WE PUNCHED ABOVE OUR WEIGHT SOPHIE DE LA HUNT

WE PUNCHED ABOVE OUR WEIGHT

BY SOPHIE DE LA HUNT (04-06)

In the end, my decision to ‘cross the road’ to RGS for Sixth Form was a straightforward one, despite having been very happy at Central High. Academically, the RGS economics department was outstanding and further maths was a normal(-ish) subject choice, and I was keen for a culture change both in and out of the classroom.

RGS certainly didn’t disappoint in either regard. Intellectually the school challenged and inspired me in new ways. I found others with an even more nerdy interest in numbers than I (who armed me with a rarely required set of maths jokes) and I found my niche in economics where we were taught to read and think far beyond the requirements of the syllabus. The annual economics trip to London and the opportunity to represent the school in the Bank of England’s interest rate challenge were two particular highlights.

Culturally, RGS provided a refreshing change. It still had a strong ‘Boys’ School’ culture and I loved it. Teachers were straight-talking and well respected, but at the same time supported open and entertaining class banter. This was epitomized during one economics class, made up of all boys besides me, when another economics teacher—many of you will be able to guess who—walked into the room and pointed at me and publicly asked ‘What’s the girl like?’. It turned out I was let off lightly versus some of my classmates who had their haircuts, tie choices and performance critiqued!

While girls were still very much a minority, we punched above our weight. Selection bias meant RGS girls were far from shrinking violets and frankly I think our arrival caused more of a culture shock to the school than to us. Most teachers and students were delighted to welcome girls, but there was an understandable hesitancy about how we might change the fabric and ethos of the school. I hope any change has been minimal and positive. Besides social adjustments, we caused some more tangible challenges, such as how exactly to translate the Sixth Form dress code for girls, and how to preserve the poor wooden floors in the main hall when hit by an army of stiletto shoes.

There was a strong camaraderie between the girls and friendships formed quickly and easily. Despite our small number, we put together some decent sports teams— the netball team held its own against local schools and we were very proud of ourselves for ‘only’ losing 1-0 to Central High’s hockey team. Girls’ House Sports competitions were a good laugh given nearly every girl, including some of the female teachers, needed to join in to be able to field four teams. House volleyball was especially ambitious and entertaining, with few of us having ever played before and very limited collective knowledge of the rules. The boys who came to watch were not impressed.

RGS inspired me to go on to study economics at LSE, and from there start a career in strategy with McKinsey. RGS helped me understand that I liked analytics, interesting problems and change, which have been my only constants since leaving the school. I moved to the United States nearly six years ago after meeting my husband, David, a U.S. Special Operations Army Officer. His job has taken us to four states and we have just welcomed our fourth child into the world. I am now working for a U.S. healthcare consultancy firm where I am fortunate to be able to work part time and remotely to accommodate our family.