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Newly Elected Head Students
Two talented young academics have been elected to the schools’ top student jobs, Marcus Clarke the new Head Boy and Mariyah Selmi the new Head Girl.
Marcus and Mariyah have been travelling to school on the bus from Southport together throughout their school careers. The firm friends disagree about very little, however, which is the better school: Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School or Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School, is certainly a contentious issue!
Marcus, 17, said: “We are very good friends and have been getting the bus together from Rufford for years, but there is a rivalry. However, it’s all good natured as everyone knows already that Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School is the better school.” Mariyah, 17, quickly countered: “Marcus may well disagree that Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School is the better school, but we will see as the year continues. MTGS is the way you spell success.”
Aside of the rivalry; both Marcus and Mariyah are greatly looking forward to working closely in their new roles. As Marcus puts it, “The schools may have their own identity, but we work together closely all the time, such as last year’s production of Grease and this year’s production of King Lear.”
Mariyah added: “Both schools do get on well together, school productions, charity events and musical concerts are organised by both head boys’ and head girls’ teams. There is friendly rivalry between us both, but we are both aware of each others’ strengths so we will make sure that the right person is doing the right job.”
Both had to undergo rigorous selection procedures to earn the office. Mariyah was elected in a poll of Year 12, Year 13 pupils and MTGS teachers, while Marcus had to first be nominated, before a vote among the Sixth Form and teachers, finally followed by an interview with the Headmaster.
Marcus, who is a First XV front row forward and hopes to study Land Economy at Cambridge next year, said: “Inside the school I will aim to be a role model for the younger pupils. For external duties it is important to be an ambassador.” Mariyah, an active charity volunteer who hopes to study Medicine at Imperial College, London, calls to position a ‘tremendous honour’ and says she is looking forward to organising some fantastic events.
MTBS Headmaster David Cook reckons that the rivalry certainly adds a “little spice” to the relationship, but made it clear that “in reality, both the Boys’ and Girls’ schools are wonderful institutions that do the very best for all their pupils.” MTGS Headmistress Louise Robinson said that “Both Mariyah and Marcus are ambitious and talented young people with a strong sense both of duty and fun, ideal role models for pupils at both schools.”
