Former Head Girl Jamie See on her time at St Swithun's

Former Head Girl Jamie See visited the school last week to catch up with old friends and a number of her teachers. We sat down with her to find out what she has been up to after finishing her A Levels last summer. 

What were your first impressions of the school?

I remember thinking that it was huge when I walked in. I saw the garden and thought this was such a beautiful place to be at with all the greenery and I remember thinking that the grounds are really big. The boarding house was a fun place and a great community. It was nice to see it (Earlsdown) getting refurbished and done up. I was very excited to be here.

What made you choose St Swithun’s?

I was looking for a school that portrayed a sense of community and I got a sense of that even through looking at the materials including the website – everyone seemed to have a smile on their face and was very friendly. The community feel was really important especially as a boarding school that was going to be my home outside of my home. 

Talk us through your memories of the school?

Going through lockdown we all got together as a group. We quarantined as a boarding house but I still got to see my friends around and I think we got a lot closer throughout that period. I also remember having an outdoor cinema event during my time here. That was really nice as it was in September/October and we sat outside with a huge screen and our own snacks. It was good to get the whole school out here. A lot of the activities that we have, for example going to the cinema or playing golf, those are things that I think really fondly about.

What was it like being Head Girl?

I really enjoyed it and found it very fulfilling to contribute to the school community especially since when I first came here I really looked up to the head girl. She was someone I aspired to be especially with her work ethic and how generous she was to other people. I really hope that throughout my time here I did the same for other girls in the school. One of the things I enjoyed most was getting to know the school community really well. I did quite a lot for academic enrichment while I was here and I gave academic talks on history. I also did some fundraising – fundraising Thursday – that was really fun to get water dumped on me but also to get the whole school community together.

How does it feel to be back today?

It’s lovely to be back. It feels like I haven’t left but at the same time quite a lot has changed. For example, we have a new caterer and the food is really good. To see some familiar faces that I recognise from lower years and getting to see my teachers and everyone again – that is very sweet.

What have you done since leaving?

Right now I have just finished my first year at the University of Oxford studying History and Economics. I’m really enjoying that. St Swithun’s set me up really well for that, especially in terms of being academically curious and being inquisitive and having an open mind, be willing to change your opinions and be flexible about things.

I’ve also made a strong group of friends in university and I’ve been elected as the JCR (Junior Common Room) president for Somerville College at Oxford, overseeing the college’s undergraduate student body. 

How has your time at St Swithun’s helped you?

One of the things I am very grateful for is the support and guidance – for example in academic enrichment with Dr Filtness and Mrs Taylor - whenever I was interested in a topic they supported me. I did a talk on the storming of the summer palace in China in the early twentieth century. When I first did that talk I was slightly worried as it is intimidating to speak to a group of people, but they supported me throughout and gave me new ways to think about the topic which was great academically.

I also think throughout my time here all of my teachers have encouraged me to push myself and not be afraid to try. As Ms Gandee says, try and don’t be afraid to fail. That determination to see things through and that ambition really stuck with me.

What support did you receive?

When I was applying to university, the academic support was brilliant. It was a stressful time for everyone because you are trying to figure out what you want to do in the next stage of your life and I remember that when I was getting stressed out about the admissions tests and exams, my teachers were so understanding and worked around me. The welfare support meant that I had teachers that I could trust to speak to. The boarding staff are hugely supportive, in terms of having someone to speak to pastorally. That really helped me know that there were people looking out for me emotionally.

What advice would you give to our current U6 as they approach the end of their time at the school?

Spend as much time as you can with your friends. You rarely get the chance to do that again with the same group of people and you’ve made so many memories in this place so just make the most of it.

When you go out there, take everything that you’ve learnt from the school and be kind and friendly to everyone. There is a whole world out there and you are so ready to take it on.

What would you say to prospective student and parents considering St Swithun’s?

To go in with an open mind. When I first entered St Swithun’s I didn’t know what to expect but throughout my time here I’ve made friends that I keep in contact with and have come to visit me in university. I’ve made connections with teachers who have supported me. I’ve got so much from this school, experiencing new opportunities including working as a Youth Advisor for UNICEF and I wouldn’t have thought that would be possible when I first entered the school for year 10.

Be open to all experience and make the most of it because this is a great place to be.

Finally, would you like to give any advice and tips to our incoming Head Girl team?

I was in the same boarding house as Noelle and Daria. They know what they are doing and should be so confident in themselves. My one piece of advice is be open to all suggestions and feedback but also think analytically when judging whether that is the right feedback to take. The last thing is to make the most out of it - be confident in your abilities and kind to the people around you. I’m sure that they will be great.