Alumni

Alumni Advice

Bolton School welcomed twenty highachieving Old Girls back to the Girls’ Division to help commemorate International Women’s Day. Girls were advised to grasp opportunities, challenge themselves, build resilience and take risks across a day of speeches and discussion. Stephanie Barwise QC (Class of 1982) addressed the whole of the Girls’ Division in morning assembly to start the day. Stephanie is one of the lead QCs in The Grenfell Tower Inquiry and was featured in The Lawyer’s 2019 ‘Hot 100’ list. She told girls not to worry if they are not yet certain about their career path: what is more important is having a will to succeed. As the world and employment opportunities develop apace, she advised that creativity and personality will become ever more important traits. Reviewing her five takeaway points at the end, she said: “Keep an open mind, make your own luck and follow your instincts, be bold but stay humble, have a strong sense of what is right and wrong and keep your sense of gratitude.” International Women’s Day continued with further inspiring and informative talks and round-table sessions with alumni for Years 8 to 10, and Year 12 girls had the opportunity for short face to face discussions in the afternoon. As the year progressed, yet more Old Girls returned to offer their advice and guidance: two were speakers at the Careers Relating to the Environment day for Years 10 to 13, and four returned to share their expertise and insight with Year 12 students on World of Work Day. At the inaugural Oxbridge Conference, a trio of Old Girls offered a valuable student’s perspective on studying at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. There were also several individual visits linked to the curriculum, PSHEE and careers. Physics students in Years 10 to 13 enjoyed stimulating presentations about the evolution of the

Stephanie Barwise QC gave the keynote speech on International Women’s Day Hanna Miraftab offering advice to Year 11 in PSHEE Tia Louden (2002-2011) discussed her career in tech on World of Work Day

universe from Old Girl Dr Becky Smethurst (Class of 2008), now a Junior Research Fellow in Astrophysics at Christ Church College, Oxford University. Dentist and star of ‘The Real Housewives of Cheshire’ Hanna Miraftab (1999-2006) delivered an inspiring lesson to Year 11 girls, focusing on her flourishing career in dentistry and offering advice on interview preparation. Earlier in the year, Hanna was one of the guest speakers at International Women’s Day. Her classmate Hannah Bradley (19992006) delivered an interactive workshop on conflict resolution for the Sixth Form, based on her work as a Dispute Resolution Solicitor. Senior Crime Scene Manager Lindsy Slamon (Class of 1994) addressed pupils in Year 9 to 11 from both Divisions about her work in forensic science. Her fascinating talk covered the meticulous nature of her job, forensic strategy, different roles in her line of work and the types of evidence that her team collects, including digital evidence. Girls also benefitted from the School’s links with Old Boys, who gave lunchtime talks and presentations at careers days. Students studying Religion and Philosophy at A Level attended the Boys’ Division annual conference, Making Philosophy Real, which featured two alumni speakers.

Careers Relating to the Environment day featured a talk from Pamela Thompson (1983-85) from the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Dr Becky Smethurst at Astrophysics Club

Forthcoming Events...

10 October 2019 Manchester Networking Event, Manchester (TBC) 11 November 2019 Old Girls’ Lunch & Armistice Memorial, Arts Centre, Bolton School 15 November 2019 Oxford Dinner, Oxford (TBC) 31 January 2020 Old Girls’ Lunch, Arts Centre, Bolton School 7 February 2020 Cambridge Dinner, Cambridge (TBC) 6 March 2020 London Dinner, Lords 25 April 2020 ‘10’ Class Reunion, Bolton School 1 May 2020 Scottish Dinner, University of Edinburgh 5 June 2020 Old Girls’ Lunch & AGM, Arts Centre, Bolton School 12 June 2020 Cumbria Lunch, Lindeth Howe Hotel 13 June 2020 PA Ball, TBC

“Lovely to catch up with everyone and talk about fond memories of Bolton School!” Mehranguiz Mokri (Class of 2017)

Thank you to all of those Old Girls who have given so freely of their time, knowledge and expertise to help current pupils. If you would like to offer your assistance, please contact the Development Office.