KATE

My name is Kate Armstrong, I’m in year 12 and I’ve been part of the Steyning Grammar School family for four years now. 

Wednesday 6th September 2017, this was the first time of which I embarked on my journey through education with Steyning Grammar School. Feeling nervous, I tried to enthusiastically explore my GCSE subjects and the teachers made my subjects fun, intriguing and compelling. After several months, I decided to throw myself into the netball club of which Steyning offers. Immediately, I made friends and discovered a new and engaging hobby which was sport. In March 2018, I decided to go on the french exchange trip that Steyning offered where I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and discovering different french people and french culture.

As I progressed throughout year 10, I began to discover the subjects that I was most interested in which were french and english literature; to this day I am so engrossed in different aspects of these two subjects. I also started to help out within the school community by doing a speech at the year 9 induction evening and helping at the subject taster evenings. In the summer of year 10, I took part in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award which Steyning offered, discovering that I’m more determined and resilient than I had ever thought whilst also making more new friends. 

This resilience and determination would help throughout year 11. I joined the girl’s football team and learnt how to play an entirely new sport. As GCSE’s edged closer I felt confident thanks to the support around me from the teachers and my peers. Due to COVID-19, unfortunately, my time in year 11 was cut short however it didn’t stop me from researching into my options for sixth form and the subjects which were on offer.

That leads me to this year where I started in September 2020 at Steyning Grammar sixth form. I’ve continuously tried to involve myself in different extracurricular activities like debate club at sixth form whilst still participating in the weekly sports which are on offer. Choosing to go to Steyning Grammar School was one of my best decisions because the subjects are engaging, the teachers are supportive and the environment is welcoming. I hope to finish this year by doing the best I can in my transition exams in my A-Levels of French, English Literature and Economics.