Meet our new student leaders

RIPON Grammar School’s new student leaders aim to build on the strength and character of the school community over the coming year.

Head girl Zara Ali and head boy Monty Bleiker lead an impressive team of thirteen deputies who have all been appointed following a rigorous selection process which included written applications and interviews.

Talented musician Zara, who intends to study philosophy followed by a law conversion course at university, said: “I applied to be head girl because I feel every person should enjoy their school experience as much as I have, and I would like to help that happen.”

Keen astronomer Monty, who aims to study natural sciences and astrophysics at university and is a member of Ripon’s Youth Council, said: “I believe in the strength and character of this school community, and I wanted the opportunity to give back and contribute to its continued growth.”

Zara, 16, a member of the school’s law society team which recently won Bradford University’s Bar Mock Trial competition, added: “We plan to encourage participation in extra-curricular and house activities in order to reinforce the school spirit and look forward to working with the school officer team to put on a really good charity week and make a positive impact on the school.”

A Ripon Cathedral choral scholar and a member of several of the school's choirs and orchestras, she has achieved her diploma and grade 8 in singing, in addition to grade 7 in both piano and oboe, and hopes to continue with her music at university.

Monty, 17, who has represented his school and county in rugby and taken a leading role in drama productions, most recently in The Taming of the Shrew, added that he wants to help make RGS feel welcoming and accessible to students from all backgrounds.

The former Army cadet said: “We want to help ease the various transitions students face throughout their school journey and give younger students the opportunity to form connections with older peers who can support and guide them.”

Zara and Monty’s 13 deputies have all excelled both in and outside the classroom, having immersed themselves in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

They have all been given individual responsibilities and will play an important role in various aspects of school life ranging from boarding, community and environment to enrichment, publicity and student equalities and welfare.

They are:

Head of girls’ boarding – Rumbi Ushewokunze; Head of boys’ boarding – Sandy Barclay; Head of Hutton – Grace O’Connell; Head of De Grey – Nancy Manners; Head of Porteus - Olympia Dunn; Head of Holland – William Keens; Welfare - Evy Reed; Equalities – Oma Ndukwe; New students - Joseph Patton; Community – Sophie Reid; Environment - Callum Gilhooley; Enrichment – Ava Turner and Publicity - Amelia Collingwood-Cooper.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said: “With the honour of the position of school officer comes great responsibility: to uphold the values of the school, to direct and support the prefect team and to represent the views of the student body.

“I would like to congratulate all those students appointed for their achievements.”

Head of sixth form Terry Fell said: “We are excited to be working with such a dynamic team, they are all great role models.”