KNOX Academy’s new head pupils have been tipped to succeed during a challenging year.
Rachel Broadley and Julia Dale, who both live in Haddington, took on the senior roles earlier this year, with the school going through a series of changes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite those changes, Sue Cook, headteacher at the Haddington secondary school, has tipped the two S6 pupils to do well in the role.
She said: “Whilst being head pupils may seem challenging in the current Covid-19 climate, Rachel and Julia are already exploring creative ways to take their ideas forward.
“So far they have led a whole school assembly on our achievement ties and also held a senior phase consultation on prelims.
“Along with the pupil leadership team, they are currently planning an assembly on Black Lives Matter, which they hope to share with other East Lothian schools.
“I am really enjoying working with them and the extended pupil leadership team, who are very proactive, and I know they will make their mark in their leadership of various initiatives this year.”
The traditional process of finding new head pupils was affected by the global pandemic. Interested pupils produced their own manifesto, which was uploaded to the school website.
Each pupil also had to make a short campaign video, before an interview with teachers, a current pupil and last year’s head pupils.
Finally, it came down to a vote.
Both pupils told the Courier they were keen on taking on leadership roles.
Julia, 17, who is studying Advanced Higher art, biology and chemistry, said: “I think always through primary school and infant school I was up for leadership roles.
“I was class rep and did anything I could to get involved with the school.
“It is something that I have always wanted to do.”
Rachel was keen to offer support to pupils with problems and particularly exams.
The 17-year-old, who is studying Advanced Higher English and modern studies, as well as Higher history and geography, said: “I want to support pupils through their course choices and generally more information on what is in the course.”
Ms Cook wished both Julia and Rachel luck, working alongside Thomas Guy, Hugo Elder and Duncan Riley as depute head pupils.
She said: “From the outset of the campaign process, both Rachel and Julia displayed a quiet calm and confidence, exhibiting the kind of positive approach essential for the role of head pupil.
“Rachel, throughout her campaign and interview process, displayed a compassionate determination where she put community firmly at the centre of her thinking.
“Rachel is keen to support our focus on ensuring positive relationships across the school and to hold a conference, run by S6s, for all S4 pupils, to support them in their senior phase.
“Julia, again, was a standout candidate with an unwavering focus on fostering kindness and promoting equity at Knox Academy.
“She is keen to use our ‘new normal’ virtual environment to make YouTube videos to support pupils in a variety of ways, such as P7 transition through to preparing for exams.”
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