Leavers

Sixth Form Leavers

- Class of 2021 -

Leavers 2021

Theo Appleby, Camilla Azurdia, Emmeline Barry, Henry Bevan, Sonny Boardman, Chloe Byers, Rachel Corless, Elliot Cotton, Luke Crocker, William Delaney, Matthew Diaz-Rainey, Jackson Eugeni, Cerys Evans, Graham Felton, Archie Finter, Ted Ford, Mackenzie Fowler, Theo Haralambous, Isaac Hardisty, Grace Harvey, Aden Husseyn, Elizabeth Hyatt, Luca Infante, Tom James, Nicholas Johnson, David Jones, Katie Jones, Lexi Jones, Ben Keating, Samarth Kumar, Vineet Kumar, Simon Lawrence, Jonathan Lee, Matthew Lloyd, Vinh Ma, Izza Majeed, Louis Mason, Sophie McGrath, Natasha Mirrlees, Catherine Molloy, Alan Morris, Nada Mostafa, Lillie O’Halloran, Matthew Palmer, Archie Parker-Goff, Shahzeb Pasha, Caelan Phillips, Annie Robertson, Andrew Rutherford, Katie Sergi, Rohan Singhal, Amelia Sowerby, Jack Taylor, Jacob Toolan, David Turner, Madeleine Unsworth, Henry Wild.

Destinations 2021

Accounting, Accounting & Finance, Acting, Biochemistry, Building Surveying, Business Economics, Business Management, Chemical Engineering, Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology, Composition, Conservation Biology and Ecology with Professional Placement, Conservation of Objects in Museums and Archaeology, Criminology, Dentistry, Economics, Economics and Management, Economics with Hispanic Studies, Engineering (Mechanical), English Literature, English Literature and Philosophy, Fashion Buying and Merchandising, General Engineering, History, Human Physiology, International Business with American Studies, Land Economy, Law, Marine Biology, Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics, Economics (MORSE), Mechatronics and Robotic Systems, Medicine, Music (Song Writing and Production), Paramedic Science, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Real Estate.

We bid our Sixth Formers a fond farewell at the end of the summer term

Mrs Vicars It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my Upper Sixth leavers this year. A year group united in their determination, refusing to let the pandemic quash their spirit, they exhibited the values of true Birkonians in both their approach to learning and in their support for others. Elliot, the form spokesperson, always with a funny anecdote to offer, enlightening us with some sage advice for the week ahead, occasionally accompanied by a quote of inspiration from his favourite athlete. Jacob, whose pride at representing the School was always palpable, but who was also able to engender that aspiration for success in others. Lexi, whose drive and determination are matched by an open heart and a desire to give back. Values shared by Rachel and exemplified by their tireless efforts to provide washbags for the homeless at the height of the pandemic. Rachel, our cheerleader and team player. Whatever her own worries and fears and despite the unfamiliar challenges we were facing, always had time to listen and help others. As an example of resilience, Caelan remained focused on self-improvement as he pursued his academic goals. In his role of prefect, (alongside Rachel, Lexi and Isaac) he also displayed exceptional leadership to others within the School community through his graceful and composed demeanour. You will be hard pressed to find a student who loves Birkenhead School more than Isaac. Whether he was giving everything on the sports field or showing prospective new students and parents our School, he embodies the pride that underpins our community. I wish all of them the very best for the future and, I look forward to hearing all about their successes in the years to come. Mrs Parry Jones A very fond farewell to Will, Graham, Samarth, David, Archie, Matthew, Annie, Nada, Camilla and Catherine. There is a huge gap in my lab now where you all used to sit! In time other students will physically fill that, but your collective energising presence at the start of each day has been significant to the positive and cheerful ambience of the room I spend all day in. I have so appreciated and enjoyed your company over the past two years. It has been very special to bear witness to how you have all matured into such delightful adults, all with individual personalities and very much your own people, through the most challenging of sixth form times. You have all had your personal battles to deal with during unprecedented times, but your resilience and fortitude has been remarkable. Despite interruptions to activities both in School and outside, Archie, Annie and Nada your passion for art has shone through as shown by paintspattered uniform at the end of the day! ; Sam, David, Graham, Matthew and Will, I hope that your following of sport remotely can now revert to full active involvement; and Catherine and Camilla that you can pick up on the netball and lacrosse and continue to enjoy these into the future. I hope that you are able to have a lot of fun over the summer and can reflect on how much you will have got out of your time here. As I work towards the end of my teaching career I also reflect on what a privilege it has been to be a small part of your lives in this wonderful school.

Mrs Quinn and I wish you all every success and happiness into the future.

Mr Hill Henry Bevan: Henry is, on the surface of things, one of the ‘quiet men’ of the Sixth Form but don’t be deceived. Beneath the modest exterior, there is a workshop of activity going on. The last seven years have not just been about academic study but also about some formative work experience in tech industry and significant sporting achievement. I could imagine him becoming an Alan Sugar character, but with greater modesty and kindness. He is a man to watch. Henry is also a keen footballer, captaining the school’s First Eleven and representing us every year in Rugby. But what strikes me most is Henry’s interest in developing younger players. There are many for whom the supreme objective is personal performance at the highest level, but to find one who is just as much concerned to enable others to perform to their best, is rarer and is an example to the whole year group.

Theo Haralambous: Theo would be a good poker player as his expression betrays very little and he approaches life with a calm equanimity. Instead, and much more advisedly, he is hoping to study International Business. Perhaps the difference is not so great! A keen student of languages, Theo studied Spanish in the Sixth Form, but has also been teaching himself Modern Greek – as you do if your name is Haralambous.

Theo is no stranger to the world of work.I gather that if you want a bathroom refurbished, he is the man to speak to.

Tom James: Tom’s plans for the future read like the Abstract of a PhD thesis. I was impressed, particularly as it was mostly over my head. If you want to know anything about the ‘Jungian shadow,’ then Tom is your man. We shall also miss the sound of his voice, whether in form period (usually late) or in Chapel Choir or, for that matter, in the many school musicals in which he has performed.

He is actually ‘Captain of Drama’ and I am so glad that there has been a revival of Les Misérables so that Tom can have his day at the barricades after all. He has had to manage all these things at once and has become one of the most resourceful and resilient members of the sixth form.

Izza Majeed: On first acquaintance Izza is quite reserved. Typically, she will be found minding her own business and drawing quietly in form period. Then someone will raise an interesting question and it is a bit like ‘lighting the blue touch paper’: Izza will suddenly become animated and will begin to discourse in a knowledgeable and confident manner on pretty much any subject. She is a successful Whittam Smith essayist and has participated in Rotary ‘Youth Speaks’ and other debating competitions.

However, most impressive has been the fact that Izza has twice won the 6GRH form quiz, which operated during the first and second lock downs. Not many know that she also enjoys baking and finds time to learn an amazing array of languages. I gather that she is heading for the law and so she should be able to keep you out of prison anywhere in the world!

Farewell to our Upper Sixth continued

Mr Hill continued

Alan Morris: Alan will not be separated from two things: one is his mobile phone which I have threatened to defenestrate on countless occasions and the other is his beard, which has got him into all kinds of trouble. A more affable fellow you would go a long way to find. He also holds the record for the number of days off school due to self-isolation and, humour apart, he is to be commended on the resilient way in which he has kept his sixth form studies on track. Alan is interested in Accountancy and will do much to change the stereotype of that profession. I never realised that Alan organised a ‘Finance Club’ at school, but I did know that he represented the school at Rugby and I imagine that he will continue to play at University. Andrew Rutherford: Andrew strikes me as the archetypal post-Covid leader. He has been an excellent school prefect combining an un-ostentatious authority with a comprehensive knowledge of how the school works. He is an initiative taker — the Jeeves of the prefect world — who has already done what you need him to do without first being asked to do it. Andrew aims to be a Land Economist and sees the post-Covid world as being filled with opportunities to create a more sustainable global economy. But he is not all ‘high brow’; a popular figure around the Sixth Form he is someone who volunteers to look after younger students on the climbing wall and I associate him particularly with cricket (school, club, and district) and also as a hockey player in the winter terms. Most of all, I will remember our many interesting conversations in form period. He is a student who bridges the gap between the adult world and the teenage one, as he is equally at home in both.

Mr Armstrong Your Sixth Form years were always going to have been your most difficult – that’s a given, but to have had the additional onslaught of challenges brought by Covid-19, makes your experience unique… and one that will make your great-grandchildren yawn when you keep going on about it! I am so proud of how you have coped with it all and how you have grown to appreciate the real value of friendship and connectivity. I trust the world will have suitably righted itself on its axis as you leave for the big world beyond these hedges. To Emme, Jackson, Aden, Katie, Vinnie, Simon, Jon and Vinh, thank you for being such a fun and friendly bunch to register each morning and afternoon. We’ve had some big laughs, and yes, I did hear everything you chatted about, although I had to look quite a bit of it up in the urban dictionary. An even bigger thank you for those of you who consistently humoured me on Form Zooms over the long lockdown months, even if it was in your PJs with your cameras off! Please keep in touch with us and God bless. Mrs Margerison These past two years have quite possibly been the most challenging and strangest ever for students and I could not be more impressed by the way Ben, Grace, Lillie, Sophie and Sonny have dealt with them. They have successfully navigated their way through A levels in the time of Covid and approach the next stage in their lives ready to take on anything; I shall miss their good company (in person or via zoom) and encourage them to keep pushing towards their dreams, knowing they will go on to achieve much. Grace will no doubt excel in any number of the arts; writing, singing, acting, performing her cello, and possibly doing all at once! I fully expect to hear Ben’s name announced at future music awards as the composer/producer behind globally known tunes, Lillie, realising her long-held goal to be a paramedic, Sophie becoming a great research scientist, and Sonny treading the boards or leading some top rated Netflix drama. Finally, having discovered with them that the best form of mindfulness to cope with impending assessments is eating Werthers Originals, may I wish them the sweetest success for the future. Keep in touch Class of 2021.

Mrs Fountain Being a member of the Sixth Form Tutor Team is a really important part of my job. It is always enjoyable watching students flourish whilst they are in Sixth Form, getting ready for the move onto Higher Education or employment. This group of students have had a challenging time and yet have continued with determination. Chloe arrived new to Birkenhead Sixth Form, a little daunted by her new surroundings but with an ambition to achieve. She leaves as a well-rounded, accomplished student, whose caring nature and empathy means she always has a positive impact on those around her. Cerys has shown a tenacious attitude. I have enjoyed looking at the creativeness of her Art work. She should be proud of her achievements and look forward to university and beyond. Mackenzie was one of the quieter members of the form, but someone who always arrived with a smile on her face. She has a thoughtful nature and is a good friend to others. I have enjoyed watching her confidence increase and her determination and organisation skills will serve her well in the future. Luke has worked tirelessly in pursuit of his ambition.

He has been rewarded with his place at Cardiff to study medicine and I’m sure he will go on to have a great career. I have enjoyed our chats about lower league football and his patience, listening to me when I had regular IT failures during form time.

Mrs Fountain continued

Henry has matured considerably, even he acknowledges that he was prone to a moan in L6! The move to online learning saw him develop an impressive, focused approach to his studies and he set himself high targets. He also discovered a love of Porter’s Generic Strategy – he will discuss this at any opportunity. Enjoy University and take advantage of all the opportunities available. Good luck to you all in everything that you do, you will all go on to do amazing things after school. I wish you success in your careers and most importantly, the happiest of lives! Keep in touch.

Mrs Holgate You have been a very special year group and your departure brings a real sense of ‘the end of an era’ for me and my family.

This Pre-Prep photo from Mrs Porter’s class in 2006 includes Shahzeb and Ted (top row) and Matthew (bottom row), all loyal Birkonians who survived right the way through to U6MLH!

Did Nick start Pre-Prep a little later, or was he here? Either way, his larger-than-life character since joining our form has more than made up for his absence in this class photo!

Next came the girls, when several joined our Reception after Easter in 2007. I have been privileged to have Lizzie, Katie and Maddie as members of my Sixth Form group and all three have been here since the early days, bringing a bit of sparkle to the BPS nativity plays!

Birkenhead School Prep

Luca arrived in Year 4 when I remember teaching him French and noticing his exceptional talents as a budding linguist even back then.

Finally, David joined towards the end of Prep and was also in L6MLH before defecting … or perhaps I should say before being ‘promoted’ with Lizzie to U6LS. You are a talented group of students and I look forward to hearing about your success over the years to come. I wish you all the very best in achieving your ambitions!

Mrs Eassie

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to act as the form teacher for U6KPE over the course of an extremely difficult and challenging year for all of you. I am proud of the way that you have all dealt with the unusual circumstances in which we have found ourselves. I have had the pleasure of teaching Theo both Maths and Further Maths over the past two years. His sense of humour shines through everything he does (including his personal statement!) I wish him all the best for his continued studies in Maths, hopefully at an institution close to a golf course. Louis has displayed a quiet determination this year in preparing for, and being offered, some outstanding apprenticeships with global companies. Approaching his studies in the same understated and efficient way I fully expect him to achieve everything he puts his mind to. Natasha is an intelligent and talented young woman. I am sure that she will go from strength to strength in her future studies in Law. Matthew has helped to ensure that our form periods have been filled with in depth political discussion, as well as taking part in the most competitive school council election I have seen in my time at Birkenhead School. I am sure that such an intelligent and articulate young man will go far in his chosen field of politics. Rohan has shown an immense work ethic and determination to succeed. I very much enjoyed helping him with BMAT preparation during form periods. I also had the opportunity to teach him Maths for a short time. I am so pleased for him that his efforts paid off with an offer from Cambridge. I am sure I will be asking for help and advice in preparing future students following in his path. Jack has grown into a confident and hardworking student. I will particularly remember his achievements as manager of the Beresford House football team a role which he took extremely seriously. I am sure that his organisational, motivational and leadership skills will stand him in good stead in his future career as a dentist. In a year in which we have spent a lot of time online I have, perhaps, not had the opportunity to get to know all of you as well as I might hope. However, I can say that you are an impressive and talented group of young adults. You have all shown great resilience this year and I am very proud to have had the chance to share a small part of your journey through Birkenhead School. Please keep in touch and good luck in everything that the future holds.