Head Girls of the Past Return to Welcome Priory’s New Head Prefects

13 September 2025

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1995 Head Girl Heather Taylor and 2005 Head Girl Hannah Humphris returned to Priory to welcome our current Head Prefects into their roles.

Kacper, Tarela, Yasmine and Hiylie are Priory’s Head Prefects for the 2025/6 school year following hustings that were held at the end of the summer term. Candidates had to make a 3-5 minute speech on why they wanted to be a Head Prefect, what changes they would make in school and how they would implement them. It then went to a staff and Year 11 vote.

Heather, whose surname was Collins at school, said: “It’s 30 year since I have been here properly although my mum, Margaret Collins, was the Head’s PA so I did used to pop in every now and again.

“It’s lovely to be back, it has changed such a lot. It’s nice to have a look around

“When I was Head Girl, you didn’t put in for it, you just got voted in by pupils and teachers. There wasn’t a speech as I wouldn’t have done it!

“I enjoyed Art and Maths but mostly PE with Miss Slater. I remember a snowball fight as well!

"I work in the NHS now.”

Hannah was the first of the Rooke family to attend Priory, five sisters and a brother followed her.

“I did have to make a speech to be Head Girl! I got fantastic GCSE results and I went to college and university to do primary education with maths specialism. My favourite teacher was Mrs Butler who was my Head of Year and maths teacher.

“I worked in education for a while, actually in a secondary school even though I trained for primary school, but then myself and my husband set up a climbing and education business called Climbing Wall Training.

“It’s lovely to be back and see how the school has grown. The bones of it are still here from when I was here but it has moved on a lot.”

Both spent time looking at memorabilia from 30 and 20 years ago with our new Head Prefects, talking about school uniform, trips to Russia and teachers.

Hiylie said: “It’s lovely hearing them talking about their time at Priory, it’s really interesting. I am excited to be a Head Prefect. I have a lot of ideas, I want more communication with pupils and staff.

“Looking ahead to the school year, my GCSEs are daunting but I am excited to be able to change things as a Head Prefect.”

Tarela said: “When I talked to my Year 11 friends a lot spoke about wanting more food options so that’s something I will look at.”

Yasmine said: “I did not expect to get a Head Prefect role. I came to Priory from Hong Kong in Year 10 so I understand how alone you can feel when starting a new school so I want to use my experience to help others who maybe in the same situation. It is a real honour to be a Head Prefect.

“I have enjoyed meeting the former Head Girls. They have been telling me that their Food Tech room is now where the Bistro is and how much the school has changed.”

Kacper, who was unfortunately absent for the photograph, is a Young Leader for Explorer Scouts out of school and has firm ideas for the changes he wants to make at Priory.

“I want to support younger pupils. It’s important to me to help younger pupils through difficult times as I understand how painful it can be. I really want to make a difference in this area. I want the best for everyone.”