recent alumnae
Some recent leavers reflect on their time at City.
“Leaving City was, at the time, a daunting leap into adulthood. I was leaving somewhere where I had felt that I truly belonged and which had hugely benefited me. However, currently studying mathematics at the University of Edinburgh, I realise that the lessons I have learnt from City are not ones that I will forget because I’m now learning over 400 miles away. I have found that university education focuses on self-discipline and independence, and my experiences at City encourage me to be so: to read around a topic or to attempt the harder questions. Furthermore, my enjoyment of the extra-curricular activities offered by City has also driven me to join a few societies and to try things I’d never done before. Highland Reeling is one example, which was an incredibly fun activity (and one that caused many sore muscles). CLSG will be a significant part of my life, and will help me both academically and non-academically. I look forward to the challenges I face as an ex-City Girl.” Mary - leaver 2010 – studying Mathematics at University of Edinburgh (2011)
“City Sixth Form prepares you for University and the world of working by giving you a firsthand experience of it. Lessons are interactive and girls are given space to expand on their knowledge of the subject through discussions in lessons. Learning is exciting and subjects are brought to life as discussions from lessons are often debated on further outside the classroom. As well as whetting our appetite about the subjects and teaching us, our teachers intervened to channel our thoughts and ensured our opinions or new findings were sound. I am currently at the University of Liverpool studying Biological and Medical Sciences and found I could cope well with independent learning as it became second nature for me to expand on what I had been taught. Other than a relaxing atmosphere for learning, City Sixth Form gave me the opportunity to role play the working world through various roles of responsibility and using initiative to introduce needed societies. I felt the true beauty of City’s Sixth Form emerged through societies as it reinforced that the sixth form was part of the rest of the school and it gave us the chance to integrate and become better acquainted with the rest of the school. I’m so grateful to City for all the lessons learnt as I’m sure they will so many doors for me in the future.” Victoria - leaver 2010 – studying Biological and Medical Sciences at University of Liverpool (2011)
“Having left City in 2009, I spent time studying Jewish texts and philosophy in a full-time programme in Israel before starting at Cambridge University in October 2010 where I study Law. Essentially, City provided me with a strong sense of ambition. Both the teachers and students created an environment in which I loved the subjects that I studied and always felt driven to focus and thoroughly understand the material being taught. This desire to learn has stuck with me throughout my gap year and university and will certainly help me beyond that. The close community in which we were all encouraged to take on leadership roles helped me develop many skills as well as make lifelong friends. I also benefited significantly from the extracurricular opportunities that City offered and the wide range of speakers that the school exposed us to. I recognise how well these speakers, together with the careers advice that we received, instilled in us the feeling that we could go on to do anything after City.” Miriam – leaver 2009 – reading Law at Cambridge University (2010)
“I left City in 2009 to study Medicine at Imperial College. City encourages you to make the most of every minute of your time there but at the same time the support of the staff and your form tutor makes you feel like it’s a safe environment to stretch yourself. The teachers are so dedicated and are always willing to give up their own time to help. The school’s experience with the university application process means their advice is invaluable. Now I have no problems giving presentations to my group for the Problem Based Learning aspect of my course because this is something I’ve done many times at A Level and if I need clarification on a topic I’m not afraid to ask a lecturer. I have so many good memories - from helping with energetic House Drama productions to playing the triangle in a ‘Beginner’s Band’! University life can seem like being a little fish in a big pond but City has given me the confidence in myself and my abilities to throw myself into it.” Maria – leaver 2009- studying Medicine at Imperial College London (2010)
“I spent eleven of the most important years of life at City, and left with a fantastic, loyal group of friends, a place at University and some amazing memories. The spirit of the school during House sport, drama and music competitions is like nothing else; something which is made more intense by the closeness of City as a school and a community in general. The work ethic which was instilled in me at City (one of working hard and being rewarded for it) gave me a useful base for university. The level of teaching and importance placed on achieving everything you are capable of set me up for the competitive and demanding course which I am now studying. City put me in good stead for working hard and being confident in my abilities, but its geographical situation, and the fact that the girls come from all over London, allowed me to make the most of London as well.” Edie – leaver 2008 – Reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University (2009)
“Learning under teachers who are passionate and experts in their subjects is the core of my experience at City. We explored and discussed the subjects in depth instead of being made to feel like we were simply learning something for the sake of passing an exam. The teachers also went beyond their call of duty and provided support on academic and personal matters. It was a really stimulating environment to be in and we were given the opportunity to excel; during sixth form in particular we were given the chance to participate in a wide range of clubs and societies as well as encouraged to set up new activities. All this put together gave me the confidence to believe that I could do anything I put my mind to, something which has helped me make the most of my gap year and will undoubtedly be of use as I join University." Purany – leaver 2009 – taking a gap year before studying Medicine at Durham University (2010)
“I left City in 2009 with a drive and motivation to see the world and discover new things, which I believe only my two years at City could have given me. The broad range of activities City has to offer, the high standard of teaching and the brilliant people I met have hugely contributed to my experiences beyond school. I took a gap year which I spent as an au pair in Milan while learning Italian. I also spent time in East Africa where I was teaching and working on other charitable projects. The opportunities to meet people and learn about things at City have allowed me to do fascinating charity work since and equipped me with the background knowledge (like learning about international development and historical forces) to get the most out of my year abroad and hopefully my future. I would encourage anybody who wants to apply to go for it; I came from a town outside London and knew nobody at all when I started but I made friends very quickly. ” Nyasha – Leaver 2008 – took a gap year before reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University (2009)
