LSE, Northumbria and the University of Cambridge – Alumnae stories

Finding a passion is an important task to accomplish during your school years and at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, we offer a wide range of subjects to ensure students have the best opportunity to explore their interests. We also aim to inspire students through extra-curricular pursuits: various charitable opportunities, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, CAFOD Young Leaders, work experience placements and more.

We recently spoke to three of our alumnae, who found their passions during their time with us, and who have continued to pursue these since leaving school.

Jess F. is in her first year at Northumbria University, reading Psychology

Jess was at our school for just short of a decade, beginning her journey in the Junior School in Year 6. Towards the end of her time with us, Jess decided to pursue Psychology, when she was choosing her A Level subjects. She hadn’t previously studied Psychology but was instantly fascinated at studying the thought process and reasoning behind people’s actions: was society at large the key influence, or perhaps the context of one’s upbringing?

Jess said: “It’s important to have a genuine interest in a subject like Psychology otherwise it can be overwhelming. I guess we’ve all, to a degree, got something in us that makes us act in a particular way, and it could be because of the way we’ve been brought up by our families, but also because of everything that is constantly happening around us. Studying Psychology has made me more aware of all of these influences.”

Yinuo M. is in her first year at Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, reading History

Yinuo initially came to St Mary’s School, Cambridge with an intention to pursue sciences at university. However, shortly into studying A Level Physics, Yinuo realised that, while she enjoyed Physics, it was not her passion. Recognising that she had encountered a change of heart, her teachers encouraged her decision to switch to History and she has since “been captivated by all that the subject comprises.”

History is an easy subject to be passionate about, as there is something for everyone to relate to in their personal history. From China, and with family members still living there, it is unsurprising that Yinuo became fond of Chinese history. Under the guidance of her teacher Mr Mike Hemingway, Yinuo revelled at the opportunity to delve deeper into Chinese history when studying Mao’s Chinese Revolution.

Yinuo said: “Mr Hemingway was an inspiration to me throughout my studies; he also read History at the University of Cambridge and both he and Mrs [Kate] Latham were happy to help me with the application process in the preliminary stage of applying to Emmanuel College.

“I joined the school as a boarder in 2015 and my love for Cambridge has not stopped growing. The area is rich with history, which is complementary to my studies, and I have been really lucky to join such a welcoming college in the city too. It just so happens that a considerable number of my textbooks are written by my lecturers too, so if I’d like to challenge or query something I’ve read, it is easy to do so!”

Alex H. is in the midst of a Masters in Human Geography and Urban Planning at the London School of Economics (LSE)

Acquiring an appetite for Geography was an easy road for Alex during her time at St Mary’s School, Cambridge. She said: “My Geography teachers played a key role in developing my passion because they always encouraged me and taught in a stimulating and engaging manner.”

During her studies at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, Alex found an interest for urban geography, in particular, how political, social and economic issues influence how people experience space. Looking at case studies was an important part of this as it introduces key concepts of space, time, place and scale: all useful for enhancing analytical skills, something that proved ‘useful’ for Alex at undergraduate and post-graduate degree level.

Alex said: “In my undergraduate degree I was awarded a Dean’s Commendation for Academic Excellence, which finally persuaded me that my teachers at school were right: I could do it if I worked hard enough! Now studying my MSc, I am looking at wider global perspectives of cities and a very recently published book, The New Urban Crisis, by Professor Richard Florida. I thoroughly enjoy how geography gives you the skills to go into the world and empirically understand processes.”