RGS appoints new student leaders

RIPON Grammar School has announced its new student leaders, selected from an outstanding field of candidates.

It was a welcome verdict for head girl Amélie Chaduc, 17, and head boy Oliver Kitson, 16, both members of the school’s Law Society which has excelled in a recent University of Bradford mock bar trial competition.

They will now lead an impressive team of 13 deputies and aim to build on the strong sense of community at the school.

Aspiring barrister Amélie, a talented pianist from Skipton who joined RGS as a boarding student last year, said: “I want to give back to a school which I have found to be incredibly welcoming and friendly.”

Oliver, from Kirkby Malzeard, who has represented his county in rugby and plans to travel during his gap year before studying history and politics at university, said: “RGS is a place which provides great opportunities and has a caring community. Experiencing this first hand has made me want to help support and preserve what makes it great.”

Former Bolton Abbey organ scholar Amélie, who has played piano for ten years and recently passed her Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music diploma, has enjoyed performing in school productions and during Charity Week.

She also organised a sixth form food bank collection for Ripon Community House last year: “We helped those in our local community who are struggling to pay for food. It was hugely fulfilling and great to see forms get together to collect as much food as possible,” she said.

Studying chemistry, maths and history at A-level and aiming to specialise in human rights and immigration law after university, she added: “I hope to build on the strong sense of community here at RGS. Being head girl is certainly a challenging, but hugely rewarding role.”

Oliver, studying history, politics, English literature and biology at A-level, has enjoyed taking on volunteering and mentoring roles in school and was inspired during a World Challenge expedition to Laos and Thailand last year to travel as much as he can in future.

The North Yorkshire rugby player, who helped the RGS 1st XV win the Yorkshire Cup this year, is also working towards his gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

“Throughout my time at RGS I've always looked up to the school officers. Alongside Amélie, I now hope to lead our amazing team in our aims of strengthening the inter-year community at RGS and leading our Charity Week fundraising,” he said.

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

All the candidates were interviewed for their roles, following a rigorous selection process which included written applications.

They have 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 – Eliza Polito; Head of boys’ boarding – Greg Walsh; Head of Hutton – Kareem Said; Head of De Grey – Holly Maisey; Head of Porteus -Anastasia Bell; Head of School House – Theo Kendrick; Welfare -Nia Peedell; Equalities – Evelyn Semple; New students - Leena Athab; Community – Daniel McClean; Environment -Maddy Cocker; Enrichment – Herbie Ash and Publicity -Meabh O’Cofaigh.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said applications for all school officer positions were of an extremely high standard.

“It’s encouraging that so many students embody the qualities we are looking for, but this means very difficult decisions had to be made.

“Congratulations to those who were selected, they will play a key role as ambassadors for the school as well as giving students a voice and being involved in initiatives which will take RGS forward.”

Head of sixth form Terry Fell added that staff were excited to be working with such an amazing team of students, who are all great role models.