Head Prefect
After serving as a House Prefect, I was selected as one of four Head Prefects from over ten candidates to lead the House portfolio. I led a team of eight prefects in organising events for more than 700 students, including SLAM, The Hunt and House Day, and helped raise approximately RMB 5,000 for charity through selling merch. The House team meets weekly, and the Head Prefects meet with school leadership bi-weekly. My responsibilities included developing activities, allocating roles and coordinating preparations and delivery. These events brought together students with different interests and strengths: The Hunt, for example, combined physical challenges such as arm-wrestling and table tennis with cryptography and language decoding. The role also changed how I approached leadership. An early dodgeball event exposed gaps in our preparation and showed me that asking people to work harder meant little without giving them clear responsibilities. For House Day, I applied that lesson by clarifying roles and improving coordination, helping the team work more smoothly. Through these experiences, I learned to take responsibility when plans fell short, listen to my fellow prefects and give them the direction and independence to contribute confidently.
Common Ground
I founded Common Ground in Year 12 to create a space where students could discuss politics, economics and current affairs openly, including issues they might otherwise avoid. The club grew to 18 members representing seven nationalities, meeting weekly for 45–60-minute sessions. I plan discussion topics, design activities and facilitate conversations on subjects such as freedom of speech, immigration, abortion and access to education. To encourage careful listening, I pair students who would not normally discuss these issues together and use exercises where participants can respond only with questions. A central part of my role is helping quieter members contribute and keeping disagreements constructive. During one discussion on abortion, I helped move a stalled argument about personhood and bodily autonomy towards practical policy questions. Over time, initially reserved participants became more comfortable expressing their opinions, and members began reconsidering positions through conversation. A discussion about freedom of speech also challenged my own views. Building Common Ground has taught me to ask better questions, recognise my own assumptions and create an environment where people can disagree honestly while continuing to listen to one another.
D1 Tennis
I am the team captain of my school's D1 tennis team. Led our team to second place in doubles in Shanghai International Schools Activities Conference (SISAC) 2025.
D1 Basketball
A forward on our school's D1 team. Placed 5th overall in Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) Sports League.
Orchestra
I have played the clarinet for eight years, achieved ABRSM Grade 7 and serve as first chair in a section of six clarinettists. Through weekly rehearsals and termly concerts, I have performed in venues including the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, where we played for an audience of approximately 700. As first chair, I work to set a strong example through preparation and attentive playing, helping the clarinet section contribute to the orchestra’s overall sound.
