Edge Hill. I’ve been teaching Biology ever since.

Millie: I was never 100% certain whether going to university was really worthwhile, so after getting my A Levels, I deferred my position at St Andrews and decided to take up an accounting apprenticeship at Deloitte. After nine months living in Leeds and doing tax depreciation, inevitably I decided I wasn’t sure enough about an accounting career to risk not getting a degree. So I got a place studying Maths (and Spanish initially) at the University of Manchester.

Lots of Amy’s friends from School attended her wedding last year

Prefects 2003-04 – Zanthy is second from left on the back row

What are you doing now? Zanthy: Ten years later, still said legal advisor in same private family office. However, I am slowly checking off my country bucket list, I have started writing a children’s book, I have competed in pro-am Latin and ballroom dance competitions (with swing dance competitions on the horizon), am actively auditioning in amateur musical theatre productions and training in archery (finally found my Olympic sport). What I have come to realise is what we ‘do’ isn’t just the profession we stumble into (and if you do a law degree, a Master’s in law, your BPTC, it is less of a ‘stumble’ and more of an inevitability). Our profession is just a small percentage of the bigger story of who we are. What we ‘do’ is all the moments in between – between school, our degree, Master’s, BPTC, job – and the people we choose to do those things with. I wasn’t in the lucky few that find their dream job, but I am lucky enough to be in a position where I am living out some of my dreams with some pretty amazing people. Amy: I’m a Biology teacher, which I absolutely love. The job has its moments, but overall I love sharing my passion for Science. I had some amazing teachers at Bolton School whom I hope to emulate, especially Mrs Furey who taught me Biology for about five years! I was on a BBC podcast called ‘Teach me a Lesson’ last year where I talked through my favourite subject (Genetics); it was a great experience. Millie: I’m working at Willis Towers Watson. I have just finished studying and have become a qualified actuary, specialising in life insurance. The exams are known for being particularly tough and it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done by far!

What one piece of advice would you give to this year’s Year 13 pupils? Zanthy: Plan for your dreams to make your dreams the inevitability, letting go of any expectations you or anyone else may have of you, and live every moment in between. Amy: Don’t panic too much about having your whole life mapped out – just pick subjects and jobs that you enjoy doing and are interested in and you will figure it out along the way! Millie: Don’t get bogged down about not knowing what you want to do when you’re older – there will be so many jobs out there that you’ve never even heard of! I’d just try to experience as much as you can and say ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes your way. Are you still in touch with friends from School? Zanthy: Unfortunately, not as much nowadays. It has been a few years now since I have seen anyone from School, but I have a lot of good memories which will always be cherished. Amy: Absolutely! I’m still in touch with a big group who get together as often as we can. We were so lucky to have lots of them at our wedding Amy (right) and her twin sister, Beth, last year, and we have celebrating their 30th birthdays this year three more weddings to look forward to! We often comment how lucky we are to remain so close all these years later. Millie: Yes; I’ve kept in contact with lots of friends from School! Obviously Covid made it harder to meet up though!

Millie, pictured with her Dad, graduated from the University of Manchester

Millie celebrating after passing her last actuarial exam