letter
Brighton & Hove High School GDSt Issue 14 January 2016
Dear Parents and Girls, You may have read last week that campaigners have successfully fought plans to leave feminism out of A Level Politics. England’s Schools Minister, Nick Gibb, announced a change of heart after an outcry over the lack of female thinkers in the draft specification. Commenting to the BBC, Science campaigner, Jacquelyn Guderley, said: “This should act as a springboard for more female role models. Ms Guderley, co-founder of the Stemettes group, which encourages girls into science, maths and engineering careers, said there should be more female representation across the board: “You can’t be what you can’t see, which is why including varied female role models across all subjects is of crucial importance.” There is no doubt that our girls need good role models, but the idea that ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’ applies to women at every stage of life, at school and beyond. All BHHS girls, on leaving school, automatically become members of the GDST Alumnae Network, a community of over 65,000 former students and staff of the 24 schools and two academies of the GDST. It’s the biggest network of its kind in the country, bringing together alumnae based in the UK and overseas and is composed of people from many different paths in life – City bankers, stay-athome mums, charity workers, entrepreneurs and more. The diversity and size of the community are its strengths. Last year saw the establishment of a GDST mentoring scheme, pairing experienced alumnae with younger women to mentor, coach and generally help them realise their ambitions in whatever career paths they have chosen. There are three key points in a woman’s career when this kind of mentoring can be particularly helpful: on her first entry to the workplace, when a mentor can help adapt to new expectations and acclimatise to workplace culture; in her late 20’s / early 30’s where an experienced alumnae can help demonstrate the possibilities of balancing work and a family; and, thirdly, the point at which a woman is considering applying for a the big, career-defining promotion. Unsurprisingly, the scheme has been very popular. We all need great career mentors and role models and, at BHHS, we make sure all our Sixth Formers have access to one. We are able to do this because of the willing volunteering of our parent and governor community. If you could support us, too, please get in touch. Have a good weekend. Jennifer Smith
diary
Monday 25th 10C Guild Week; Sixth Form scholarship exam; Tuesday 26th Sixth Form interviews; Digital Leaders’ Conference (South Hampstead); Y12 Oxbridge Conference (Eastbourne College), 2-4:30pm; Wednesday 27th Sixth Form interviews; Fashion Show auditions, 12:30-1pm; Thursday 28th House assembly; Sixth Form interviews; Fashion Show auditions, 12:30-1pm; Y10 trip to see The Lord of the Flies; Y11 GCSE Drama rehearsal, P4-5; Fri 29th Sixth Form Interviews and Recruitment Development Day (Y12 & 13 off timetable) 2015-16 Issue 14: 1