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With my school journey speeding to its end, I have recently taken time to reflect on my growth as an individual as a result of my personal experience over the last seven years.
I will begin with the oversized blazer and enormous backpack era of Year 7, where I began my time at Maidstone Grammar School. I remember looking up at the Sixth Formers, whom my older brother befriended and being mesmerized by their height, maturity and independence. Year seven for me was full of anxieties, from being pushed out of the lunch queue to not winning the football games in PE.
As the first few years now blur into one, my memory of Year 8 spans as far as exploring my hobbies and creativity. I started playing football for the school team and attended art classes every lunchtime. I used this freedom to express my individuality and tried to follow my own passions, rather than those of my friendship group, which I now feel was necessary for my creative development.
As GCSE’s loomed, Year 9 for me was a year of realisation that the school day was not intended to be a social event - rather a place for academic study and achievement. I sit here today reflecting on my GCSE options and ask myself why I chose certain subjects. However, this reflection emphasises how much I have grown as an individual with regards to career aspirations.
Year 10 and 11 were similar in that I spent most of my time in the school library knuckling down and either completing coursework or trying to beat deadlines. I felt as though I owed it to myself to work hard and reach my full potential, so that when the time came, I did not regret wasting time. This is a moral, I feel has been consistent in my personality over the last few years. This is outlined perfectly in one of my favourite quotes; “do your future self a favour and work hard now”.
The hard work payed off as I got the GCSE grades I needed and felt reflected my abilities, and it was now time to enrol at Invicta!
Year 12, my first at Invicta, flew by quickly and was full of amazing experiences that have shaped the individual I am today. My previous blog titled ‘Time Travelling’ perfectly sums up how time flew by in the first year of Sixth Form.
That brings me to the present day, having nearly finished my final year at school, I am certain that if I met ‘Year 7 Joe’ he would be unrecognizable and not only for the horrific haircut!
I am consciously aware of the difference in my maturity, organisational abilities, responsibilities and most importantly, my individuality and independence.
My school journey has been filled with experiences that have shaped my personal growth and my recent reflection has highlighted how lucky I am to have had a very good school life filled with brilliant opportunities to grow as an individual.
Reflection has been key in my recent motivation to work hard for the forthcoming exams, and I feel it is crucial for everybody to take some time out to reflect and remember their journey as it has influenced their personal growth, as it has mine.
Joe Masters
Head Boy
