School memories

SCHOOL MEMORIES CATHERINE AND GEMMA KING

The Cambridge undergrads, who won spots on the Women’s Lightweight Blue Boat Crew in the Boat Race, recall Lady Eleanor Holles School

Your school in three words?

C: Busy, supportive, fun!

The sisters took part in the Oxbridge Boat Race this year

What did you want to be when you grew up?

C: I’ve never really known exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up! I think every time I made decisions, I just picked the subject I liked most. Even now, I still don’t know exactly what I want to do, but currently hope to go into scientific research. G: I often said I thought I’d like to become a teacher in the future, as I love helping others. I tried a bit of online tutoring during the pandemic and found it really rewarding. The twins have always However, I’m also been team players really enjoying research, so could see myself staying in this field too.

Play any pranks?

G: Being a twin, we probably should have made the most of this and tried more pranks! We tried switching classes a couple of times. However, every time we tried to swap, it didn’t last very long as all our friends could tell us apart. Pretty soon some giggles would give the game away!

Favourite place to hang out?

G: The sixth form common room was a nice space to spend time chatting to friends, particularly before school and

WE TRIED SWITCHING CLASSES A COUPLE OF TIMES. However, every time we tried to swap, it didn’t last very long AS ALL OUR FRIENDS COULD TELL US APART

during breaks. However, if we had to pick one place it would have to be the lunch hall as school meals were great!

Lone wolf or team player?

C: Definitely team players! We’ve always loved being part of sports teams.

All-star sports captain or outside field lingerer?

C: We spent pretty much every minute of free time doing sport or music – we’d do clubs before school, at lunch and after school pretty much every day! On Friday morning before we had our first lesson, we’d already have had rowing training and been to two music clubs: I played trumpet and Gemma played trombone. G: We’ve always loved sports and have competed at a reasonable level at quite a few, such as the Surrey Youth Games for swimming, National Schools’ Lacrosse Championships, English Schools’ Cross Country Championship and we’ve represented GB and England at international rowing races.

Did you win any prizes?

G: We both won academic scholarships, music exhibitions and yearly awards for our exam results. I won my school’s science prize, and in our final year, Catherine and I won an award for rowing.

Favourite teacher?

G: Biology was my favourite subject in sixth form. I had a great teacher called Mrs Nicholls who was always happy to answer questions and made lessons really interesting. I’m starting a PhD

in stem cell biology next year and she definitely contributed to my love of science. C: I had a lot of incredible teachers who inspired me. But my A-level mechanics teacher, Mrs Reed, was my favourite as she was always so supportive.

How would your teachers describe you?

G: They’d probably say that we were both very determined and hard-working, but also a bit crazy for doing so much!

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YEAR 9 OPENING SEPTEMBER 2023

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