Miracle

I came close to joining Christ’s Hospital in Second Form (Year 7). A friend had been to the school and her family raved about it, so I filled in the application form and was offered a place. However, I had a change of heart and told my mum I wasn’t ready for boarding school.

I didn’t particularly enjoy my time at school in south-east London, although I’m grateful to have had a state school experience. It taught me a lot about people and helped me to develop a thick skin. But CH was always in the back of my mind and when it came to A levels, I was ready for change. Joining CH at an older age has been interesting, as I was able to maintain my values and find my own crowd. I’m quite extroverted, so making friends wasn’t a problem, although it helped that people were very welcoming of all of us coming in as Deps (Year 12s).

As a Grecian (Year 13), I was a monitor (prefect) and one of my responsibilities was mentoring the Deps (Year 12s), giving them the same support I had received. I’m also chapel monitor – which involves talking to the chaplains and ensuring that all people in the school community can comfortably express their faith – and senior sacristan, which involves taking care of vestments in the Chapel and guiding junior sacristans. The Chapel is special to me. It is a place of calmness, where you can relax and refresh your mind.

The various school choirs provided me with a wide range of singing opportunities. I loved singing in Chapel as the sound is amazing, while the gospel choir performs more contemporary music. The gospel choir meets once a week, although we rehearse a few days each week before an important performance. One of my personal highlights was a concert held to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the ship, Empire Windrush. The gospel and chapel choirs performed Caribbean Medley by Donnie McClurkin, during a special service attended by the Right Reverend Leon Golding, Bishop of Montego Bay in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

One thing I will really miss is the school grounds. It’s such a beautiful place and you often see people just walking around, taking it in. I have appreciated the facilities at Bluecoat Sports Centre too. You can work out in the gym, swim in the pool or relax in the sauna. There are certain times when pupils can use the sports centre and I would always try and take advantage of this, especially the sauna on Thursdays!

Miracle is studying computer science at the University of Exeter.