Student Voice

National Youth Choir

Despite the National Youth Choir having a prestigious reputation, the audition process was actually quite relaxed. The prep work is learning a song that shows off your voice and doing some sight reading revision. When selecting your song, think about the difficulty and skill level required. You want to really show your skills for this audition. The audition is done on Zoom, and there are two members of the National Youth Choir board that watch you perform. Something I would recommend for online auditions is having a mic, as the sound quality of the computer mics additionally with Zoom doesn’t sound particularly nice, so invest in a mic so your voice can be heard properly. Secondly, don’t angle the camera from the shoulders up, they are looking at your singing posture as well, so set the camera back and have at least your knees up on camera.

Back to the audition: you introduce yourself, and sing your song. Next, they will give you some pointers, and you sing it again with the feedback. Scary bit over, now they move onto sight reading. For those who struggle with sight reading, I do too, but they aren’t looking for you to sing it perfectly, they want to see you give it a go and work it out methodically. Finally they ask you why you want to join the choir. My advice would be to answer honestly, since sincerity will do the persuading for you, then you say goodbye and that is the end of the audition. I got offered a place and I can’t wait to join their training in April.

National Children’s Choir

This was an in-person audition at Dulwich College, or in other words, a very long car ride away. For this you prepare one song that demonstrates your ability and brush up your technical skills. For the song, still think about the skills you can show in the song, but you can choose a more upbeat one compared to the National Youth Choir audition. You bring with you your sheet music and water. You arrive at your designated time, for me it was the crack of dawn, and register in the building. You stay in the waiting rooms for a bit, then the accompanist comes to collect you. The accompanist does give you a warm up but I would highly recommend doing your warm-ups in the car on the journey down. Also if you want to get on your accompanist’s good side, tape your sheet music! Look online for tutorials but trust me it makes you look really professional and is respectful to your accompanist.

You enter the audition room and there is the head of the choir at a table, he is super nice so don’t worry. You perform your song and then move onto the technical bits. There will be a bit of sight reading and some aural, so nothing too challenging. For this, same advice as the National Youth Choir, just give it a go. Then he will ask why you want to join,and again sincerity all the way. He will also ask if you have any questions about the choir. Please, please, please prepare a few questions to ask before you arrive. It is a great opportunity to show that you have researched and are enthusiastic about the choir, and aren’t just there because your singing teacher told you to. Even if you are, just asking a simple question about the residentials the choir does will instantly boost your chances of getting in.

WEMT

This is the audition that is acting focused, so still choose a song that demonstrates your skill but also one where there is opportunity to convey lots of emotion. You will be asked to prepare a song, thankfully no sight reading, to have a full body shot, and a nod to costume. Please don’t go full costume, just put some details in. For instance, wear a trench coat if you are singing On My Own or a yellow scrunchie for Lifeboat. This is a Zoom audition so please have a mic and lots of room as your computer will need to be set far back for a full body shot. You will sing your song and try to pack in as much emotion into it. A common error is that people cram one emotion in. Wrong. Think about the character arc, where that character is, how they are feeling and how that feeling changes throughout the song.

Similarly to the National Youth Choir, they will give you feedback and will be asked to sing it again. I talked to others who auditioned and they said the feedback is sometimes a bit strange, but they are just trying to challenge you and see how well you can take on feedback. Next you have questions about why you want to join. For those who don’t know, WEMT has a large social media presence and that may be how you found out about them, but when asked about why you want to join, do not under any circumstances say it is because you want to be TikTok famous. Do some proper research into what the organisation does and what it is about, so that your answer is as thorough as possible and your questions won’t be bland and surface level.

A few extra tips …

If you haven’t gathered that you need a mic by now, this is me telling you to get a mic. In addition, all three of these auditions are in the same, short space of time, and perfecting three songs is more work than you need to do. Find one song that covers all bases. One, it demonstrates your ability. Two, it is securely in your range, so that any nerves won’t have an effect on your audition. Three, as National Youth Choir needs a more classical song, and WEMT is performance-centred, choose a song that is classical and has lots of emotion; for reference I did I Dreamed A Dream for all three of the auditions. This also allows you to take forward any feedback from the previous audition to the next one, essentially improving your performance from every audition.

Keep hydrated and wake up a few hours before your audition so that your voice can wake up. Do your warm-ups in the car if you are travelling to the audition and don’t forget to smile and be yourself. A quick note for nerves: think of auditions as showing where you are at now. These organisations will improve your abilities so much and you should view the auditions as them seeing what they can work with. Obviously make your audition as good as possible but don’t stress yourself over thinking that it has to be perfect. I hope these tips helped and best of luck for future auditions.

• Lizzie W, Year 13: ‘Definitely [would recommend this trip]! It was really fun and the tours being in German was really good as it forced me to focus and try to understand it, which I think has improved my German listening skills.’
• Sofia S, Year 12: ‘Perfect balance of free time and scheduled activities – would not change anything … the Munich trip is the highlight of my Sixth Form experience so far and I would definitely recommend the trip to younger students for the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and explore a new city at Christmas. Basically felt like a holiday with friends!’

• Amy C, Year 11: ‘I would really recommend this trip. I had loads of fun and the itinerary was amazing.’
• Tolu A, Year 11: ‘[I’d recommend this trip] because it was fun to learn and experience the German culture.’

My seventh year at STAHS has been so fun and important. I’ve loved how much responsibility we’ve been given.

My passion is performing, and I was awarded a main role in my class play. I’ve used my dancing, singing and piano playing in performances and assemblies. I was proud to get a Distinction for my LAMDA exam and to win the Performing Arts Award.

I felt honoured to be made Gym Captain; I really wanted to do something for my school. I’ve developed my leadership skills and enjoyed leading others in warm-ups/stretching, organising equipment, and announcing sport results in assembly. I’ve loved competing and encouraging our squad – we were ecstatic when we came second at IAPS and third at ISGA.

I led the percussion section in orchestra, supporting others with learning rhythms and guiding timing. We were low on members, so I recruited two girls!

When the Good Schools Guide journalist visited, I was nominated to tour her to promote our school.

I’ve also used my voice through song; I sing in Junior Choir, STAHS Singers and Junior Chamber Choir. When we sing together, we harmonise, we are a team, and we are strong.

I have made my voice heard this year by being a Charity Captain and performing in an assembly to encourage the filling of Rotary shoe boxes.

I really enjoyed the feeling of working with the other Charity Captains and the sense of pride when we found out the results, whether it was how many shoe boxes we had filled or how much food we donated to the food bank. This responsibility as Charity Captain has improved my leadership skills as sometimes you do have to try and bring a situation together.

My teamwork skills have developed as I have found it really beneficial to work with a team of like-minded people and to work together to help our local area (and the families where the boxes
were delivered).

I have also made my voice heard as a double bassist and a singer by attending rehearsals and performing in concerts. I have loved singing in STAHS Singers and performing on my double bass, especially in Jazz Band.

I have absolutely loved being a House Captain. One of my best memories was when I found out that I had been selected, and I was so grateful and honoured that out of all the incredible people in Paris I was chosen.

I have loved every moment and every opportunity that I have been afforded as House Captain in STAHS Prep. A personal highlight was speaking in front of prospective parents about my time at STAHS and parading with the older students in the Founders’ Day ceremony.

I love to sing; consequently, I sing in the Chamber Choir at the Senior School, which I love because I get the opportunity to learn from the older girls, as well as singing in STAHS Singers and Junior Choir. We sing such fun, yet challenging, songs and then have two concerts plus the Senior School concerts, where we get to show our parents all of our hard work!

I have loved my time at Prep so I feel both excited and sad to move up to the Senior School!

This academic year has been full of opportunities, learning and fun. I have had some amazing experiences and have really improved my performing and leadership skills. I was pleased to be appointed as a Sports Captain and have enjoyed encouraging and helping out with younger years to improve their sporting skills and find the sport they love. As a Sports Captain, it is my responsibility to share the School’s results and successes in assembly.

This year I was proud to be selected to play in the IAPS netball tournament. We did incredibly well; we got through to the National finals and then won the competition! We were all so proud of ourselves and shared our IAPS journey with the whole school. This was one of my favourite Year 6 moments.

Another amazing opportunity was being in Car Club (aka Engineering Club), a club where we build, design and then race a go-kart. To get into Car Club, we had to write a letter about why we think we would be a good member of the club and what we would learn from this opportunity. I was proud to get in and have enjoyed all the aspects of this club. I was particularly excited to be able to race our car at Goodwood.

As I get ready to leave STAHS Prep, I will always treasure the things I’ve learned and the fun I’ve had whether through sport, academics or just spending time with my friends.

Our experience in Borneo during the summer was incredible! After organising several fundraising events, from movie nights to quizzes, our team left Heathrow with huge backpacks and headed for Malaysia.

Our first destination, the vibrant city of Kota Kinabalu, saw us plan for the rest of the trip, getting to grips with the budget and booking hotels and transportation. Although this was difficult at first, working as a team allowed us to find the best methods for booking, which we benefitted from throughout the trip. After KK, we moved further into the jungle to Sepilok, staying in nature lodges while visiting sun bears and orangutans, and trying a variety of local dishes.

Moving across the island to Tenom, we had the opportunity to work on a farm in return for discounted accommodation and food. This aided the local coffee economy, which had once brought revenue to the area but had recently been neglected. Before leaving Tenom, we visited two coffee farms, learning about local production methods and sampling different types of coffee.

Next came our highly anticipated challenge, climbing Mount Kinabalu. Sitting at 4,095m, we prepared for a two-day hike to the summit. Despite it being the most physically enduring challenge many of us had ever faced, a speaker with some good music and supportive messages helped us complete it. The relief upon descending was unexplainable!

The final part of the trip was spent in a restful rainforest lodge, where we enjoyed activities like Batik painting and river cruises, spotting native wildlife such as pygmy elephants. Finally, we returned to KK and spent our last day on a small tropical island. We are so grateful for this experience and highly recommend it to younger students.

The 10x Challenge is designed to teach young students entrepreneurial skills which they can carry with them throughout their lives. These skills include learning how to make a profit, learning how to run a business and learning how to be a team leader and player.

I was the project manager of the most profitable group, called Sweet Treatz, where we had a total intake of £105 and a profit of £97. Originally, my team had settled on an idea of a pick ‘n’ mix stall, however, after plenty of research and deliberation, we came to the conclusion that this was not the most profitable stall, and that we should switch to a bake sale.

By switching, I was able to buy a larger bulk of stock at a lower price, meaning that we could sell more, therefore we would have a higher intake which would result in a much higher profit margin.

The stall itself was a great test of working under pressure, working efficiently, coming together as a team in stressful moments and making sure that every customer was satisfied with our service.

My team and I really enjoyed the process of this challenge, as it was a fantastic eye-opener into the world of business.

I strongly believe that this challenge is a fantastic way for young people to test themselves, to develop skills that set them up for their future, and to have a tiny taster of a career in business.

These types of projects are very enjoyable and can be really exciting when your entire team pulls together, as a unit, to create something special.

An additional bonus is the incredible opportunity to donate money to those less fortunate than ourselves, which was a personal highlight of mine. I am so proud to be able to donate £97 to the School’s charity for this academic year, Herts Young Homeless. It’s wonderful to know that all my group’s hard work has helped a young person get off the streets and find safety.

Thank you everyone who came and supported this cause at our stall, we could never have done this without all of your donations.

As a younger student, what did you think of the School Officer team?
When I was younger, I thought the team looked very cool with their gowns and I looked up to them (literally)! As I made my way up the school, I started to really think more about what it would feel like if I were to become an Officer. The idea of pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying to see if I would be suited to the role stuck with me and ultimately led me to applying.

What made you decide to put yourself forward?  
I had a strong feeling that becoming an Officer would be something that I really enjoyed and would be good at. I also wanted to improve my personal leadership and teamwork skills, to name a few, so thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to focus on that. I did have some intrusive thoughts before applying as I began to doubt if this was something I could do; however, my sister was super encouraging as she reminded me of all the reasons that I wanted to put myself forward in the first place.

What was the application process like for you?
I found the process to be very well-structured and clear. At each point, from writing my application letter to presenting to Mrs Waite, Miss Eddison and Mrs Monighan, to sharing my manifesto at hustings, I was confident on what I needed to do and how much time I had to do it. It also gave me a chance to really think about how I wanted to present myself and look back on the amazing things I’ve been able to achieve over the years. Getting through each stage of the process was really motivating and I felt very proud that I was eventually considered for the Head of School position.

What was the hustings process like?
The hustings process involved all three candidates preparing a manifesto which was sent to Years 11, 12 and 13. Once this was done, we had to prepare a speech for hustings where we pitched our ideas for the upcoming academic year. After the speeches, students and teachers were given the rest of the school day to decide and vote for who they would like to be the next Head of School. During the run-up to the results being announced, I was definitely nervous however I also felt reassured because I knew that whoever became Head would be fantastic at the role.

What was your year as Deputy Head of School like?
It was amazing! It was so exciting to work with lots of different people and learn so much from them. The role was as I expected and more as I was able to also learn more about myself and what leadership style I have. The autonomy and independence that comes from being Deputy Head, as well as serving within the team as a collective, gave me lots of determination to pursue whatever I desire to. Some of the unexpected bits have included having to jump in the school swimming pool at 7.30am to film a fight scene for Harvest!

What specific responsibilities did you have?
Most of my responsibilities involved public speaking in some form, such as presenting an assembly for World Mental Health Day. One of my first responsibilities was speaking at the annual alumni reunion, where Sophie and I spoke about our experience at STAHS so far and what school is like for us as current students. Other parts of my role included coming up with creative ideas for things like Harvest Assembly, which required lots of collaboration as we also worked very closely with the House Officers.

What was the most challenging aspect of your role?
Learning how to balance my role with my other commitments. A very important skill that I’ve refined has been time management and this has helped me to block out time for the different tasks at hand.

Which bit did you most enjoy?
I really enjoyed the vast opportunities to meet and talk to so many people and learn how to work well within a team. From alumni to parents, engaging with our wider community has been a genuine privilege and I’m proud of the work that I’ve been able to do within my role and the fun that I’ve had along the way. Working closely with Mrs Waite, Miss Eddison and Mrs Monighan has been a real joy and I’m very grateful for all their help and support. Learning about each other’s strengths within the team has been enlightening and helped me to grow as a person too.

What did you learn from the experience?
I’ve learnt that it’s so important to try new things as much as you can and believe that you can do what you set your mind to. Putting yourself out there, as embarrassing or scary as it may feel, is so rewarding and will help to improve your confidence both within and outside academia.

What advice would you give to anyone considering applying to become a School Officer?
My number one piece of advice for anyone considering applying to become an Officer is to be yourself! Take advantage of the fact that your school experience is your own and take pride in having the opportunity to sell yourself as best you can. Also, think carefully about the different ideas you would like to implement into the School. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to see or do, this is the perfect chance to make those dreams a reality. Lastly, have fun with the process no matter where it takes you and remember to enjoy yourself along the way.

How do you think your Deputy Head of School experience will benefit you in the future?
My experience as Deputy Head has been invaluable and, as mentioned, there have been a vast range of things that I’ve learnt along the way. I’m really excited for what the future holds and how I’ll be able to apply the skills I’ve gained in my role to future opportunities. I hope to continue to pursue more leadership positions and work with an even wider range of people from different walks of life.

What have been the highlights of your time at STAHS in general?
Many of the highlights from my time at school have been from House events, such as House Dance, which Julian were able to win this year! Sports Days have also been lots of fun in the sun with friends at the end of the school year. Travelling to New York for the Drama trip was incredible as we were able to visit many places such as the Empire State Building, 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Statue of Liberty. Playing the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier in our
production of Sister Act was a fantastic opportunity to work with such talented cast and crew-mates. The experiences I’ve had over the years have been unforgettable and I’ll truly cherish them.

What advice would you give a new Year 7 who’s just beginning her time at STAHS?
I would encourage a new Year 7 to embrace as much of secondary school life as they can. It may feel daunting and can take some time before you feel settled in, but once you do, you’ll feel comfortable and more confident to try new things. There are always things on offer that you can get stuck into and if you decide you don’t like something, that’s fine too! Utilise the breadth of opportunities that are available to you and always remember to have fun!

What do you plan to do after leaving STAHS?
I’m heading to King’s College London to study Pharmacology. I’m excited to continue fostering my love for learning at university as well as experiencing what life is like as a university student. I then hope to enter the pharmaceutical and healthcare communications industry to begin my career.