There are several icons of the Abbey – our classic green and purple uniform, Nora and of course our Magnolia tree to name a few. These icons are transcendental and embody The Abbey in unique ways. Over the course of our headship this is what we have strived to achieve – a method of leadership that embodies Abbey values and some form of change that transcends us. Before we reflect upon our time and express our gratitude, we’d just like to focus on one of these icons – the Magnolia tree.
The Magnolia is with us all year round and in many ways serves as an anchor for our school community. In Spring, however, it takes on a different meaning. Year on year, the blossoming magnolia brings us into the new season and reflects a period of transition. The spring term transition is different for everyone, but for the Year 13s it is particularly poignant – marking the end of our time at The Abbey. The blossoming flowers are not meant to last, they serve as a reminder to stay in the present. It’s important to remember this as time increasingly seems to whiz past us. We’d like to encourage everyone, particularly UVI and UV, to take a minute each day to stop and just be. It’s harder than you think! Periods of transition always cause anxiety, but in life, change is the only real constant. Shifting our mindset surrounding change is key to embracing all the things that come our way and living life to the fullest. The Magnolia welcomes the change of seasons and all that they bring, we hope it inspires you to do the same.
Shifting to our personal reflections, we’d like to express our sincere gratitude to the school for this wonderful opportunity to lead and shape the community. Spending our final year at school being involved in making a difference has been incredibly rewarding, whether that’s running school council and ensuring student voice gets heard or being a part of meetings with leadership teams to help shape the direction of our school. We can truly say that The Abbey is a place where student voice is not only heard but valued and acted upon. Our next thank you must go to the deputies and the wider prefect team for bringing their ideas for change forward and into action. Beyond this, growing up surrounded by such wonderful people has shaped our experience not only as head girls but as students. Knowing that someone has always got your back when things get tough and having people to go on a starbucks run with when you just need a break. Last, but certainly not least, we must extend our thanks to the staff at The Abbey. Just like the students, without them The Abbey would not be the place it is today. Their unwavering support and dedication to making this school the best it can be does not go unrecognised and working with them in a different capacity this year has made us appreciate them all the more.
Over this past year we have always kept kindness, honesty and confidence at the forefront of our leadership and we hope we will be remembered as people who embodied these Abbey values.
To our fellow year 13s, we can’t wait to see what the future holds and the impact you will have on the world around you. As clichéd as it may sound, there are no limits so don’t limit yourself.
Grace and Aarini, Upper VI