When did you join St Andrew’s Cathedral School? What was your first impression? Did that change? In what way?
I joined St Andrew’s Cathedral School in 2023, in Year 10.
“My first impression was that everyone was very welcoming to me as a new student, though the city location with its wide variety of food options was a close second.”
My first impression was that everyone was very welcoming to me as a new student, though the city location with its wide variety of food options was a close second. This hasn’t really changed much since.
What is your proudest achievement at the School so far?
My proudest achievement is regarding my own character development: realising that no dream is unattainable.
I increasingly undertook goals that seemed just out of reach for me, only to find out that I could, in fact, accomplish them – even if I initially felt like I had no right even making an attempt at it. I would have never expected this degree of confidence and ambition three years ago when I first joined St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
“My proudest achievement is regarding my own character development: realising that no dream is unattainable.”
You are now House Captain of Westminster. What does that involve? Has being a leader developed your character?
I think I started developing my leadership skills by joining the debating team early in Year 10. Ever since, I often found myself in different leadership positions, such as being chosen as Deputy Editor-In-Chief of OnCampus.
Whilst debate is not necessarily a leadership trait, I developed the ability of motivating others to act – an important skill in many positions of leadership.
Becoming House Captain provided an entirely new experience to me. The School left leadership mostly in my own hands, allowing me to develop a leadership style uniquely authentic to me.
I think there is little more satisfying than delivering a speech that’s well-received among the audience and hopefully being successful in communicating the key message.
Is there a particular subject you most enjoy? Any inspirational teachers?
Despite only starting Philosophy as a subject in Year 11, it has quickly become one of my favourites. There’s a very different atmosphere than in other classes, likely to the small class size of six people.
We also wrestle with complicated ideas about the nature of humans, as well as the ways we should structure society (political philosophy) and how we should act (ethics).
I find Dr Hall to be especially inspiring as he very dedicated to the class and the subject.
You are involved in a range of activities, including mock trial – any highlights? How do you achieve balance?
Getting into the elimination rounds was a big highlight of mock trial. I also participated in the student-run School magazine, OnCampus, and the ISDA debating competition, which was probably my favourite extracurricular activity.
Achieving balance is not easy, but if you are passionate about the School subjects and extracurricular it almost comes naturally.
Do you have a few lasting memories of St Andrew’s cathedral School or a story you’d like to share?
I think one of my favourite memories, which I routinely got to repeat throughout Year 10-12 is weekly ‘dinner’ before the debate with the rest of the Debating team. It was nice to have that bit of socialising before the debate to end the week – even though staying at School until 9pm on a Friday night does not seem that appealing to many.
A single memory to summarise this would be going with my team to buy matcha green tea before the debate, as a signature team drink. It is one of my earliest memories of debating, and we made sure to do it on the last day too.
What do you hope to do next year and in your future?
I hope to study in Europe next year and complete a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics degree. Whatever I end up doing career-wise, I certainly want to leave a lasting legacy on the world.
