Alfie, a keen scientist and mathematician, demonstrates that Physics and the Performing Arts go hand in hand.
Alfie’s journey at NHGS from Year 7 to 13 has been one of determination, resilience and unwavering commitment to his academic studies. After his GCSE success at NHGS, Alfie has fully embraced all that sixth form has to offer, taking on leadership roles in the performing arts while achieving success in national Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics competitions.
“Over the past year, I have taken on a role in the school's Performing Arts department as a student leader, maintaining and improving the space that we have available to run theatre tech, and available for school productions as a whole. I have also had the chance to work on various shows, including the lighting for Headliners, doing First Bow (as an overall supervisor), and planning and running lights for the out-of-school performance of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ at the Leeds Playhouse. This was a continuation of what I began to do at the end of Y11, when I was in charge of lighting for the production of ‘We Will Rock You’. I have also had the pleasure of working as part of the team training new members of tech crew, and I feel like I have seen bits of 11-year-old me in the younger new students I have met, which has given me a fresh perspective on the role I might play in their development, because when I was in their shoes, there were certainly sixth formers who were influential to me.
I stayed at NHGS because I knew it had opportunities available that I couldn't guarantee elsewhere, and the SEN department was, and still is, very supportive for my whole time in school.
I have learned various things from my year-and-a-bit in my role in theatre tech at North Halifax, including how to lead a younger team as a more senior student, work as part of a team of equals, and problem-solve around the incessant issues caused by working with a lot of technology (and therefore I have probably learned patience and resilience, too). I have also gained confidence from being able to deal with problems as they have arisen.”
Alfie has also excelled academically, entering the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge ("Best in Year" in Round One and "Best in School" in Round Two), the BPhO Senior Physics Challenge (Gold Award, Best in Year) and the CCC (Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, Gold Award, Best in Year). These accolades reflect both his academic talent and the dedication and encouragement he has received from his teachers.
Alfie hopes to pursue a Mathematics degree after his time at North Halifax. We are confident he will continue to share and develop his Theatre Tech expertise, and that others will enjoy the unique light-and-sound show he treated the school to last Christmas. Alfie has made an outstanding contribution to NHGS, serving as a role model for both his peers and younger students through his dedication to his studies and the school.
Congratulations, Alfie – we look forward to seeing all that you will achieve in the future!
