Meet Maddie, former Sixth Form pupil and 2021-2022 Head Girl at BCS. She has been a pupil at BCS since Year 3 – when she joined the school nervous and quiet. Here she tells us how she overcame her shyness to become Head Girl.
Q: Tell us your story. I know when you joined BCS Prep you were really shy, so what was the reason you joined BCS?
A: I was fine up until I went to school, chatty like I am now. I then joined Court Hill School and went quiet, cried all the time when going to school and just didn’t like it. I’m not very good with change in general, so in big classes I just disappeared and faded away into the background. My mum understood something wasn’t quite right when i went to school, i wasn't my usual chatty self, so she put me in BCS Prep in Year 3, and still even then I struggled with the change. I really tried but I was just scared.
Q: What was that made you feel so far out of your comfort zone?
A: Change I feel is out of my control like moving to a new school with new people, being taught things that I didn’t understand. It's the teacher-student relationship that brought out my confidence because they notice you and get to know you personally, whereas at my old school I was just a number sat in generic lessons. Miss Lea would always make lessons fun and interactive for each and every student, which especially brought out my confidence.You could tell the teachers wanted to help you, so I was no longer scared to ask questions.
Q: You’re Head Girl at the BCS Senior School now – but were you also Head Girl at Prep? Was there an application process?
A: Yes, I was! I helped the current Deputy Head Girl with her application presentation, adding quotes and giving tips as well. I remember in the application for Head Girl at Prep I had to make a speech in front of all my year group, friends and teachers. I spent hours writing and practising, I was so nervous. It was different in the Senior application, there were stages. I had to write a letter, make a presentation and i had to make sure I stood out. For the letter and presentation many people sent an email and made a powerpoint, I however wanted to be unique so I hand wrote and delivered my letter to make it personal. For my presentation i didn't do a powerpoint, i made a video on 'what makes Maddie, Maddie?'. This involved everyone; my teachers, family, friends, work colleagues... and it worked.
Q: What do you love about being Head Girl?
A: I have loved every part of being Head Girl at both Prep and Senior school. The planning/running of events, public speaking and marketing have to be the highlights! BCS has given me so much confidence by inspiring me to take on challenges and grow, i now think nothing of making a speech or doing a presentation.
Q: To go from someone who was so shy to someone who enjoys public speaking, have you just taken that in your stride?
A: Roles like House Captain in Year 5 were my first steps to building confidence. When I was Head Girl in Prep, I had quite a few parts in musicals which involved speaking so I was put out of my comfort zone. Mrs Poole and Mr Smith were very encouraging for me to volunteer for slightly bigger parts, instead of just dancing. Then I got Head Girl where I would speak in front of all the students and parents which was so nerve-wracking. It was even scarier doing it virtually over the last year, because you couldn’t see everyone, but they can see you. I remember absolutely shaking but I would go through it and by the second or third time, I would just get there and do it. I learnt that i could turn my nerves into a positive and use them to get on stage and give a speech with confidence and have the adrenaline to get through it and actually enjoy it. Giving speeches is now my second nature, I love it, just as much as I love talking which I will never stop doing!
Q: So, do you feel like this school has nurtured you and helped you play to your strengths?
A: Yes definitely, BCS helped me find my voice and confidence. I went to an all girls private school in the area for one year in Year 7 which was completely different. You don’t put your hand up or speak unless spoken to, so regimented and strict. Whereas here you build relationships with teachers, who go above and beyond to help and get to know you personally.
Q: What are you doing next?
A: At first I was very unsure, I was going to take a gap year to figure out and find something I enjoy. As Head Girl I spent a lot of time working with marketing for BCS, and near the end of term I was offered work experience within the department. I loved every minute, to the point where I decided this is what I want to study at Uni. Thankfully, the BCS Sixth Form team helped me apply to Uni months ago so I could keep my options open and apply through clearing. My teachers have been amazing, Ms Cunningham is the best, without her there is no way I would have come out with the results i did, she and all my teachers really do go the extra mile if you need them. I now have a focus and I have found something I love doing. I have a job within the marketing department at BCS and I am going to Bournemouth University to study Marketing.
Q: If you could sum up your time at BCS in a couple of sentences, what would you say?
A: One word, extraordinary. I’ve just loved every minute; I’ll be so sad when I leave. I’ve tried other schools and they’re just not the same, this school has the balance of academics and sports with such caring teachers.
I have made memories and friendships for a lifetime. BCS has given me so many opportunities to try new things and has truly set me up in the best way possible for my future.
