Vieran

VIERAN, leaving Grecian and Monitor, is going on to read Biomedical Engineering at Sheffield University

I have had an amazing five years here. It’s going to be hard to leave, but I know I am taking a lot with me. At the start, what stood out about Christ’s Hospital was the environment. It seemed nurturing and supportive. Other schools felt more pressured to be the best, but here it is more about being your best, which I really value. Becoming Captain of the squash team in Deps (Year 12) was my first real position of responsibility. It taught me I could manage tasks, lead a team and stay on top of everything else. It gave me the confidence to go for more opportunities, and I have kept that mentality ever since. Now I say yes to every opportunity that comes my way. As a result, I have been House Captain and a Monitor. Those roles have taught me networking and peer management skills and I have learnt to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Young Carers Society and South Asian Society

I am a young carer and so I know home life can get hectic as a result. That is part of the reason I wanted to board. I founded the Young Carers Society as a way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. Even if our numbers have not been huge, the option to come together is important. It’s better to have a space available than not.

I founded the South Asian Society for similar reasons, in that it offers a place to share and explore cultural experiences and challenges. Issues around race or identity can be hard to talk about with people who don’t understand or share your background. These societies create a supportive space where people just get it. I will definitely try to stay in touch with the people I have connected with through these groups.

Public speaking and trying new things

I would never have tried public speaking if I had not come to CH, but I have now given several assemblies. Similarly, in Greater Erasmus (Year 11), I applied for something called the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. I didn’t know much about it, but it sounded interesting and I was successful. That led to work experience with DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson company, at their Leeds facility. I have even been in touch with their Head of Knee Research.

Advice for students just starting at CH

Challenge yourself, even if you are already doing well. And do not be afraid to fail. That is how you grow. If you find schoolwork easy, look for something harder. And take every opportunity you can, even if it seems small. You never know what it could lead to.