We are delighted to have been selected as this year’s Head Girl Team, and we are incredibly excited to share our love and ambition for TWGGS with the wider school community. This year, we hope to further cement the school’s key 3Cs values of Community, Character and Challenge. In this overview we hope to give you an insight into how we feel that these core values present themselves at TWGGS, both inside and outside the classroom.
One aspect of school life we feel is particularly important to everyone is the sense of community that has developed at TWGGS. The interactions between pupils and teachers are of great importance, and the relationships within the student body are one of a kind, with a wide network of returning alumni. Teachers at TWGGS are personally invested in students’ academic and personal success, which further contributes to a positive learning environment. Another way in which we strengthen the sense of community are our forums and projects to improve our inclusivity as a school. This ranges from the Gender Sexuality Alliance, linked to our annual TWGGS Pride Day, to the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Society, whose activities include EDI education day, workshops and educational assemblies. As well as this, the Legacy Project, which we run in partnership with Skinners, provides a unique opportunity to discuss issues surrounding sexism in a safe environment to address concerning patterns of behaviour both in educational settings at the wider world, including universities and the workplace.
TWGGS has a hugely positive track record in terms of academic success, represented by consistently impressive A level and GCSE achievements, and although the school has far more to offer than academic support, students are pushed to achieve their best and challenge themselves. At TWGGS, we feel that curiosity is encouraged and students frequently fulfill their academic potential, which comes down to the encouragement of teaching staff and the wide range of additional support offered should students feel they are falling behind. This includes the pairing of students who are not fully understanding lessons with a Lower Sixth mentor, allowing them a space to ask questions and develop their understanding of a topic. Academic support is available throughout TWGGS, whether it be teachers who are passionate about their subject and willing to give up their time to help, or lunchtime clubs like Spanish/French/German speaking clubs to enhance pupils’ ability to communicate in their language(s) subject.
At TWGGS, we pride ourselves in a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, and we guarantee that there will be something for everyone, as contributing to the school in ways aside from academic achievements is an integral part of both the school community and pupils’ personal development. Our sports department offers a multitude of options, from netball and hockey, to volleyball and skiing, which run at lunchtimes and after school sessions. Inter-form competitions and regular fixtures against other schools are an amazing opportunity to meet new friends outside of the classroom. However, if sport is not for you, our drama department runs annual musical/theatre productions, which involve not only acting parts, but also roles in lighting, set, sound and makeup. As well as this, our annual Sixth Form Cabaret offers a chance for talented pupils to showcase their talent in this iconic event; this gives students an incredible opportunity to participate in the wider community as well as being a spectacle to watch. TWGGS’ diverse range of clubs offer students the opportunity to develop personal interests and build new friendships, particularly in Year 7 where the new environment can feel daunting at times, with activities like Calm Club ensuring that all pupils have a space to go at lunchtime where they feel included. Furthermore, our Combined Cadet Force, the largest state school all girls contingent in the country, offers the opportunity for participants to learn about valuable skills such as leadership, integrity and teamwork, as well as drill, rifle skills, field craft and first aid. Our CCF represents our school annually in the Tunbridge Wells Remembrance Parade and the War Widows Parade at the Cenotaph.
The various roles of responsibility that pupils at TWGGS can apply for in every year group also contribute to gaining leadership skills and developing their self-confidence. Form Captains are the main representatives of each form group, and are accompanied by other students in specialised roles. The Charity Representatives in each form play a key part in organising creative fundraising events, delivered by the entire form group and supported by the rest of the school. Sports Captains facilitate inter-form sport competitions and sports day, while the School Council Representatives advocate on behalf of their peers, finding ways to improve their experience at TWGGS. In the Sixth Form, Senior Prefects act as role models and leaders in areas across the school: the specific positions are listed below.
The broad range of school trips and activities on offer throughout life at TWGGS create lasting memories. Team building days at the beginning of Year 7 and Lower Sixth allow students to get to know one another, and ease the transition into the academic year. Subject-related trips for Humanities, English, Science, and the Arts, including fieldwork, museums, galleries and subject-talks, foster curiosity and broader engagement with learning. While the year 10 Modern Foreign Language Exchanges develop proficiency in the language, they also allow students to immerse themselves in foreign cultures. Other international trips include the Year 8 Ski Trip, Year 11 Naples trip, and Sixth Form trips to Berlin (A-level History) and Iceland (A-level Geography).
Working as part of the Head Girl Team is a wonderful opportunity, and we are so excited to give back to our school as much as possible.
Saskia (Head Girl), Abby and Elana (Deputies)
Abby S
Elana A-R
Deborah S
Olivia C
Natasha M
Alana D
Sneha B
Evie B
Sofia W
Roselle S
Olivia M
Elise G
Sophie T
Remmy G
Daisy H
Lara Y
Bea W
Beth C
Kitti H
Lily P
Bridget B
Lily M
Demi J
Finley T
Imogen H
Florence D
Emma T
Katie-May P
Evie D
Lucy C
Katie P
Amelia D
Tamara H
Cecilia H
Candela Q
Lily Q-D
Florrie M-H
Heidi S
Olive R
Year 12 pupils with ambitions to represent TWGGS go through an application process to obtain a Senior Prefect role. Following a written application and a teacher-student vote, 32 pupils are allocated a prefect role each year according to their strengths. Around 7-10 are selected to interview for the position of Head Girl: 2 pupils will then be appointed Deputy Head Girl, and one Head Girl.
The Head Girl Team has the unique role of acting as a bridge between staff members and sixth form pupils. As well as representing the school, the Head Girl Team read notices and passages in assemblies, give speeches on open days, assist the headteacher and leadership team in any way required, and most importantly act as role models to younger pupils. They are assisted by the Senior Officers to achieve the smooth and efficient running of the prefect system.
The School Council Prefects help to run the council, which is made up of pupils from all years, and meets monthly to discuss topics of interest to TWGGS girls. This encompasses practical issues, for example recycling and school meals, as well as broader social concerns, such as social media and mental health. We have recently introduced ‘Phone Free Friday’, on pupils are encouraged to participate in clubs and form activities. This year, one of our key aims is to tackle stress and anxiety around the exam season.
Music, art, drama and sport are subject-specific prefect roles available to the most enthusiastic and committed pupils to these departments. Their assistance proves invaluable to the functioning of each department; for example, the music prefects help to run school concerts and extra-curricular chamber groups and choirs, while sports prefects help to lead lunchtime clubs, organise school teams and help to run sports day.
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