“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We are strongest when we cheer each other on.” – Serena Williams 

Hello everyone, we are Maya, Aurelia, Manya, Izrella, Astrid and Amy and together we are the Deputy Head Girls! As part of our position we are part of the Head Girl Team, working with Anoushka and Agnes, as well as being members of the Student Leadership Team. 

You might be wondering what we do? We play an integral role in Sixth Form, coordinating the peer mentorship programme, and attend the Whole School Council to act as the voice for LVI/UVI. From a wider perspective, we chair the Section Councils and represent The Abbey community on Open Days and other events. This year we have been given the opportunity to execute our own ideas in whichever area of the school most interests us. Individually, we have a plethora of skills and experiences due to our variety of subjects which we intend on drawing upon in our endeavours throughout the year. 

I’m Maya, and I study Biology, Chemistry and Maths A level. My future aspirations are to continue studying science at university, and I am still exploring other areas to find which would interest me most. In my free time I enjoy running and I have recently started Tang Sou Dao, which is a form of martial arts. I have been at The Abbey since nursery and it has played a huge role in my life. I would love to help create an environment where every student feels included and heard, supported and encouraged to achieve their full potential. I am also excited to be working alongside the other Deputy Head Girls in supporting the Head Girls and working with the leadership team in achieving The Abbey’s goals for the next academic year!

Hi, my name is Aurelia, and I study Biology, Chemistry and PE at A Level. My plan is to read Medicine at university in the United States, where I will be taking up a rowing scholarship. Rowing has been a huge part of my life where I have learnt determination and perseverance, and I have been privileged to represent Great Britain in the sport. Outside of my studies, I have a wide range of interests: I play music, dance, enjoy drama, and am always eager to embrace every new experience. I am especially passionate about giving back to the community; I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for charity, swum with sharks to support marine conservation, and have taken part in many other charitable initiatives. Having been at The Abbey since Year 7 and now in Year 12, I feel deeply connected to our school community. In this role, I hope to empower every student to feel confident and to embrace  the many opportunities available to them. I would love to see the school place an even greater focus on charitable work, so we can make a meaningful difference to our world and the many in need of support. 

Hi, I’m Manya. I study History, English Literature and Politics A level, having previously done History, German, Drama and PaT GCSE. In the future, I would like to study a course related to History and Politics at University, with aspirations of going to UCL. Outside of school I love to dance, act and write, and in general I love being creative. This year in my role I would really like to focus more on whole school integration, such as perhaps starting a peer mentorship programme that spans across all year groups or running oracy workshops as part of my job as chair of Teaching and Learning Council. I am very excited to work alongside the other Deputies and the Head Girls to form a brilliant team. 

Hi, my name is Izrella. I am currently studying Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics at A level  and enjoy other extracurriculars such as debating and research. My GCSE options were  Music, PaT, Spanish and History – in which the course included a study in medicine through time from which I found a further interest in psychology/anatomy, medicine and care. 

Despite having a wide range of interests, I found a specific passion for healthcare which is why I intend on studying Medicine at university. In my free time I enjoy basketball, music and reading. In my role, I am hoping to develop networking amongst all members of the Abbey community (students, alumnae and parents). Furthermore, I would like to encourage super-curriculars in all year groups. 

Hi, I’m Astrid and I take A level Politics, History and Economics. This combination perfectly suits and has really helped me further my interest in and awareness of current affairs. I’m hoping to study Law at university, and my subject combination, particularly Politics, has helped me to develop my own interest in international law. I’ll take any excuse to bake in my free time, but I also like to read and play the violin. In my new role, I am hoping to develop the positive and inclusive nature of our school community with initiatives to help everyone feel appreciated such as the Sixth Form Kindness Station. 

My name is Amy and my A-level subjects are Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Textiles. I’m particularly interested in quantum physics, and spend quite a bit of my free time reading about the absurdities of our world at such a small-scale, whilst also enjoying having a creative outlet in designing and making clothes for all occasions. I have a diverse range of interests – from climbing to singing to debating – and my aim this year is to support the Head Girl team in cultivating an environment that encourages students to explore a multitude of interests, both in the classroom and out, and to help each individual build a sense of identity during their time at the school. 

As a whole group, we really hope to encourage a holistic approach to education through promoting enrichment and providing support throughout the school. Some of our main ideas include: working with alumnae to integrate their ‘real-world’ experiences into school life, promoting clubs and activities to allow students to diversify themselves and running ‘next step sessions’ of key skills needed to enter the next stage of their academic careers. We would love to do this with the support of the whole Abbey community. We are always open to suggestions and encourage everyone to email us if you have anything to share!