“I will need flexibility and resilience... I must be able to keep trying when something doesn’t work the way I hoped.” - Cerra Simmons ‘20
everyone’s ideas and listen before I do anything. I also like to delegate a lot as it gives everyone a chance to lead.
TB: What skills do you think you’ll need most to be an effective Head Student? Cerra: Organisation. I have a lot of activities and responsibilities inside and outside of school, so it will be vital for me to stay on top of everything. Other skills I will need are flexibility and resilience so that I can adapt to a situation at the drop of a hat and I must be able to keep trying when something doesn’t work the way I hoped. Natalie: Communication and delegation. Having effective and open lines of communication will be crucial to making sure everyone is on the same page and will allow for all ideas to be voiced. Delegation will ensure that our tasks get done well, efficiently and will allow everyone to be involved in some way.
TB: Who has taught you the most about leadership? Natalie: Definitely Mrs Thorpe. She tought me Drama from Y7-Y11 and we stayed connected through the school play. However, one of the greatest lessons she taught me happened outside of class. She taught me how to harness my sensitivity and empathy, using it to
make real connections with people and then make decisions considering the opinions of everyone. This was at a time when I viewed my empathy almost as a weakness, as I was becoming personally affected by the challenges of those around me. She showed me how to turn that into something that, today, I view as one of my greatest strengths. Cerra: My aunt, Tina Harris. She was the Head of Primary since before I even started at BHS and I have grown up watching and learning from her. She has taught me to be reliable and responsible with my time and my team. She has also taught me that I don’t need to tear myself apart and give everything just to make others happy. But most importantly, she has taught me that sometimes things just don’t work. As a leader you need to know when to make the call when something isn’t worth it. Sometimes knowing how to come back from a failure is more valuable than pushing through at the expense of your team.
TB: Please share one piece of advice for students moving from Primary to Senior School. Cerra: I think the most important thing to do is to ask for help. Secondary can seem daunting at first and it can be really easy to feel like you are drowning. Everyone wants you to succeed and it is not a weakness to ask your teachers and friends for help. Natalie: My biggest piece of advice would be to enjoy it! The jump is big, and may seem scary, but it is a challenge that you can handle. Moving up to Secondary School represents a brand new chapter
in your life, and the beginning of an incredible journey.
TB: Where is your favourite place at BHS? Natalie: Either the QEH or Room 30 in the English department. The QEH holds many memories for me, from the play to eye-opening assemblies and nerve-racking speeches! Room 30 was my homeroom for Y10 with Mr. Walsh. I remember all of the laughs, tears, and moments from that classroom and that year which greatly impacted my life. Cerra: The time capsule in the circle. My friends and I sat there for lunch every day for four years, so I have a lot of good memories there.
TB: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? Cerra: I can only hope that in 10 years I am living a fulfilling life where I am happy with the people who surround me and the things I am experiencing. Natalie: What a question! I get a bit scared even thinking about graduation in less than a year. In 10 years I would love to be working in the U.N. or for a global charity and using my voice to advocate for issues of global importance. I would also love to continue writing. One definite goal I have for myself is that by then I will have made it to Asia!
“She taught me how to harness my sensitivity and empathy, something that, today, I view as one of my greatest strengths.”
- Natalie Calderon ‘ 20
Torchbearer Fall 2019 15
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