We are excited to begin our new Meet Our Pupils series, where we shine a light on the experiences and achievements of our wonderful pupils.

This week, we begin with Aliyah E, who will soon complete the Mill Hill Journey, having started at Belmont in Year 7, and is now thriving in her final year at Mill Hill Sixth Form.

We caught up with Sydney to hear about her time at Mill Hill.

Tell us about yourself... 

My name is Aliyah Easterman. I was born in Saint Lucia and moved to London when I was three. I first attended a small state school before joining Belmont in Year 7, and I’m now in Year 13 at Mill Hill. I have a passion for Drama and Art, and when I finish, I hope to pursue a Degree Apprenticeship in Marketing.

Have you ever taken on a leadership role in school, and what did you learn from that experience? 

I’m currently Vice-Captain of Girls Rugby and as a Drama Scholar, I have taken the lead on my Houses Drama play. These experiences have taught me the importance of staying organised and managing my time, as well as communicating with my team to ensure everyone feels enthusiastic and motivated throughout matches, training, rehearsals and the final performance! others, supporting them, and making sure everyone feels valued.

Are you involved in any school clubs or societies? What do you enjoy most about them? 

Throughout my time in Mill Hill, I have taken part in numerous clubs and sports such as: Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Football, Athletics, Rugby, Swimming, Chapel Choir and the CCF. I would say that my favourite things about the clubs at Mill Hill is the community and friendships made that last throughout your time at the School and beyond, as well as the diversity of different people you meet and all the things you can learn from eachother. The clubs also give you great opportunities to work on skills and activities you may have never tried.

What is your favourite subject? 

Although I enjoy all of my subjects, Art has been my favourite since Year 9. I love the creativity, independence and freedom I have in the classroom, to work on projects and topics I’m enthusiastic about. My teachers Miss Green and Miss Collins have also added to my experience with art in Mill Hill, helping me to develop my previous skills in things like pencil drawings and as well as new ones such as using a sewing machine.

Who is someone you look up to, and what do you admire about them? 

Someone I really look up to, is Julian Alfred, a world class sprinter from Saint Lucia. Coming from such a tiny country, it’s not easy to gain recognition as there are fewer resources and opportunities. Julien shows that with hard work and determination, nothing is impossible. At the 2024 Paris Olympics she made history by winning gold in the 100m, the very first Olympic medal for Saint Lucia. As someone who plays a lot of sports including athletics, I admire her resilience and discipline, and she inspires me to believe that I too can achieve greatness and make my country proud one day.

If you could give one piece of advice to younger pupils in school, what would it be? 

My advice to younger pupils would be to always believe in yourself and never give up, no matter how tough things get. Success doesn’t come overnight, it takes discipline, patience, and hard work. Whether in school, sports, or life, stay focused on your goals, keep pushing through challenges, and remember that even small steps forward are progress.

Don’t be afraid to dream big, because where you come from doesn’t limit how far you can go.

How can younger pupils stay motivated, especially when school gets tough?

I think the best way to stay motivated when school gets tough is to find balance. Spend time with your friends because they can lift your mood and try to have a hobby you enjoy outside of school so you’re not stressing about work all the time. And if you’re struggling in class, don’t be afraid to talk to your teachers, they really do want to help, and it makes a big difference.