Prem Dave

I was involved in my School's Sixth Form Winter Cabaret in December 2024. This was a much anticipated formal, catered, event where both staff and selected Year 13 students were invited to attend and showcase their talents.

It is tradition in my Schools Sixth Form Team to select a group of exceptional Year 11 students to participate in, and support the event.

As a Year 11 student with excellent effort scores, I was offered an exclusive opportunity, to play an important role during the evening. I was expected to wait on staff and student tables, and serve food and drinks to the guests.

• Facilitated monthly committee meetings, took minutes and ensured meeting agenda was followed.
• Took part in organising the four main functions of the year (Navratri, Diwali, Christmas and Holi).
• Updated membership details and helped with sending out fliers to members for important events.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award (Dofe) is a voluntary, program for young people aged 14-24, designed to encourage personal development through completing challenges in four key areas: volunteering, physical activity, developing a skill, and undertaking an expedition, allowing participants to build skills like teamwork, resilience, and leadership while contributing to their community.

I feel as if the Dofe Award has been a crucial part in developing my ability to perceive, to lead, to be independent, and to work as team. The highly enduring nature of the Award also pushed me to think on my feet at times of trouble.

With little adult supervision, it pushed my team and I to come up with creative solutions to our problems, which normally, would have had us rely on our supervisors.

A prefect is a student leader chosen to represent the school by upholding high standards of behavior, acting as a positive role model for other students, assisting teachers with maintaining order, supporting school events, and generally contributing to a positive school environment.

This opportunity has forced me to adopt a sense of responsibility. It has played a part in developing maturity, understanding and being able to use my experience at school (todate) to help other students to overcome their problems.

Auditioned and was selected to play the character of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickins' novella 'A Christmas Carol', in the Year 6 end of school play.

I really enjoyed this opportunity, mainly because it helped me overcome my fear of stage fright. Speaking in front of a large audience was extremely nerve-racking for me, and playing the main character was even worse. I am really grateful for my primary school drama teacher for helping me ease into the roll and help me increase my public speaking ability.