From Ms Gyton

Over the last week, I have had the wonderful opportunity to connect with so many SCEGGS Old Girls and hear about their journeys Beyond the Green Gate.

Last night, we held the Old Girls’ Careers evening when we were joined by more than 50 alumni who volunteered their time to share their words of wisdom with our current students. It was so interesting to hear how distinct and unique their career paths have been since leaving school, even when they have worked in very similar industries or roles. With refreshing frankness, we heard them speak of periods of stability and periods of great change, tales of career pivots and career pauses, AI enthusiasts and AI pessimists, volunteering, internships, changes of profession, changes of city … and many other things too! I personally loved hearing such open and honest reflections in response to some of the questions our current students asked. For example: “Yes, some parts of doing medicine are really hard, but it goes in phases. When I was doing my specialty training, had two very young children at home and was on call 24/7, it was really, really hard! But looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing because that phase allowed me to get where I am now, doing a job I love and feel passionate about and with a work-life balance I really value. So don’t let the hard bits deter you. If that is what you really want to do, then go for it!” This is such great advice for all our current students. Whether in learning, or examinations, or sport, or even repairing friendships … don’t let a fear of some hard parts deter you!

I felt that same honesty, passion and enthusiasm at our Old Girls’ Ascension Day function last week. Thank you to our musicians who helped to make it such a special afternoon. As we talked over lunch, these Old Girls recounted so many tales of their experiences over the 50, 60 or even 70 years since they finished school. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing them reflect on the parts of their long professional journeys, the parts of their education that they still value so highly, what makes friendships stand the tests of time … and some very funny stories (some of which I have promised to keep in the ‘cone of silence’) about the very occasional bit of mischief that may have happened many years before but which still make them giggle today.

I am so grateful that we have a community of Old Girls who are so generous with their time and willing to return to SCEGGS to share their collective wisdom and their amazing life stories with us all.

Holly Gyton
Head of School