Inspiring conversations: prefects and alumnae share career insights and advice with Year 10 and 11 girls

Students in Years 10 and 11, currently considering their A Level and career options benefited from the inspiration and advice of our Sixth Form prefects and St Mary's alumnae, in a virtual event designed to spark ideas and conversations about the future.

90 student and parents joined an hour-long live virtual event, which involved a panel of prefects and alumnae keen to share their experiences. An informal programme encouraged lots of discussion to offer Senior School girls an opportunity to explore topics and questions that would help to support their own future decisions.

Discussion themes ranged from which A Level subjects open up specific career paths, to exploring wider opportunities available in Sixth Form, preparing for university study, and tips on building a strong CV and preparing for career success.

Panel members were exceptionally generous with their advice, highlighting how they have each personally benefitted from the support provided in Sixth Form. Highlights included bespoke careers guidance, a focus on enabling each student to discover her talents and achieve her ambitions and plenty of opportunity to gain extra-curricular skills. The theme of friendship also came through strongly, with all agreeing that St Mary's is a place where lifelong friendships begin.

We were delighted to host St Mary's alumnae who brought a wealth of experience across different fields: 

• Jo Cruse an entrepreneur and educator, became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for her inspiring work as an entrepreneur in 2019 and is a passionate advocate for encouraging young women to explore entrepreneurship
• Helena Campbell former St Mary's Head Girl and History graduate is now pursuing a career in the police force.
• Dawen Gao a Senior Associate and Solicitor-Advocate in the specialist Tax Investigations and Disputes group at Herbert Smith Freehills
• Fiona Barton shared her experiences as a senior journalist and manager in the UK national newspapers and as a media consultant and journalism trainer working in Sri Lanka, Southern Sudan, Zimbabwe and Myanmar.

Our current Sixth Form leaders also joined the panel, to share their experiences of A Level study and future aspirations beyond St Mary's. This included:

• Tabitha D a St Mary's Head Girl, studying Economics, History and English Literature
• Albany G a prefect studying Art, Business Studies and Mathematics
• Natalie C a prefect studying Biology, Chemistry and Geography

Alumnae, Helena Campbell commented: "I really enjoyed the opportunity to discuss my time and experience of St Mary’s School. It was great to hear from the other alumna, the current prefects and the incoming Head of Sixth Form who all share the same sentiment about how great the school is. I wish the girls all the best for their next steps!"

Calling all Alumnae!

If you are a St Mary's Alumna and would like to be involved in supporting the next generation of girls, please do get in touch to find out more.