Name: Eva
Home: Swindon
Studies: French, History and Politics
Student Leadership Team role: Culture and Inclusion
Eva is really thriving at Marling and loves the independence of travelling every day on the train to Stroud. Eva is enjoying her studies, has quickly found friends and put herself forward for the role of Culture and Inclusion Lead.
“In my Student Leadership Team position, I’d like to hone in more on diversity, in terms of ethnic and gender. I’d like to continue with the work of my predecessors’, with activities around certain weeks, dedicated to different causes and carry on with the educational side of things”.
Eva already brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, from her work in the community. This year, her focus will be on marking International Women’s Day (IWD) at Marling.
“For this year’s IWD on March 8th, I’m going to be doing a speech in Swindon which came out of an event called SHOUTING softly Swindon. The project is all about female empowerment for young women like me. Out of the project, I wrote an article, which I’ve found out is going to be dramatised and made into a play! I’ll take a few themes and ideas from my article, and get the school on board”.
Eva has already made some strong female allies in her community, including a semi-pro footballer and her local MP Heidi Alexander. Outside of school, Eva was invited to speak at a Violence Against Women conference. She was the youngest contributor there, and in front of hundreds of influential delegates, Eva spoke about what it is like being a young female person.
Eva has also worked for the Youth Commission, alongside Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the police. The work involved bringing data forward collected from youth groups, and helping to change and improve the system and systems.
“Throwing yourself in is the hardest thing, but also the best thing! Being able to learn and take an active role and then putting that knowledge into something you love and enjoy, and meeting new people – it’s the most exciting thing!
Name: Natasha
Home: Thornbury
Studying: Physics, Maths, Art 3D Geology as a breadth subject
SLT position: Student Engagement Officer
Natasha knew as soon as she walked through the doors at Marling Sixth Form, that this is where she wanted to be.
“I was most impressed by Marling’s atmosphere. It’s very focussed academically, and also caring. I liked the idea of going to a school where all the female students are new, which means everybody’s in the same position, and we’re all making new friends for the first time… which I have!”.
As Student Engagement officer, Natasha is involved with strengthening communication between the lower and upper school.
“I’ve already been involved with student-led tutor time at Marling. This is when we go into the lower school tutor groups and do lots of activities with them. It’s really important we represent the voices and opinions of all the students at student council. I’m hoping to expand on what we’re already doing, and make the student experience even better for everyone. It builds a stronger student community”.
Natasha is a creative, innovative and practical person and brings all of these skills to her role. She also has the energy and enthusiasm to implement change. She’s extremely keen to encourage more girls into STEM subjects. Across the board, there are fewer girls than boys opting to do STEM subjects, but Natasha wants to redress the balance.
“Traditionally, STEM subjects are a male-dominated field. Sadly, women in STEM subjects are often not talked about or celebrated. It’s important that through student-led time, boys in the lower school hear about those women who were fundamental in science and STEM. Companies like Renishaw are really interested in engaging with female students, and we’re very keen to do more with them”.
Outside of school, Natasha is through to the next round of the nationally acclaimed ARTiculation Prize, which is a public speaking competition that promotes the appreciation and discussion of the arts. Natasha’s 10 minute talk focussed on the work of Banksy and his advocacy for the environment. Natasha has volunteered working at a net zero homes event in Cheltenham. She hopes one day, through her own development, she will be able to help the planet.
