Bobby Austin – Head Boy

Hi, I'm Bobby — your Head Boy. I want everybody to know I'm a genuinely sociable, approachable person, and that there should be zero doubt about coming to me with questions if you need to. That's not just something I say — it's how I actually want to be found.

What that looked like in practice

• Helped out at a lot of parents' evenings
• Played main characters in the school shows
• Helped teachers teach younger students songs and choreography, one-on-one
• Shown I'm responsible to both my peers and teaching staff
• Been friendly and helpful to other students in every single year group — and to my own peers too

Why Head Boy?

Responsibility is the value I care about most — I always try to take ownership and lead the way rather than wait for someone else to. Outside of that, I'm the kid who loves superheroes like Spider-Man and lights up acting in musicals, and honestly, I think that's part of why I lead the way I do: a bit of confidence, a bit of performance, but always backed up by actually following through.

What I actually want to do with it

I want to leave this school knowing I made a change that genuinely benefits the whole school — students and teachers both. Not a small thing, not something I'd notice.  Something real.

Michaela Aboagye – Head Girl

I'm a sociable, positive, approachable person, and connecting with people — actually making them feel heard — is what matters most to me. Head Girl has been the goal for a long time, and I'm genuinely proud to now get the chance to lead by example.

What that looked like in practice

• Peer-to-Peer Mentoring, Year 6 (GLC) — sharpened the listening and communication skills I want to bring to student leadership
• Football, Basketball and Netball — built the teamwork, resilience and communication I want to carry into school-wide activities
• Volunteering and community work — grew my compassion and sense of responsibility
• The Oxford Unbounded Programme — pushed me to challenge myself academically and keep aiming higher
• Contributed at parents' evenings

Why Head Girl?

I want to use this role to empower student voices, encourage personal growth, and help build a school where everyone genuinely feels valued. Everything I've done so far — mentoring, sport, volunteering, pushing myself academically — has built the same things: resilience, confidence, teamwork and communication. I want to keep growing in all of them, and bring others along with me.

What I actually want to do with it

As Head Girl, I want to listen to students, represent what they actually think, and turn their ideas into real action — not just good intentions. My aim is simple: no one should feel excluded, alone, or like they don't have a way to contribute. If students know their voice is genuinely valued, they feel more involved, more supported, and more confident in their place here.

Dylan Saunders - Deputy Head Boy

I've been part of Student Leadership since I turned up here as a nervous Year 7 — and it's stuck with me ever since. From day one, I've tried to live by our four core values and actually be someone other students can look up to.

What that looked like in practice

Talk is easy. Here's what I've actually done:

• Been part of Student Leadership since Year 7
• Served at four old-age pensioners' dinners
• Peer mentored younger students
• Helped run five open evenings
• Organised an activities' day for visiting primary school pupils
• Stuck with Cooking Club for four straight years
• Helped plan Culture Days, an activities evening, charity cake sales and more
• Led school tours for primary school students and their parents
• Written a guide to what students can actually do at break and lunch
• Helped set up a brand-new hobbies club
• Shown up to every parents' evening, without fail

Why Head Student?

This has been the goal since Year 7. I've always believed Student Leadership isn't just good for the school — it matters to the wider community around us too. And I think every single student deserves a shot at making that kind of impact, not just the ones who put their hand up first.

What I actually want to do with it

My focus as Head Student comes down to three things: confidence, social skills, and teamwork. Why those three? Because they're the stuff that actually carries you — into college, university, work, wherever you're headed next. Build that foundation now, and people don't just get by later. They flourish, and they go on to make their own mark.

Lexie Chapman – Deputy Head Girl

Hello everyone! I'm Lexie, your new Deputy Head Girl. In Year 7 and 8, I was genuinely anxious — I didn't want to come to school, mostly out of fear of being separated from my parents. But the kind, caring atmosphere that runs through this school changed that. School stopped being something to fear. It became somewhere safe — a community, honestly a second home. That taught me real resilience, and now I want to give it back.

What that looked like in practice

• Attended almost every parents' evening
• Chaired the Thurrock Youth Cabinet — spoke to councillors on a range of topics to get the best outcomes for young people locally
• Martial arts coach — teaching younger students the fundamentals of self-defence and building their confidence
• Student Leadership — fundraisers, bake sales, the careers fair, and led recruitment for the Thurrock Youth Cabinet
• Year 10 peer-to-peer mentor — someone people can talk to and trust, without judgement
• Year 10 reading mentor
• Helped at every open evening

I'm also a strong advocate for domestic violence awareness.

Why Deputy Head Girl?

This has been something I've aspired to since I was young, and I don't take being given this role lightly. I know first-hand what it's like to walk through these doors scared — and what it's like when a school makes you feel safe instead. I want to be part of making sure that's everyone's experience here, not just something I got lucky with.

What I actually want to do with it

I believe hard work pays off, and that consistency and dedication are what actually get you good grades — not shortcuts. As Deputy Head Girl, I want to give back to this community the way it gave to me: by making sure people keep feeling comfortable, supported and safe at The Gateway Academy.