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Recent News
*This writeup is the first in a series of articles we'd like to share about the different challenges we all face in school. In this issue, Maya Velani tells her story about living with ulcerative colitis.*
Hi my name is Maya, I'm in year 12 and I'm going to tell you about the difficulties I've faced going through high school with a chronic illness and how I've overcome them.
I have a condition called ulcerative colitis where my large intestine can get inflamed leading to frequent visits to the toilet and terrible cramps.
When I was diagnosed I found it hard to cope in lessons and missed a lot of work. This didn't help me as it stressed me out which made my condition worse.
On top of this I was put on steroids for a whole year which made me gain a lot of weight, this wasn't great for my self esteem as I was worried people were constantly judging me. I was nervous to use my toilet pass for the same reason. I quickly realised it didn't matter what others thought my health mattered most and people probably weren't judging me as much as I thought.
I was still however having bad days and getting stressed about being behind in work. This is when I learnt that I had to tell teachers when I wasn't feeling well so I would stop putting too much pressure on myself to be 'perfect'.
It was hard in the beginning and still can be sometimes but I've learnt to not worry about others opinions, to stop putting pressure on myself and to tell teachers when I'm having bad days. The last one is particularly important because sometimes telling others helps you feel better even if sometimes it's just a friend it will always help a little.
Hi my name is Maya, I'm in year 12 and I'm going to tell you about the difficulties I've faced going through high school with a chronic illness and how I've overcome them.
I have a condition called ulcerative colitis where my large intestine can get inflamed leading to frequent visits to the toilet and terrible cramps.
When I was diagnosed I found it hard to cope in lessons and missed a lot of work. This didn't help me as it stressed me out which made my condition worse.
On top of this I was put on steroids for a whole year which made me gain a lot of weight, this wasn't great for my self esteem as I was worried people were constantly judging me. I was nervous to use my toilet pass for the same reason. I quickly realised it didn't matter what others thought my health mattered most and people probably weren't judging me as much as I thought.
I was still however having bad days and getting stressed about being behind in work. This is when I learnt that I had to tell teachers when I wasn't feeling well so I would stop putting too much pressure on myself to be 'perfect'.
It was hard in the beginning and still can be sometimes but I've learnt to not worry about others opinions, to stop putting pressure on myself and to tell teachers when I'm having bad days. The last one is particularly important because sometimes telling others helps you feel better even if sometimes it's just a friend it will always help a little.
Our women seem to feel more unsafe than ever in the wake of Sarah Everard's murder a couple of weeks ago. Please take a look at the women's rights poster on this page by Lily-Ella Hall, in Year 10. Some of the numbers included are stark reminders we all have a duty to ensure women feel safe. She has also written a piece to go with it!
"I believe women’s rights are very important yet they’re not as recognised as people think in today’s society. Women’s rights are important and relevant as women had to fight to earn their rights in today’s modern world and women are slowly becoming more powerful in the industry. As women, they have the rights to be able to wear what they want, have equal amounts of jobs and to be treated equally."
As Senior students we are here to help deal with your concerns, we are priviledged to have this platform and appreciate any contributions students give. Women's rights is a urgent topic in the news currently and we are so pleased to see students so involved and aware of the change that needs to occur. In future blogs, we hope to continue discussing a wide range of issues we are also deeply passionate about.
If you feel strongly about something, and want to feature it in a blog, email us on seniorstudents@fitzalan.cardiff.sch.uk!
"I believe women’s rights are very important yet they’re not as recognised as people think in today’s society. Women’s rights are important and relevant as women had to fight to earn their rights in today’s modern world and women are slowly becoming more powerful in the industry. As women, they have the rights to be able to wear what they want, have equal amounts of jobs and to be treated equally."
As Senior students we are here to help deal with your concerns, we are priviledged to have this platform and appreciate any contributions students give. Women's rights is a urgent topic in the news currently and we are so pleased to see students so involved and aware of the change that needs to occur. In future blogs, we hope to continue discussing a wide range of issues we are also deeply passionate about.
If you feel strongly about something, and want to feature it in a blog, email us on seniorstudents@fitzalan.cardiff.sch.uk!
Before the Easter break, sixth form students embarked on a journey guiding year 11 through their formal assessments and assisting them with their A-level options.
The mentoring scheme is the brainchild of year 12 and Senior Students' leader on careers, Ahbab Ali.
Mentor, Zakariya Chowdhury, said "I have gained a great sense of satisfaction in seeking to ease this burden meanwhile enhancing my connection to the school."
"Overall, I think by having someone who can empathise with your struggles and can help you overcome them, it can form a healthy relationship especially during any assessment season predicaments you may find yourself in."
Meanwhile, another mentor, Jami Chowdhury, expressed "The peer mentor scheme is an amazing prospect for year 11 students to receive tips and advice from experienced students. I can say that this scheme benefits these students during the current exam period and especially in a pandemic."
Year 11 students are not the only party to be learning from new experiences, as the mentors are learning lots about their own futures.
Malak Grira says it has allowed her to "get some clarity on what I intend to do in the future and it further motivated it me to work hard."
"Working with my mentor has really allowed us to connect and form a really strong bond over what we both enjoy in terms of academics and future aspirations."
The mentoring scheme is the brainchild of year 12 and Senior Students' leader on careers, Ahbab Ali.
Mentor, Zakariya Chowdhury, said "I have gained a great sense of satisfaction in seeking to ease this burden meanwhile enhancing my connection to the school."
"Overall, I think by having someone who can empathise with your struggles and can help you overcome them, it can form a healthy relationship especially during any assessment season predicaments you may find yourself in."
Meanwhile, another mentor, Jami Chowdhury, expressed "The peer mentor scheme is an amazing prospect for year 11 students to receive tips and advice from experienced students. I can say that this scheme benefits these students during the current exam period and especially in a pandemic."
Year 11 students are not the only party to be learning from new experiences, as the mentors are learning lots about their own futures.
Malak Grira says it has allowed her to "get some clarity on what I intend to do in the future and it further motivated it me to work hard."
"Working with my mentor has really allowed us to connect and form a really strong bond over what we both enjoy in terms of academics and future aspirations."
