Gigi D. awarded Gold Arts Award

Lower Sixth student Gigi D. has just been awarded her Gold Arts Award after 15 months of hard work to complete the required units. Before arriving at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, Gigi had not considered a career in theatre arts, but with guidance from her teachers she now aims to pursue her hobby as a profession.

Throughout her journey at the Senior School, Gigi has shone as a scholar, a musician and as a global citizen, as well as being successful in her acting pursuits (see page 19): so we are thrilled that her achievements have been formally recognised by the prestigious Arts Award.

To pass the Gold Award students have to complete two units, each of which includes various sub-sections.  Unit 1 of the award is titled ‘personal arts development,’ for which Gigi focused on rearranging the composition of one of her favourite films, La La Land. Unit 2 is titled ‘leadership of an arts project’ and is broken down into three parts: plan a project; deliver the project; and review the leadership of the project. To complete this section, Gigi researched critically acclaimed individuals from within the theatre industry, such as Kenneth Branagh and Marion Elliot, and took an internship at The Junction, Cambridge, to expand her knowledge further. She also contributed to the Voice publication, discussing the very topical issue of gender equality in the industry, a topic she is passionate about.

Outside of school Gigi has taken part in a variety of productions, both on stage and behind the scenes in the production team, and regularly pursues her hobby: music. Gigi is currently taking her Grade 8 in the Saxophone and will be completing her practical exam in March. Well done to Gigi for this fantastic accomplishment and we would like to wish Gigi the best of luck for her future, but first, for her upcoming A Levels!