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On Monday 6 July, Westminster City School hosted its annual Student Leadership Dinner, bringing together current Sixth Form student leaders, outgoing Year 13 leaders, governors, alumni and invited guests for an evening celebrating leadership, service and the strength of the Westminster City School community.

Held at the Cellarium Cafe and Terrace at Westminster Abbey, the formal occasion recognised the contribution of students who have taken on leadership responsibilities across the school while providing an opportunity to reflect on the year and look ahead to the future.

Head Prefect Izaiah, who has been part of the Westminster City School community since Year 7, opened the evening with a thoughtful speech centred on growth, unity and positive change. Looking ahead to his final year in the Sixth Form, he shared his ambitions for the Student Leadership Team and his commitment to building on the strong sense of community that exists throughout Westminster City School.

The Guest of Honour was Hugh Pym, BBC News Health Editor, who shared reflections on his career in journalism and spoke to students about the qualities that define effective leadership. Throughout his speech, he encouraged students to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks and remain true to the ambitions that inspire them.

Addressing the students in the audience, Hugh said:

"Leadership involves teamwork. You don’t have to succeed first time round. To be a good leader, you will face adversity and experience setbacks, but don’t be put off."

"Do what you are passionate about, follow your instincts and you will do incredibly well."

Hugh also shared the stories of people whose success was built on resilience and determination, including Liverpool and Scotland footballer Andrew Robertson, who overcame early rejection before becoming one of the world’s leading footballers, and fashion designer Lulu Guinness OBE, whose passion and creativity helped establish an internationally recognised brand.

Hugh also praised Westminster City School for the wide range of opportunities available to students, commenting that the school provides an excellent foundation as young people begin thinking about their future aspirations and careers.

The warmth of the evening also emphasised the lasting connections that define Westminster City School, with former students returning to celebrate alongside current student leaders. It served as a reminder that leadership extends beyond school and that once part of the Westminster City School community, students remain part of it long after they leave.

Year 12 student Aseel reflected on the opportunity to meet former students:

"Speaking with former Westminster City School students gave me so much confidence about my own future. Hearing from people who had taken similar paths and overcome their own challenges made me realise that I can achieve far more than I sometimes believe. It was easy to connect with them because we shared so many experiences, and the conversations felt genuine and inspiring."

Year 12 student Jagroop also spoke about the impact of the evening. He said:

"I absolutely loved the dinner because I was able to speak with governors, alumni and our Guest of Honour, gaining valuable insight from their experiences. Their advice about Sixth Form, university and future careers gave me greater confidence in my own decisions and ambitions."

He added:

"One of the biggest lessons I took away from Hugh Pym’s speech was that success isn’t determined by your background or circumstances. It’s about discipline, making the most of every opportunity and having the resilience to keep going after setbacks."

Closing the evening, Head Prefect Aisha reflected on the importance of occasions such as the Student Leadership Dinner, highlighting how "they help prepare students to become confident leaders, not only within Westminster City School but also in their future careers and communities".

By bringing students together with experienced professionals, governors and alumni, the Student Leadership Dinner encourages them to reflect on their own leadership journey while inspiring them to make a positive difference both within the school and outside of a school. A reminder that they can bring about the changes they want to see.