Democracy in Action at Cobham Hall

Excitement for the Guardian Convention

One of the most popular and much anticipated events in the school calendar took place this term: the annual Guardian Convention. The whole school gathered in The Gilt Hall to elect a new Student Leadership Team.

As the School filed into The Gilt Hall, nervous yet excited smiles danced on the faces of the girls standing for Deputy Guardians and House Captains. Once everyone was seated, Headmistress Ms Roberts and our Guardian candidates, Lilly and Sarah, entered the room.

Opening the Convention with a message of reflection and thanks to the outgoing SLT, Ms Roberts introduced the day praising the girls, saying that to simply put themselves forward to represent their peers was an admirable step to take, and the courage required to do so was inspiring.

After hearing external references, Lilly and Sarah, each followed by their Deputies, gave their speeches. Each speech truly reflected the girls’ personalities, as well as clearly laying out their beliefs and ideas should they be elected. Then followed the internal references before both girls responded to difficult questions from the floor with ease, grace and good humour.

Attention then turned to candidates for the House Captain positions, with each candidate appealing to their respective Houses to encourage votes.

Voting took place over lunchtime, with each member of the community having equal vote. Later in the afternoon, Ms Roberts’s voice came from the tannoy announcing our 2019-2020 Student Leadership Team, as detailed below.

Guardian

Sarah

Studies: History, Politics, Theatre

Aspirations: To live a happy, successful life, and to always be surrounded by friends and family.

Favourite Quotation: “You may have no idea what lays ahead, but you also have no idea how strong you are.” - Morgan H Nicholas

Deputy Guardians

Teloni

Studies: English, Politics, Psychology, Economics

Aspirations: To study international relations and African politics, making little waves of changes to every nation.

Favourite Quotation: “I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” - George Fairman 16

Anna

Studies: Politics, History, Geography

Aspirations: Humanitarian work, Involvement with the United Nations

Favourite Quotation: “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity can’t survive.” - Dalai Lama

Clifton House Captain

Lilly

Studies: Physics, History, Physical Education

Aspirations: Aspiring Triathlete/Road Cyclist To study Sport Science at University Blog writing/Journalism Conservation Projects

Favourite Quotation: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” - Nelson Mandela

Lenox House Captain

Langa

Studies: Chemistry, Mathematics, Spanish

Aspirations: To make a change in the world and to be happy and make those around me happy too

Favourite Quotation: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” - Helen Keller

Darnley House Captain

Rosie

Studies: Psychology, Art, Photography

Aspirations: To go into a design-based career, such as fashion or interior.

Favourite Quotation: “A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” - Serena Williams

Richmond House Captain

Chiamaka

Studies: Biology, Psychology, Spanish, Theatre

Aspirations: I love make-up and I’m starting my own business. I would really love to work in international affairs.

Favourite Quotation: “It is what it is, so there is no point stressing over things you can’t change or control.” - Anon. 17

Thanks to our Outgoing SLT

As we welcome our new SLT into their roles, we also say thank you to our outgoing Team.

Reflecting on all their acheivements, the girls were united in mentioning Beauty Banks as one of their proudest. Having handed the donations to the charity in an assembly this term, Darnley House Captain Olivia was pleased they had raised awareness of an “amazing lesser known charity, especially as it specifically targets less fortunate females: it’s an important charity to raise awareness of in an allgirls school.”

Events were also another memorable achievement for the girls, with Clifton House Captain Britta explaining, “Events like the Colour Run were my favourite because we could directly see the girls and how much they were enjoying themselves, and that made the planning worthwhile.”

Giving advice to the new team, the girls used words such as ‘listen’, ‘balance’, and ‘support’. Guardian Hannah summed this up, “Make sure you work as a team. Encourage and support each other as the work can sometimes get overwhelming. It is so important to balance out the work.”

“As long as the new SLT has their own spark and work for the common good, sharing the workload, and listening to the girls, they cannot go wrong,” added Britta. “I hope they will continue the legacy of of friendly, supportive SLTs but remember: don’t copy anyone else. Trust your own ideas and create your own unique legacy.”