Young Observer is celebrating the class of 2018. Each week we feature a different senior school and their graduating class. This week, we salute Bermuda High School. We learn about their Round Square experiences; other overseas opportunities; their future plans and get up close and personal with their Head students.

Q&A WITH HEAD STUDENTS

What’s the best, and hardest part of being head student?

Brianna Correia: The best part is being able to meet so many students that I haven’t had the chance to before, to hear their ideas and try to make changes. It’s great to get a new perspective on the school from others’ eyes.

The most challenging part is trying to balance all my responsibilities.

Sion Symonds: The best part is, by far, the support given to us by staff and students. To have so many members of our school community believe in us, and what we hope to do for the school, is a profoundly humbling feeling.

The hardest part has been juggling all my commitments while maintaining the confidence and assurance in my capability to handle the responsibilities of being Head Student.

What have you learnt about yourself in this role?

Brianna: I’ve learnt that even though it may be stressful sometimes, if I really am dedicated and diligent with my work, no task is too overbearing.

I’ve learnt how to manage my time more efficiently, and proven to myself that I am capable of what I set my mind to, and that I am the only one holding myself back.

Sion: This role had taught me that I have a lot to learn! Not only in being a leader, but in maintaining a positive attitude despite challenges, and how to manage my time and energy.

What has been the most rewarding thing about being Head Student?

Brianna: I think seeing the changes that I’ve helped to make around BHS has been the most rewarding. From the little things, like the addition of the suggestions box, to the bigger things like reworking Round Square Day.

Sion: The most rewarding thing about being head student is the support I get from the student body. Having a solid support system at school is the greatest encouragement for me to continue to strive for greater things.

What is your favourite place on campus?

Brianna: The amphitheatre. I have so many memories of spending time there with friends from primary all the way up through secondary school.

Sion: I love the Queen Elizabeth Hall or the school field. These places are where we get to see the entire student community together. The unity felt while seeing the whole school together has to be my favourite sentiment, regardless of location.

Future plans?

Brianna: I am planning to major in cell and molecular biology, and minor in chemistry in an undergraduate programme in the US. Following that, I would like to pursue medicine, but am open to wherever my interests may take me.

Sion: In my immediate future, I plan to study human rights law in the UK after completing an undergraduate degree at a Canadian university.

ROUND SQUARE EXPERIENCES

Milun Dunlop

Thailand Trip

This was an amazing and fulfilling experience that allowed me to give back to a local community. I assisted the villagers with building a well to provide them with water during the hot months.

As a team leader, I was able to enhance my leadership skills and also learn about construction. Working closely with the villagers and learning about their culture gave me a new outlook on life, and the friendships that were formed will be with me for ever.

Camryn Swan

South Africa

I’m so grateful that I was able to take advantage of this opportunity. I made so many new friends from all over the world and my eyes have really been opened to global issues and different perspectives that we aren’t always exposed to here in Bermuda.

CAS

Creativity, activity, service is an important counterbalance to the academic pressures of the IB Diploma programme at BHS.

It enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development by learning through experience, and provides opportunities for self-determination and collaboration with others.

Karleigh George

ecoRUNWAY

IB2 students Karleigh George, Freyja Kermode, Calais Darrell, Emily Watson, India Desilva, Sophie Clare, Ashley Ellis and Jenna Stewart took on the organisation of ecoRUNWAY as their CAS project, managing the whole process from beginning to end.

“There was so much to consider for a show like this, and it taught me that time management is key, but, most importantly, that teamwork is vital.”

Julia Cox

Lorax Mural / CAS Project

Over the course of a few months, IB2 students Julia Cox, Hannah Jones, Zoe O’Connor and Andrea Wilson decided to paint a mural in a hallway in the main building of BHS.

They chose a scene from Dr Seuss’s The Lorax to promote awareness of the environment.

Julia Cox noted: “The requirements of completing a CAS project encouraged us as a group to create something that we would not have ordinarily. I am very proud that we have turned another part of BHS into a work of art, and hope that it will inspire students, as well as teachers, to continue to protect and care for our environment.”

Messiah Greaves

Northlands mentoring

Last year, members of the class of 2018 mentored younger students at Northands Primary every Friday afternoon.

They helped them with homework and played with them on the field. It left a lasting impact on everyone. “You don’t realise the impact you’re having until you see them in town and they are so excited to see you — they count on you.”

Mollie O’Donnell

Baking Club

Every week, IB2 student Mollie O’Donnell runs a baking club with Year 6 students. They bake muffins, which they then donate to The Eliza Doolittle society to hand out to those in need.

Mollie came up with the idea for the baking club because she wanted to give back to the community.

She is a wonderful example of leadership in action to the younger students.

OTHER OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES

Tré-Anthony Outerbridge and Sion Symonds attend The Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the People of Colour Conference in California.

At the end of November 2017, IB2 students Tré-Anthony Outerbridge and Sion Symonds joined IB1 students Sacred Basden and Thélise Dyer who attended The Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the People of Colour.

The experience profoundly impacted all who attended. Tré-Anthony Outerbridge said: “This conference changed my outlook on the world. The experience of being surrounded by culturally diverse people was life-changing, and it has made me more culturally aware and open-minded to the different possibilities in life.”

Head student Sion Symonds, was similarly affected. “This trip helped me recognise my privileges from a societal and personal standpoint, as well as challenges I face as a part of my identity.

This trip has reinvigorated my desire to study human rights law and make changes in my community to stop injustice and the institutional oppression of people.”

Annika Kuruvilla attends UNIS New York/MUN

The conference was an amazing opportunity to interact with students from around the world and listen to speakers talk on the subject of migration in the renowned United Nation’s general assembly hall in New York City, where world leaders such as Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela have spoken.

FAVOURITE QUOTES

Jacqueline Costello

Why worry? If you’ve done the best you can, worrying won’t make it any better Walt Disney

India DeSilva

It’s impossible to live without failing at something J.K. Rowling

Keiasa DeSilva

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think

Winnie the Pooh

Isabella Grabham

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations

Author unknown

Hannah Jones

Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought

John F Kennedy

Freya Kermode I will not fear my future. I will not regret my past. I will cherish this moment

Author unknown

Talae Quin

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me

Ayn Rand

Nadia Williams

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory

Dr Seuss

FUTURE PLANS

Nyree Burgess Attend university in the UK and become an paediatric nurse

Sophie Clare Brackstone Study biology

Karina Frith Major in business in Canada and become a successful businesswoman

Messiah Greaves Be a successful independent woman and a lawyer

Samaiya Ming Obtain my MBA and become a CFO

Jarisi Minors Gain a performing arts degree in dance and acting in the US

Shiloh Roberts Excel in the field of dentistry

Mayah Ballentine Become an optometrist

Undrea Fraser Become a surgeon

Max Johnson Study journalism

Bailey Martin Study business in Canada

Andrea Wilson Work on animated TV shows

Sadia Wilson Become a dental surgeon

Jenna Stewart Study business and psychology at university

Ashley Ellis Travel the world

Chelsea Carriero Work at Sony Interactive Entertainment in the HR department

Malia Bell Study occupational therapy in Britain