UK ICGS student leadership symposium (October 2024)
On Friday 11th October 2024, CCHS hosted the UK ICGS Student Leadership Symposium. We at CCHS, with our ICGS colleagues, were keen to see a new type of student conference for Sixth Form students, hosted in a girls’ school, with the programme devised by students from several girls’ schools, with all the keynote speakers and workshop facilitators being girls’ school alumnae. This is exactly what took place on Friday 11th October at CCHS. Thanks to the tremendous work of Miss Harrison, Miss Burnham and the team here at CCHS, supported by our ICGS colleagues, we welcomed students and staff from girls’ schools across the country. The voices, ideas and vision of brilliant young women were front and centre throughout, during an inspirational day of keynote addresses, workshops and networking. Please see below the feedback from Sharon Cromie (ICGS UK Regional Director) and Megan Murphy (ICGS Global Executive Director).
Please accept my most sincere thanks and appreciation for an excellent Student Leadership Symposium on Friday 11th October. The day was superbly organised, inspiring and a credit to your wonderful school. The almost 200 students in attendance were fully engaged from the onset and loved the day. Every member of Chelmsford County High School staff and students I interacted with throughout the day were superb ambassadors for Chelmsford County High School and for girls’ education globally. It was truly wonderful hearing from a range of speakers on a very diverse range of topics and then having this followed up by a choice of two workshops for each student delegate. It was wonderful to hear the great questions posed by attendees to the Keynote speakers and to observe first-hand the high level of engagement in the workshops. In summary, every aspect of the day was simply wonderful. On behalf of ICGS, please accept our thanks and admiration. Together, as per the theme of the Student Leadership Symposium, ‘The Future is Female: and we rise by lifting each other up’, ICGS will be sending out some post SLS social media and eblast reflections on the wonderful day and I know by next year, the numbers wanting to attend will have risen even higher! Please do extend this thanks to the entire school community.
Sharon Cromie | UK Regional Director
International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS)
I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the remarkable Student Leadership Symposium held on Friday, October 11. As Sharon shared with our entire ICGs team, the event was flawlessly organized and truly inspiring—a testament to the dedication of your school community. She said that the nearly 200 students in attendance were engaged from the very start and left feeling motivated and empowered, thanks to your superb work. Sharon spoke highly of the incredible interactions she had with both staff and students, showcasing Chelmsford County High School’s commitment to excellence and the importance of girls’ education. It was heartening to know that the students were so actively involved throughout the day. The lineup of speakers and the diversity of topics covered must have been fantastic. I loved hearing about the workshops that allowed students to delve deeper into their interests, fostering rich discussions and insightful questions for the keynote speakers. It’s wonderful to hear that many of the workshop leaders and speakers were proud Chelmsford alumnae, embodying the spirit of your school. In short, every detail of the day sounds remarkable. On behalf of ICGS, please accept my heartfelt thanks and admiration. As we embrace the theme, “The Future is Female: and we rise by lifting each other up,” it’s inspiring to see the support and encouragement fostered throughout the event. I look forward to reading even more reflections from the symposium on social media, and I have no doubt that next year’s attendance will exceed this year’s. You’ve set the bar high! Thank you once again. Please extend my personal appreciation to everyone at Chelmsford County High School for making the day so special.
Megan K. Murphy | Global Executive Director
International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS)
Advocating for Girls’ Schools
In July 2022, CCHS became one of the founding UK schools of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS). ICGS is now the leading advocate for girls’ schools globally. In an important development, the 185 member schools of the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia (AGSA) will officially join with ICGS. The merger will be complete in January 2024. This effort will unite more than 550 girls’ schools across 21 countries, representing more than 350,000 students.
The work of ICGS is to advance the mission of girls’ schools. Girls’ schools play a vital role in educating and empowering girls, which is essential to overcoming our world’s greatest challenges, from climate change to human rights, from global health to sustainable human development. The purpose of ICGS is to nurture the girls who will become the indispensable women leaders of tomorrow. We, at CCHS, will continue our work and commitment to excellence in girls’ education and empowerment. When it comes to girls’ education, there is always more we can do, together.
