Congratulations Lucy and Ayo!

We are delighted to announce that our Head Prefects for 2024-25 are Lucy Hanson and Ayomide Solaru. Let’s meet them…

Lucy

I’ve been at The Grove since I was 3. I went to Ashdown and I’ve come all the way through. I’ve known lots of people here since then and it’s been great to grow up with them.  

I’m studying Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry for A level. When I leave The Grove, I’m aspiring towards Cambridge to study mechanical engineering. I got the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship last year, which the school put me forward for, which is great. I got loads of support and made lots of new connections, which will hopefully help me in the future. 

One thing driving me to want to be an engineer is that I’m very passionate about the environment. I’d like to work in the energy sector and solve some problems there. I’m part of Green Grove and we have been working on the Riverbank Project – which has been really fulfilling. We’re planting new trees which will act as the first line of defence if the river floods. 

I play netball for school, which is very competitive. This is good because you feel you have achieved something. We got to the National Netball Finals last year, which was amazing as  everyone had worked so hard to get there. The Grove netball coaches are lovely and I’ve made new friends playing school netball.

I also play the piano and the clarinet. I’m part of Concert Band and Rock Band. When we do a performance, it makes me feel very accomplished – especially when everyone claps! It’s good to be able to show off what you have worked so hard for.

I’ve made a lot of friends through the co-curricular activities that I do. They inspire me, as do the teachers. The maths teachers are great! My mum inspires me too; she is very hard working.

One of the most important things that The Grove has given me is lifelong friendship, and skills such as leadership which will help me long after I leave the Grove. The best advice I’ve received is just to be yourself and not to try and fit in by changing who you are. Do what you want to do. I feel like The Grove is such a supportive community. There are loads of people that you can go to if you’ve got an issue. You’ve got your teachers if it’s academic work related, but you’ve also got the Sixth Form Support Team. 

And your friends are always there for you.  

Ayo

I have lived in Leeds my whole life with my parents and my younger sister, who also goes to Woodhouse Grove. I love spending time with them anywhere, especially through family holidays.  

I am passionate about my personal development in sport, learning and in my faith as a Christian. These things are important to me.  

Right now, I am focusing on playing for the school’s 1st XV rugby team, so I only go to training or gym club after school. But in the past, I have taken part in the athletics/cross-country club, the Green Grove Club for my Duke of Edinburgh Award and Enterprise Club.  

In terms of sport, my ambition is to compete at the highest level I am capable of. Thanks to rugby training through school and athletics at my club, I currently compete at a good level in these sports. It would be a huge achievement for me if I could make it somewhere with one of these sports. 

I am studying maths, French, biology and finance. Even though it is a difficult subject to grasp, I would say that I enjoy French the most, since you not only learn how to read and write the language, but you also get to learn more about important events and issues in French-speaking countries across the world. I am aiming to go to university to study economics/finance/accounting with French. I want to use these skills to work in the financial industry and eventually become an entrepreneur. 

Recently, I’ve been learning how to cook with my mum before I go to university. I also enjoy spending time by myself, taking my mind off school or sport, by watching Netflix or going on long walks/bike rides.  

Seeing my classmates and slightly older pupils starting to progress and achieve greater things, inspires me to follow them in their footsteps. Luckily for me, most of my closest friends are my rugby teammates, so I can enjoy spending time with them in a competitive environment. But honestly, I would have a good time with my friends doing anything. 

A happy memory from my time at The Grove is when I went to Cornwall for a few days with the rest of the team for the National Schools Cross-country Finals in Year 10. Even though the weather during the race was terrible, and I don’t remember running very well, I had such a great time by the coast, enjoying good food with a group of people I don’t normally spend a lot of time with, making it very memorable.  

My dad is always giving me good advice to remind me of how privileged I am to be going to such a good school. Recently, I have been working hard to maintain good grades. I would say that through being patient, consistent and more disciplined with how I spend my time, I have been able to move in the right direction. My dad has always told me that I shouldn’t take anything for granted, and that I must appreciate and use the opportunities I have been given if I want to progress.  

I am the very best of me.

I am Grovian.