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.

My school memories:

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!

What did you do after DHSG?

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).

Tips and advice:

I would advise current pupils at DHSG to grab every opportunity with both hands! When my Italian teacher in Year 13 suggested that I go and volunteer on organic farms for the sake of improving my Italian before starting at Cambridge, I was a little nervous as I would be travelling around Italy for the first time on my own. However, I can honestly say that this “whim” has changed my life! DHSG offers so many opportunities to do something “different” – sometimes all you need to do is embrace them!

For parents trying to decide whether DHSG is the right school for their daughter, I believe that the school’s emphasis on curiosity and knowledge is unrivalled. DHSG, in my opinion, provides its pupils with a wonderfully supportive atmosphere in which to grow both intellectually and emotionally. I would not be the person that I am today without the care and attention that the teachers at DHSG paid to me on an individual level.