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Good afternoon and welcome to the RMS Open Day. My name is Lauren Dixon and I am currently Head Girl here at RMS. I am sure that as a parent trying to choose a school, there are a number of criteria that need to be met in your decisions regarding your daughter’s education. I could easily stand here and rave about the beautiful grounds, stunning architecture and the high academic standards which RMS holds. However as I see it, although such factors are profoundly important in your decisions and I am certain RMS will live up to every expectation, the most significant quality the school has to offer, are the pupils themselves.
Having been at RMS since reception, which feels both a lifetime and no time at all, I have experienced firsthand all aspects of life here. In my fourteen years as a proud RMS pupil, I have witnessed the school and pupils both grow and adapt in tandem, and could not imagine a better place to have spent my education. RMS provides an environment in which any student can thrive, and what I find so remarkable about the school is the sense of belonging one feels the moment they walk through the gates. And the knowledge that every RMS girl will always have a place here, which is almost unique in the education system today.
They say variety is the spice of life and RMS endorses this philosophy in every way possible. Whether you are academically minded, an athlete, a ‘drama queen’ or creatively inspired, RMS will help you to realise your potential and accomplish anything you set your mind to. An extensive range of extra curricular activities enable pupils to both discover and enhance new talents and interests, with clubs ranging from creative writing to astronomy to tae kwon do and even army cadets. Not only do these activities provide pupils with a creative outlet, they both stimulate and subliminally equip them with a broader perspective and noticeable confidence.
One of the key initiatives that has been introduced here in the last few years has been an emphasis on independent study and, as a pupil, I am now reaping the benefits of such an approach to learning. Independent study does not only allow students to research beyond the confines of a textbook, it provides them with crucial life skills and also creates a much more exiting learning environment.
However as I have said RMS is not all about academia; there is a very strong community at the school, in which both teachers and pupils are heavily involved. Our school council, which meets weekly, was established in order to give students a place to express their ideas and opinions on different aspects of RMS life. The theme of community is also carried through into our four school houses, which aim to bring pupils together and motivate different years to interact and get to know one another. We have several house days throughout the year, which involve the whole school, including our newest addition- house gardening- which I am pleased to say my house won. Plus, we have a phenomenal support system of both staff and pupils, such as peer mentors and Big Sisters, who are there to ensure RMS brings its pupils the best experience possible.
RMS never ceases to pull out all the stops in moulding its pupils into self-confident, spirited and happy individuals who can go on to excel in all areas of life. Knowing that I will be leaving the place that taught me to grow into the person I am today and provided me with so many invaluable opportunities is saddening, but I know that RMS has prepared me for any challenge I come across and I have loved every minute at this school.
I would now like to pass over to the rest of the Sixth Form Senior team to talk about their varied experiences of life at RMS. Hopefully we will have given you insight into the school through the eyes of a student and conveyed just how inspirational a place this is. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your day.
Deputy Head Girl
Good afternoon, I’m Sahar McTough and I am Deputy Head Girl. My assigned responsibility is Head of Boarding. I am originally from Kenya and consequently I am a full boarder. Boarding at RMS has helped to develop my independence, self- motivation, and organisational skills. Also, being a boarder here I have been on various exciting trips all around London to places such as Madame Taussauds, The Natural History museum and ice-skating outdoors in Somerset House in winter. The boarding life here is amazing. I have truthfully never found myself to be lonely or homesick in the last 4 years I have been at RMS. It is rare to be ‘bored’ when boarding seeing as we are all one community and we eventually find something to do together to occupy our time. When I first came to RMS in year 9 I was shocked at the warm welcome I received, and at how quickly I was accepted in to the RMS family. Living away from home has enabled me to be more independent and confident whilst faced with new challenges, for example next year I am hoping to study international development at Sussex University. The transition will not be an issue for me because I’m already used to being away from home.
Furthermore it has to be said that the food at RMS is exceptionally good so you won’t be missing home cooked food for too long before you are bombarded with the humungous variety of food available here. RMS likes to accommodate students from all sorts of different cultural backgrounds so once every half term there is a themed dinner, the Chinese New Year is always an exciting event because everyone gets together to celebrate the festival with delicious Chinese food.
One of the best things about boarding in RMS is the accessibility I have to the sports facilities. From a very young age sport was a very common pass time, when I moved to RMS my passion for sport was encouraged further. With a huge variety of sports to choose from, everyone can participate in extracurricular activities doing sport that they enjoy from Fencing to Aqua aerobics.
Our facilities are remarkable with a magnificent sports hall which is often used for numerous sporting activities, the gym is also located in the Sports Hall with fixed plasma televisions to keep us motivated whilst working out.
Our swimming pool is also used frequently by all members of the school, from little girls just learning to swim in reception to our national standard swimmers in the sixth form. Fortunately we have spectacular grounds which are ideal for Hockey pitches, athletic tracks and for the dreaded cross-country!
Deputy Head Girl
Good Afternoon, my name is Sophie, I'm Deputy Head Girl of Charities and I'm the eldest of three here at RMS. I'm also the Performing Arts Scholar in the 6th form, and have studied Drama at GCSE and currently studying Performing Arts at A-Level alongside Geography and Psychology and I plan to read Geography at the University of Southampton. Studying Performing Arts has helped me to realise what amazing opportunities we have here at RMS.
Every other year we put on a school musical which is performed at Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth. It has always gone down as a great success, with West Side Story in 2010 playing to full audiences every night. Our current production Anything Goes, which is undergoing strenuous rehearsal is to be performed in November and there is no doubt that the school musical will live up to its excellent reputation of a professional and enjoyable theatre piece. Every year there are opportunities for girls in the lower years to be involved in productions, with Thesps production of Rebels of Gas Street coming up the week before half term, and The Boyfriend next year.
There are endless opportunities to get yourself involved in Performing Arts, whether your interests lie in dance, music, drama or all three the Performing Arts department and extracurricular activities will feed your theatre interest. Having taken Speech and Drama and singing lessons here , as well as being involved in many school productions such as Macbeth and the Fusion Dance show, I can honestly say that RMS will provide you and your daughters with appropriate and excellent skills that can be taken beyond the school walls.
Year 13 Student
Good afternoon, my name is Emma and I have been at RMS since year seven. My time at RMS has given me many exciting opportunities and experiences that I believe have allowed me to develop as a person and gain in confidence.
Inevitably, one of the main factors influencing your choice of school will always be the academic life and that is what I am going to talk to you about this afternoon. I have found that what makes RMS unique as a school is that whatever your ability and whatever your starting point; you will be encouraged to achieve the most that you possibly can. Personally, I have always been an academic high achiever and as a result the school has always ensured that I have the chance to extend my knowledge and go beyond the curriculum.
At RMS we are inspired and motivated to succeed. We develop the ability to become effective, independent learners. The excellent support and resources at our fingertips when it comes to public examinations ensure that RMS girls enjoy the success that they deserve! When it comes to choosing GCSE or A Level combinations, there is plenty of help and advice to ensure that everyone maximises their potential.
As a result my aspirations are high and I hope to be offered a place at Oxford or Durham University to read Mathematics next year. Currently I am studying A Level Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry but maths has always been my passion. Each year we have a number of candidates applying to Oxford or Cambridge and our Oxbridge co-ordinator, Mr Young, supports us to give us the highest chance of fulfilling our dreams. Additionally, I have been offered extra lessons in preparation for the entrance exam as well as interview practice. As a result of this guidance, over the last few years we have had successful candidates across a range of subjects.
Year 8 Student
I joined RMS, last September, when I came into year 7. At the time, I was really scared and shy and didn’t know what to expect. I only knew 2 other girls in my year but I didn’t know them that well at all. I was so worried about everything. Would I be able to make any friends? How would I find my way round, as the school just seemed enormous! Would I like my lessons and what would the teachers be like?
Well I needn’t have worried – the first day was actually fun! There were lots of new girls just like me, and even the girls who had moved up from Prep, looked a bit worried and lost. So we were all in the same boat.
We were given maps to help us find our way, and my form tutor, Miss Brown, was really lovely and very reassuring.
I did get lost a couple of times but there was always someone to ask for help. I couldn’t believe how friendly everyone was.
The first couple of weeks flew by and in no time at all I had made some really good friends.
I think I settled very quickly because the teachers are so encouraging and they make the lessons varied and interesting. They always use different methods of teaching, so you never get bored.
They encourage you and help you to achieve your best. I didn’t feel I had to compete with the other girls, just do as well as I could.
There are so many different clubs that you can join at RMS. There is something for everyone and I decided to throw myself in and joined quite a few. These were netball, creative writing, art club, senior choir, history society and textiles club and even a national spelling bee. These are a very small example of what’s on offer.
Clubs are another great way to meet new people and make new friends with girls from other years and classes.
Without even realizing it, my confidence grew throughout the year. I feel that I have achieved more in my first year at RMS, than I have in any other year of my life.
This time last year, I could never have stood up here and spoken to all of you, but RMS has helped me to overcome my lack of confidence in just 1 year.
What is more, I have really enjoyed myself and can’t imagine not being here.
It is a very welcoming and friendly school – yes, you work hard, but while working hard, you have fun and it is very rewarding. There is something for everyone here, no matter who you are, or what you are like. We are one big community, like a family and we all support each other. I feel privileged to belong to such a school.
The facilities are fantastic, the opportunities provided are brilliant and the staff are excellent.
RMS does not just focus on the education, but on the person as a whole.
Hopefully today, you will get a taste of what RMS is all about and I really hope you enjoy your visit with us.
Thank you.
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