PERSONAL STORY

“As teenagers, most of the time we are unsure of ourselves. One often finds oneself in new and unfamiliar territories: can all be overwhelming. Knowing that the world is reeling backwards, unemployment is at a high, discrimination is rearing amongst us, sometimes one just doesn’t know what to do. We ask ourselves questions like what am I doing to contribute to the world around me, what is my purpose?

At St Cyprian’s School, there is no doubt of the vision, “We teach not for school but for life” and this is seen by the strong values we encompass. We are encouraged to disrupt faulty systems, to remold the foundations of not only celebrated.

It’s rare to be a part of a community in which the aim is to understand, challenge and celebrate diversity. Over the years we have learnt that there is an unspoken truth about women and how we navigate throughout the world - and that is that we are revolutionaries. We are able to excel in whatever field we are in. Our presence is able to break barriers and create a space for a fuller existence. St Cyprian’s School has given us, a cohort of remarkable young women, that space to play, thrive and live freely. St Cyprian’s School has expanded our views of ourselves and encouraged the act of listening to people’s stories or views too.

It can be easy to think that being a girl is being told what to do and who not to be and constantly being redefined by a social patriarchy which states that our rights are not something we should advocate for. But what’s even more special at our school is that to be a girl is to be a universe of a sort, and that our womanhood is not defined by our exteriors but by our commitment to each other, and by our identities that overlay it all.

We need to create more environments where the expectation for women is to follow their passions and to know their worth. So, as we go into a new phase of life, we know that our purpose is to “let our own light shine” and by doing that, “we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -

Marianne Williamson