Devonport High School for Girls

I look back to my time at DHSG with very fond memories. Thinking about what I most enjoyed about my time at school, I feel obliged to mention the wide range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities offered to me: more than any other, the trip that stands out most in terms of its long-lasting impact is the Italian Exchange in 2010-11. I look back to my time at DHSG with very fond memories. Thinking about what I most enjoyed about my time at school, I feel obliged to mention the wide range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities offered to me: more than any other, the trip that stands out most in terms of its long-lasting impact is the Italian Exchange in 2010-11. Not only was it the first time that I spent a significant amount of time in an unfamiliar setting, it also sparked a love affair with Italian culture which ultimately led me to decide upon studying modern languages at university and to choose Italy as my future home! I also have to mention the afternoon that I spent at Mount Batten Watersports Centre in Year 8 as part of a Gifted&Talented trip: following my first experience of rowing on the river Plym, I took up the sport in Year 9 and still continue rowing to this day! DHSG excels with regards to its ability to encourage its pupils to reach their full potential. As well as being able to challenge myself physically through taking part in various expeditions as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the academic lessons themselves were almost always highly stimulating and interesting. So many of my teachers were motivating and inspiring. Moving into the Sixth Form, I particularly relished being able to discuss and explore certain topics in more detail; right from the beginning of my school career, this attention to intellectual curiosity and inquisitiveness no doubt helped me achieve my goal of studying languages at a world-renowned institution. Being in an all-girls environment certainly helped me to gain in confidence and self-assurance. I was quite shy and reserved going into Year 7, but by the time Year 13 rolled around seven years later, I felt much more comfortable in my own skin and in my own ability. DHSG is very good at helping its pupils discover their own individual passions and interests: the Gifted&Talented programme is especially good at nourishing this thirst for knowledge. Although I never had a large network of friends and acquaintances, I still remain in contact with my closest friends and we still meet up occasionally, although this is becoming more difficult now that we are rarely in Plymouth at the same time! Following DHSG, I embarked straightaway on a 4-year degree in ‘Modern and Medieval Languages’ from the University of Cambridge as a member of Girton College. During my first two years, I took a range of courses in French, Italian and Catalan language and literature before deciding to spend one year on Erasmus placement at the ‘Università di Pavia’ in Northern Italy as part of the degree’s integrated ‘Year Abroad’. For the last year of my studies, I chose to specialise in Italian language and literature, with dissertations on translation criticism and Italian Resistance literature. Having dabbled in private English tuition while living in Italy, I am currently waiting to start work as a fully-fledged English-language teacher in a small town in rural Piedmont. My ultimate career goal is to work full-time as a translator (from Italian into English).

I moved to the DHSG from an independent mixed school when I was 13. When I moved I met many fearless girls with completely different backgrounds and opinions. I learnt tremendous amounts from them and all the teachers. It shaped me into a far more open-minded and calmer person than I once was. This has been a very important characteristic in university and helped me adjust almost immediately. One of the things I liked most about DHSG was the freedom I experienced to express myself. As a young teenage girl life can be rough, but when you are sounded by people who are going through the same thing, you have a great support system. The school teachers and staff wanted nothing more for me than to succeed to my full potential. When you go into the main building this can be felt by the positive vibes around the school. I made lots of friends whilst I was there. We all stayed in touch and I love to see how we are all doing so well since we left school in summer 2017. I usually see them all when I come back home from university. I know many of them will be lifelong friends. One of my happiest memories is when in summer loads of the girls would sit on the field at break time. I loved seeing all the younger years so happy when I was in sixth form it made me pleased every time. Even in the last two years of my education when my family was going through many challenging issues, DHSG was the beacon of light in my darkness. If I didn’t have those people taking care of me, I wouldn’t have reached my goals. After I left DHSG I went to pursue my dream of studying medicine. I have now competed first year at Sofia Medical School in Bulgaria and will be looking forward to second year and everything that it brings.