23 January 2026

Can you tell us your name and one interesting fact about yourself?

I am Amy Partridge and recently had the honour of representing Wales in the Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup.

What subjects did you enjoy most while you were with us, and why?

To my own surprise, Photography was certainly my most favoured subject. Originally, I selected it to fill the final slot, wanting to have some creative aspect among my optional GCSEs of Business, Geography and P.E. Not considering myself to be proficient enough at painting nor drawing for Art, Photography was the more suitable adjacent. I have always adored delving into the deeper meanings of artistry and the creator’s intentions, so the various research endeavours and experimentation with media were welcome tasks. As for my personal photography journey, I’d say it was something that pushed me out of my comfort zone especially if a classmate needed to capture me. But I’m thankful to my mates, who saw the vision, or had a laugh if they didn’t.

Were there particular moments or opportunities at school that helped shape your confidence or opened new doors for you?

One academic opportunity I received was The Brilliant Club. The particular scholars’ program I was lucky enough to be selected for covered the topic of Eugenics and our tutor was a person with both visual and hearing impairment. His knowledge paired with his own personal experiences educated me greatly on the struggles and misinformation surrounding persons with disabilities. Our tutor also made sure that it was a safe environment for honest discussion.
Other honourable mentions include the variety of sports teams, the debate and writing competitions as well as diverse subject choices at GCSE.

What are you doing now, and how did you get to this point?

Currently in my final year of A-levels and will be sitting Maths, Chemistry and Economics in the summer of 2026. Attending Llanishen High School sometimes feels like an age ago but in actuality, not even two whole years have passed!

Did you always know this was the path you wanted to follow, or were there other options you considered along the way?

I always knew I wanted to get my A-levels and at some point venture to university but that is partially because the other options aren’t as highly suggested. Especially recently, we see more and more people taking different roots to success (such as apprenticeship schemes or internships). So now more than ever, my path beyond A-levels is anything but decided, and that’s okay.

School can feel challenging at times. What helped you to keep going or stay positive?

Without a doubt, having a supportive group of friends is paramount to not only surviving, but thriving during your school years. Choosing the right people to have around you can be difficult but with confidence, I’ll say that those I chose were the best for me.

Looking back, what advice would you give to your 16-year-old self about making the most of school life?

Probably that it gets harder, so count yourself lucky haha! In all seriousness, just don’t take things too seriously and make the most of how much time you get with your friends.

And finally, what advice would you share with students today as they think about their next steps and future?

You do not need it all figured out and the likelihood is, you will change your mind several times. But be proactive and use the time you have to research. Even if all you do is rule out options, it’s a step forward.