Sylvie, Grade 10
What is your favourite subject at the school and why?
I enjoy biology the most. I love learning about the world around us and the way it works, as well as how our bodies work and the intricate systems that keep the world spinning.
Tell us about an interesting project you did in this subject.
In biology this year, we did a lab report on a reaction between an enzyme and its substrate. It was fascinating to learn about enzymes and how they function in the body, and then see how they work in real time.
What’s one thing you’ve learned here that has had a big impact on you?
Learning the actual skills of writing essays, lab reports, speeches, scripts and a multitude of other tasks has been really valuable and I’ll be using these skills for the rest of my life.
How do the teachers or fellow students make you feel supported at the school?
Teachers are often very easy to communicate with and discuss deadlines and grades with. Other students, especially my friends, make me feel supported through talking about work and any issues we have and being there for me.
What is the best thing about coming to this school each day?
I enjoy seeing my friends and going to class with them, as well as discussing various relevant topics and our opinions.
In what ways has our school community made you feel welcome and included?
There are a lot of after school activities where I can express my ideas and interests.
Tell us about a moment or experience at our school that was memorable to you, and why?
Performing in the school play and seeing many of the students I know from around school in the audience was a very special moment, and being in the play also allowed me to make connections with people outside of my grade level.
How do you feel that the school is helping you to develop as a student?
The variety of subjects and experiences allow me to round out my knowledge about the world and the multitude of different people, cultures, environments and histories that exist.
In a few sentences, how would you describe your overall experience at our school?
I would describe my experience here as both entertaining and challenging. There have been many moments where I have felt stressed or unsure but also just as many, if not more moments where I have learnt something and felt secure in my abilities.
Reuben, Grade 11
What is your favourite subject at the school and why?
My favourite subject at ACS Egham is business management because I enjoy learning about how businesses operate, including aspects of leadership, finance and marketing.
Tell us about an interesting project you did in this subject.
An interesting project I recently completed was a group project on creating our own perfume brand. We constructed a video on our brand covering all the strategies required in order for the perfume to be successful in the market.
What’s one thing you’ve learned here that has had a big impact on you?
I have learned the importance of having a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This has had a positive impact on my academic performance, personal growth and wellbeing.
How do the teachers or fellow students make you feel supported at ACS Egham?
The teachers and students make me feel supported by providing encouragement, inclusivity as well as offering constructive feedback.
What is the best thing about coming to this school each day?
The best thing about coming to this school each day is the sense of belonging and community. This is because I am surrounded by students and teachers who encourage me to expand my knowledge and people who make each day enjoyable and interesting.
In what ways has our school community made you feel welcome and included?
The school community has made me feel welcome and included by creating a positive environment from the moment arrive. Participating in sport with other students has also made me feel included as well as sense of belonging.
Tell us about a moment or experience at our school that was memorable to you, and why?
An experience at our school that was memorable to me was the school dance. It was a celebration of school spirit where everyone felt included and embraced by the school’s community.
How do you feel that ACS Egham is helping you to develop as a student?
The school is helping me develop as a student in several ways. I am given guidance and feedback in helping me to understand challenging concepts giving me a deeper understanding of the subjects I study. The school is also helping me to develop key life skills such as communication, collaboration, time management and resilience which can be used inside and outside of school.
In a few sentences, how would you describe your overall experience at our school?
My overall experience at our school has been very positive. This has come from the teachers who have helped me to grow academically, to the students who have created a welcoming, inclusive environment. There is a strong sense of belonging and encouragement present on a daily basis.
Aaron, Grade 9
What is your favourite subject at the school and why?
ACS Egham has such a wide variety of subject choices… they are all brilliant in their own way! However, if I had to pick a favourite, it would be Music. I’ve always had a passion for music, both in and out of school. Music is one of the most valuable subjects to me, as I’ve studied piano from a young age.
When performing, or making a piece of music, I always enjoy the creation process, and the ability to express a message through sound – it’s a brilliant way to express yourself. The interesting part of music is that it is open to interpretation and perspective. What I may interpret my music to be, might not be the same to someone else, and it’s always great to hear other ideas! It’s what makes the creation process fun!
Tell us about an interesting project you did on this subject.
Most recently, I completed a project in music, where the brief was “compose a piece of music”. This brief was so broad… but allowed me to be creative and free with what I did. After a lot of experimentation, seeing what worked, and what didn’t, I decided on composing a piece of music that demonstrated the need for teamwork, and the importance of collaboration skills.
The idea was to have each instrument have its separate part, which did not make sense, and honestly, was a bit strange, when played by itself. However, as you hear more and more instruments coming together, everything clicks together – you can see the intention and message. It was a challenging but rewarding project.
How do the teachers or fellow students make you feel supported at the school?
The open communication at ACS Egham makes me feel supported. I’ve felt supported in starting projects, voicing opinions, or concerns, and they’ve all been dealt with amazingly.
I love the fact that you always have that we’ve got small homeroom groups – it’s helped me develop a relationship with my advisor, and as a result, I feel that I can talk to them about anything! Whether it just be about what has happened in the day, or just a general chat, you always feel listened to. The same with students – my friends are so supportive of me, and I know that I can always go to them.
In what ways has our school community made you feel welcome and included?
The school community has made me feel welcome and included by having such a wide range of extracurriculars. There’s always something you can get involved with… and if what you want doesn’t exist, it can be created. The sky is truly the limit with extracurriculars – endless possibilities! They are a great way of making new friends and finding people with similar interests.
How do you feel that the school is helping you to develop as a student?
The school has helped me develop so much, both socially and academically. The focus is not just on “getting the best grades”, or “being the best at everything”, but rather, on developing the skills needed for the real world.
I’ve learnt that it is okay to not be the best at everything! And without that pressure, I feel so much more confident in being able to advocate for myself and being able to apply the knowledge I’ve learnt in the real world. Now, I feel like I’m ready to face what the working world brings!
In a few sentences, how would you describe your overall experience at our school?
ACS Egham is a wonderful place to be. I’ve never been to a school like it. ACS is a place that prepares you for life ahead, both in academics, and in social skills, and as a result, I feel better prepared for adulthood. You can always see the real-world relevance of what we are learning – it’s what makes learning genuinely engaging.
