Student Takeover – Sami Al Ruffai

Oct 172018
 
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We would like to say a huge thank you to Year 13 student Sami Al Ruffai for taking us on a tour of his personal experience as a St Chris student, and for sharing his #StudentTakeover with us!

Sami is currently studying Business Studies, Mathematics, Physical Education and Psychology at A level. And as well as managing a very hectic academic schedule, he also finds time to play a very important role as a member of our elected Student Leadership Team, Community Service Team, and take part in a variety of sports programmes!

I am so glad to have joined St Christopher’s in Year 7. An experience like this could have never been achieved anywhere else. I feel that this school has put me in the greatest possible position for success in my future, which I’ll be eternally grateful for.
I am so glad to have joined St Christopher’s in Year 7. An experience like this could have never been achieved anywhere else. I feel that this school has put me in the greatest possible position for success in my future, which I’ll be eternally grateful for.
PE Lesson: Starting the day with physical activity definitely gives me a boost of energy rather than draining it. As a Year 13 student, you are given a plethora of activities to choose from and, even if sports aren’t your thing, you are given the option to work out in the fitness room to maintain and improve your health mentally, physically and socially. Exercise is crucial for the improvement of your quality of life with endless short and long term benefits.
PE Lesson: Starting the day with physical activity definitely gives me a boost of energy rather than draining it. As a Year 13 student, you are given a plethora of activities to choose from and, even if sports aren’t your thing, you are given the option to work out in the fitness room to maintain and improve your health mentally, physically and socially. Exercise is crucial for the improvement of your quality of life with endless short and long term benefits.
Leader of Year 13 Prefects: Here I am with my peers in the Student Leadership Team discussing our priorities for this year with our Head of Year Ms Al Hammoud. Although we all have our own individual thoughts, we collaborate and plan together ahead of our first big event, the Festive Fayre. I am also a member of our student Community Service Team this year. ‘Think Pink Day’ is coming up on Thursday 18 October, and I am spending time helping to plan activities and fundraising initiatives. Having a team of close friends makes it much easier to multi-task, and we all become closer friends by the end of it.
Leader of Year 13 Prefects: Here I am with my peers in the Student Leadership Team discussing our priorities for this year with our Head of Year Ms Al Hammoud. Although we all have our own individual thoughts, we collaborate and plan together ahead of our first big event, the Festive Fayre. I am also a member of our student Community Service Team this year. ‘Think Pink Day’ is coming up on Thursday 18 October, and I am spending time helping to plan activities and fundraising initiatives. Having a team of close friends makes it much easier to multi-task, and we all become closer friends by the end of it.
Volleyball season: It is currently volleyball season for both boys and girls in all Year Groups and, depending on whether you are a Junior, Intermediate or Senior, you are given the opportunity to practice your competitive skills in tournaments with other schools. I feel taking part is very important as it can give you time to de-stress from the pressure of GCSE’s and A levels, and give you time to relax and compete. There are also A and B teams this year and ongoing training sessions for all which means more people have a greater chance of participating and getting involved.
Volleyball season: It is currently volleyball season for both boys and girls in all Year Groups and, depending on whether you are a Junior, Intermediate or Senior, you are given the opportunity to practice your competitive skills in tournaments with other schools. I feel taking part is very important as it can give you time to de-stress from the pressure of GCSE’s and A levels, and give you time to relax and compete. There are also A and B teams this year and ongoing training sessions for all which means more people have a greater chance of participating and getting involved.
Supervised study: Work at A level can be hard to manage if you have got other responsibilities on top of your academic subjects to prioritise. However, our supervised study sessions give us time to catch up on missed work, or prepare for the next lesson. At this time of the year we also focus on university applications, personal statements and further research. Knowing our Head of Year and Form Tutor are there to give their support and experience is a huge support.
Supervised study: Work at A level can be hard to manage if you have got other responsibilities on top of your academic subjects to prioritise. However, our supervised study sessions give us time to catch up on missed work, or prepare for the next lesson. At this time of the year we also focus on university applications, personal statements and further research. Knowing our Head of Year and Form Tutor are there to give their support and experience is a huge support.
Students & Staff Basketball: The Sports Hall is also used for extra-curricular activities after school. Sometimes, at the end of the week, our teachers invite us to join them in a friendly game of basketball. This tradition has been ongoing since Year 12, even during the summer. This activity gave me the opportunity to create great friendships with the previous Year 13 group that would have never been possible otherwise. I’ve also gained a more personal relationship with teachers outside of our classroom.
Students & Staff Basketball: The Sports Hall is also used for extra-curricular activities after school. Sometimes, at the end of the week, our teachers invite us to join them in a friendly game of basketball. This tradition has been ongoing since Year 12, even during the summer. This activity gave me the opportunity to create great friendships with the previous Year 13 group that would have never been possible otherwise. I’ve also gained a more personal relationship with teachers outside of our classroom.