We’re excited to introduce Joe R from Burton Bank House, who began his journey at Mill Hill as part of the Saracens Academy Partnership. He is also a recipient of both a Bursary and a Scholarship. He is now thriving in his final year at Mill Hill Sixth Form.

Tell us about yourself... 

Hello, I'm Joe, currently in the Upper Sixth here at Mill Hill. I study History, Politics and PE and I'm hoping to go to Loughborough University to study Sports Exercise and Psychology whilst also playing for their high performance Rugby Team. I am a current Bursary and Scholarship recipient and was appointed as a Senior Monitor during my time here. I joined Mill Hill in Sixth Form as part of the Saracens Academy Partnership.

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

Yes. I have had the pleasure of being a Senior Monitor for the past two years! The best thing I’ve learnt from this experience is that being a leader is not being in charge but taking care of those in your charge. I also learnt that how I carry myself around the school is important as I want to be a role model for many of the younger pupils. I also learnt that it is important to give back your time to the school and display selflessness in your actions. At the end of the day.... this school has given me everything and it is the least I could do!

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

I am involved in the Rugby Performance programme here. I am a current 1stXV player. I really enjoy the social aspect of it knowing that post A Levels I will still have the rugby community with me, with the Old Millhillians Rugby. I also really enjoy the challenging and competitive environment where I can develop my skills, and also enhance other skills such as working under pressure which can directly affect my work in the classroom.

What is your favourite subject? 

History was my favourite subject because it brought the past to life, revealing how events, decisions, and individuals shaped the world we live in today. It wasn’t just about memorizing dates, it was about understanding the complexities of human nature, the rise and fall of civilizations, and the patterns that continue to repeat.

History gave me a deeper perspective on current events and a sense of connection to those who came before us. It taught me to think critically, question narratives, and appreciate the power of stories that define our shared past.

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

I look up to my dad.

He's my hero and I've always admired how he takes everything in his stride and has such a positive outlook on life. I admire his desire to take on new challenges despite the outcome potentially being bad. He never fails to keep me motivated on and off the pitch in everything I do, and he has consistently turned up for everything in the past 11 years which in my eyes is very important. I admire his confidence and courage when things get challenging. If I ever wanted to grow up to be someone, it would be my dad, I wouldn't ask for anyone else.

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

One bit of advice I would give to younger pupils is stick with things but also try new things! It's always better to try something and not like it than not try and it and never get to experience it again.

A place like Mill Hill provides so many opportunities to try new things so I would say grasp it with both hands and go for it. I know that school can get tough for various reasons. I know that the pressure and stress of school life can be demanding on oneself, so what I would say is try not to think about everything. If you can’t be in control of it, let it happen. Only try and control the controllable in life. That will lead to a more stress-free life.