OVER AND OUT AN INTERVIEW WITH SCHOOL CAPTAINS THE

As their tenure as School Captains comes to an end, we asked Maddy , Tom , Phoebe , and Emma to reflect on their time at Emanuel...

What is your earliest memory of Emanuel?

Maddy: My earliest memory was going to the open day when my older brother was applying to come here. I remember being so impressed by all the fun Science experiments and Maths games at the time. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly.

Tom: For me it has to be the Year 7 ‘bonding weekend’ away. This was a great chance for me to get to know both teachers and fellow pupils within my year group. I believe this weekend was key for me to start building strong friendships which I have carried through my time at Emanuel.

Phoebe: I remember getting ready for the first day of school and having my older sister plait my hair for me. When I got to school Mrs Lewis (my Year 6 Form Tutor) made us organise ourselves into alphabetical order outside the classroom as a way to introduce ourselves to everybody.

Emma: I remember being toured around the school during the Induction Day before starting Year 9 and walking next to Arthur — who has since become one of my closest friends — and out of nowhere commenting on how tall the English stairs were! I was slightly too excited about them, I think.

Can you remember who interviewed you before you joined the school and what they asked you?

Maddy: I was interviewed by the Head of Lower School at the time. I don’t remember much of what I was asked other than what I thought about school uniforms! I was also given a form to fill out before about my hobbies and interests, which helped to guide the conversation.

Tom: Mr Lai interviewed me. He was keen to learn about my interests and hobbies. He asked about what I would bring to Emanuel and why it was my school of choice.

Phoebe: I think I was either interviewed by Miss Forest or Miss Windsor. I was asked things like what my dream school would be like, what sort of co-curricular activities I enjoyed, and if there was anything specific that I wanted to be able to do at secondary school.

Emma: I remember that Mr Dunley interviewed me, and a lot of the conversation revolved around what my favourite subjects were and why. He also asked me about my hobbies and if I had a favourite movie or book that I would like to share.

Which co-curricular activities have you most enjoyed?

Maddy: My favourite activity has got to be rowing. I am Captain of Boats at Emanuel and the boathouse has felt like a little family since Year 9. The boathouse welcomes everyone, from those who just want to row for a games session to rowers who train religiously! I am always in a better mood after leaving any training session because of the supportive coaches and fun training.

Tom: I have really enjoyed the co-curricular side to Emanuel. I have played for both senior cricket and rugby teams which has helped me to work in a team.Through playing my trumpet in various music ensembles (including Big Band, Orchestra, and Concert band) and singing in the choir, I have really developed a sense of participating in a group activity to achieve a bigger goal.

Phoebe: I’ve loved being able to row at school, because it’s a sport that I otherwise don’t think I’d have been involved in. As well as really enjoying the sport and the training, I have made lots of friends in different years through rowing.

Emma: The many Drama productions I’ve been involved in. This year I’ve been working on costumes for the musical and junior plays most days, and have enjoyed every second of it.

Which lessons have you enjoyed the most?

Maddy: My favourite lesson is Further Maths. It is a small class and the teachers are all so supportive. It is very rewarding as I tend to struggle at first but can normally get there in the end. I also enjoyed Art, Drama, and Music when I was in Years 7-9. They were lots of fun as it was different to anything I had really done before and pushed me out of my comfort zone.

Tom: I have always enjoyed the interactive lessons which enable students to voice their own opinions. In particular, I have enjoyed debates in both History and Geography.

Phoebe: I really enjoyed DT GCSE, since it was nice to do something so different from my other lessons and I liked working independently on a big project. I also really like Chemistry, particularly organic chemistry and the practicals that we do as part of those lessons.

Emma: My favourite lessons have definitely been my Classical Civilisation lessons. Although the department is growing very quickly, my class consists of only six people, including my closest friends. Everyone has the same (incredibly strange!) sense of humour, and so the lessons are just incredibly fun.

What will you miss most about the school?

Maddy: I will definitely miss the supportive atmosphere. I feel able to go up and talk to any of my teachers about an issue I have such as when I’m struggling with a Maths topic. I will also definitely miss the senior girls rowing squad too!

Tom: I’ll miss the support and friendly nature that Emanuel brings me on a daily basis. I really enjoy being able to learn in the company of friends and from experts in the subject. This has allowed me to develop my knowledge of engaging subjects that will help me to achieve my future ambitions.

Phoebe: I’m really going to miss the sport at school and being able to have a gossip with everyone on a Saturday morning at the boathouse! Being able to train with such a great group of people makes it much more enjoyable and fun to be a part of.

Emma: I will miss the people, from my friends to my teachers to everyone I’ve met along the way through co-curriculars.

I can confidently say that I have found people who I feel at home with, and they’ve just made my experience at the school incredible. I’ll also miss the huge amount of freedom which I’m given here, especially as a creative student, in whatever projects I decide to work on.The school truly — as clichéd as it sounds — makes it feel as if the possibilities are endless.

What has been your most memorable moment at the school?

Maddy: Probably medalling at NATS Regatta last year in a pair. Another memorable moment was when we went on a school trip to The Gambia. It was an amazing experience as I was able to experience a whole new place.

Tom: I really enjoyed the choir tour to Prague in Year 8. It gave me my first sense of independence abroad and was a really fun way to spend time with my friends whilst performing in world-leading venues such as St Vitus Cathedral.

Phoebe: Having my first side-by-side race on the Henley course at Henley Women’s Regatta last year after barely being able to compete for the two years prior because of the pandemic.

Emma: It would definitely have to be a tech crew moment from our School of Rock show. I loved sitting inside the tech box with my friends, Ben and Xav, during rehearsals where we weren’t technically needed, resulting in us just singing the songs at the top of our lungs in complete darkness, plus having a whole bunch of pizza whilst working on setting up tech for our show.

Can you summarise Emanuel in four words?

Maddy: Supportive, fun, creative, welcoming.

Tom: Innovative, inclusive, communal, ambitious.

Phoebe: Friendly atmosphere, fun, involved.

Emma: Passionate, warm, busy, open.

We are grateful to Maddy,Tom, Phoebe, and Emma for their time in conducting this interview, and we wish them the very best for the future endeavours beyond Emanuel.