A NEWLY appointed head girl hopes to inspire pupils to “embrace their unique qualities and feel confident to strive for success”.

Reem Jaafar, this year’s leading senior prefect at Haberdasher’s Monmouth School for Girls, believes every pupil should be proud of who they are.

The aspiring doctor, who has been at HMSG since Year 7, said: “I want to inspire girls to grow and become the people they have always wanted to be, but never thought they were capable of being.

“I don’t want pupils to be afraid to stand out from the crowd, but instead to embrace their unique qualities and feel worthy and proud to be someone that no-one else can be.”

Reem, 17, was awarded eight A*s and two As at GCSE level, and is studying chemistry, biology, philosophy and ethics for A levels.

She is working towards reading medicine at university.

“I think a good head girl is someone who is active within our school community,” she added.

“This is so easily achieved, whether it’s attending an after school hockey match to give support, or just being around for a friendly talk over lunch.”

Alongside Reem, Adelle Yii, Alice Reynolds and Bethan Howe step into deputy head girl roles.

Martha Gosling, who joined HMSG in Year 9 and achieved nine A*s and two As at GCSE level, will be the deputy head girl in charge of boarding.

She said: “I think it is so important for the head girl and her deputies, first and foremost, to be role models to other students and ambassadors for the school.

“We are all incredibly proud of our school, and it is important that this shows through our daily activities. 

“It is also important to be kind, willing to listen, and trustworthy.

“We act as a bridge between students and teachers, but are also happy to help any girl in distress who may not wish to talk to a teacher about her problem.”

A keen tennis player, Martha is studying French, Spanish and Latin at A-level, and hopes to read French and Arabic at Cambridge or Durham universities.

Deputy head girl Bethan, who was awarded two A*s and nine As in her GCSEs, believes time management and organisational skills are vital in ensuring everything goes to plan.

She said: “I would like to show other girls that you don’t have to be the cleverest or sportiest to gain a senior prefect role, you just need to be aspirational and self-assured, so you know you can do a great job. 

“I help the Monmouth Women’s Committee organise the Monmouth Women’s Festival, and I help organise two business breakfasts over the year which involve women in business coming to talk to the girls.”

Bethan, who is taking psychology, philosophy and ethics, and English at A-level, aims to study psychology at university.

Adelle joined HMSG last year, after taking her GCSEs in Singapore.

A keen horse rider, she has set her sights on becoming a barrister in London or Bristol.

“I think a deputy head girl should be patient, encouraging and most importantly, a good listening ear to those around her,” she said.

“I’d like to encourage all the girls to be more confident and never doubt themselves. 

“Most of the time we’re the ones stopping ourselves, and no-one should be afraid to reach for what they want.”

Alice, who captains the 1st Lacrosse Team, has grown up in the Haberdashers’ Monmouth family of schools, joining Agincourt in Year 2.

She said: “I have enjoyed being part of a team throughout my time at school. 

“Winning a match means so much more when you can share it with other people.”

Alice was awarded nine A*s and one A at GCSE level, and hopes to read history of art at university.

“I believe any senior prefect must be someone who is approachable, respected and willing to try their best to make school an enjoyable environment for everyone.”