AIMING HIGH – AN INSIGHT INTO A RICHMOND SCHOOL END OF TERM TRADITION
On the last Friday of every term, all students at Richmond School attend an ‘Aiming High’ assembly. Five of these assemblies happen throughout the day, each one specific to each year group – 7 to 11. They are led by the Head of Year and Mrs Potter, Headteacher, and serve as an opportunity to celebrate the successes and achievements of students in that particular year group. These range from excellent attendance, high numbers of CREDITs awarded, academic achievements, sporting successes, but also community contributions, fundraising efforts, performing arts highlights and leadership accomplishments. The assemblies also feature performances from a range of that year group’s musicians, dancers and singers.
Every Aiming High assembly also features a keynote speaker, someone who is invited to give a short presentation to the students with an inspirational message focusing on our CREDIT values: Creativity, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Independence and Teamwork. We have had a fantastic range of speakers over the years – usually ex-students and often either members of staff at the school or people who have gone on to do brilliant things elsewhere either locally, or sometimes very much further afield.
Most recently, our keynote speaker was Miss Hamer, our brilliant Careers Adviser who gave an insight into the varied and fascinating career she has experienced since leaving Richmond School as a student, then joining again as a staff member. Mrs Potter gives some more detail:
“We were delighted to welcome Miss Hamer, our Careers Advisor, as the keynote speaker at our recent Aiming High 2 Assemblies. As a former student of the school and sixth form college, Miss Hamer told the students the story of her life to date and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way.
Key pieces of advice were ‘make the most of all opportunities that come your way – you don’t have to know what you want to do in your career now’ and ‘never again in your life will you be surrounded by as many supportive and helpful people as when you are at school – listen carefully to the words of advice of your teachers.’
Miss Hamer’s introduction led on to the usual fantastic celebration of achievements for each year group, interspersed with high quality dance and music performances – a brilliant way to end the term.”
Miss Hamer looks back on the experience:
“I was honoured to be asked to present at this term’s Aiming High assembly. It was such a great opportunity to hear about all the fabulous things our students are doing – in and out of school: a real celebration which it was lovely to be part of.
I really wanted to give the message to our students that the road ahead is very rarely going to be a straight one, and that’s OK. Determination, respect and taking as many opportunities as you can to explore different pathways and careers are so important. It was great to reflect on my own career journey and remember how lucky I am to have ended up working back in Richmond School!”
If you would like to see a copy of the presentation Miss Hamer used in the assembly, go to the link below: