Head Girls Speak Out

Head Girls

Baroness Ilora Finlay, née Gillian Dowman (Class of 1967)

Katy Astley, née Joubert (Class of 1999)

Priyanka Patel, (Class of 2017)

Head Girl 2020 - 2021, Jess, chats to former Head Girls, Baroness Ilora Finlay, née Gillian Dowman (Class of 1967), Katy Astley, née Joubert (Class of 1999) and Priyanka Patel (Class of 2017) about their time as Head Girl of Wimbledon High School.

Interview by: Jess Leunig, Head Girl

What did you enjoy most about being Head Girl at WHS?

Priyanka - Connectivity and developing connections.

Katy - The sense of belonging and feeling valued.

Ilora - Influencing change and being listened to by staff and the Headmistress.

How did the Head Girl Team function when you were here?

Priyanka – We were a close team and made sure all decisions were made on a uniform basis. I always tried to recognise that everyone was there because they brought something to their role.

Katy - We had two deputies and a cabinet, and we would meet regularly, so I learnt to Chair a formal meeting and made connections that have continued for life.

Ilora – The school was smaller, but we still had two deputies and I am still in touch with one of them. We would meet each week for an update with the Headmistress over coffee and biscuits. What qualities allowed you to be an effective Head Girl?

Ilora – I had a slightly rebellious side and I remained friends with the rebellious group which gave me some negotiation skills and taught me how to tackle problems from different angles. Priyanka – A desire and foresight to impact change and to balance friendships whilst maintaining a vision. I learnt more in that year than I had in all the previous years. Katy – I felt confident at school from the beginning and got a gold badge in Juniors in my first term.

Speak Out

What qualities did you develop as Head Girl that you think have helped in your career?

Ilora – It gave me courage to recognise things I thought were morally or ethically wrong and hold onto those even when challenged and I have taken that right through my career into parliament and beyond. Priyanka – It is very character building; you learn that if you want to make change you have to be prepared for the backlash, but Mrs Lunnon really empowered us, she wanted us to bang on her door and demand change. Katy – I remained ambitious and I have taken that role of influencer into my professional and personal life.

How do you think you have empowered other women in your career?

Katy – I went into a female dominated career in Higher Education and Fundraising, so my empowerment comes from empowering anyone junior coming up the ladder. Ilora – I believe we have to be prepared to speak out on a broader level about how women in other countries are treated and not to forget how many rights we have here in the UK. But in my role, I always aim to encourage young women coming into government and recognise their strengths.

Priyanka – I received a lot of knock-backs before I secured my training contract in Commercial Law, which is very male dominated, so now I am using my experiences and opportunities to support other young women looking for roles in the city.

What advice would you give to your younger self as Head Girl?

Katy – Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You don’t have to live up to the person you think you have to be.

Priyanka – Maintain an open mind and build your own network, make your own opportunities, that is your superpower.

Ilora – Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and never be critical of others without understanding. What has been your experience of life in lockdown and what have you learnt?

Priyanka – It has made me grateful for the small things and to be more present. Katy – How important education is and not just for learning, but how it teaches us how to be in society. Ilora – How precious life is and not to take nature for granted.