This week, Year 6 were very lucky to have two doctors come into school to deliver talks as part of their enrichment programme. On Tuesday, Dr Saira Hameed Greenwold spoke to the girls about the path she had taken to become a doctor in the NHS. Dr Greenwold is a Consultant in Endocrinology and Diabetes at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and a Senior Tutor and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London. The girls instantly warmed to the discussion when they were told about the immediate need for female doctors in the world. The talk challenged the contemporary notions of doctors being a male led profession and how this needs to change. Year 6 were then tasked with interview questions used by Imperial College which they passed with flying colours. They then had to give a set of diagnoses from hypothetical symptoms of potential patients. This was a thoroughly engaging presentation with everyone feeling refreshed and eager to learn more.
The following morning, the class were given yet another outstanding Careers Talk from Dr Maryam Zamani. Dr Zamani specialises as an oculist and has extended her career into setting up a business in skin cosmetics which are sold globally under her own personal brand, MZ Skin. The girls were amazed to hear about her experience of treating children with cleft palates focused in and around Southeast Asia. Dr Zamani’s journey then took her to London, where she has completed hundreds of hours of surgery. This saw her career springboard into magazines, television, podcasts and more.
Both presentations emphasised the importance of building a family alongside a successful career as a woman. Year 6 have now taken part in five exceptional talks from wide ranging professions, covering business entrepreneurship, ownership of a luxury boxing gym, the world of law and becoming a barrister, and doctors specialising in different fields. The girls are already looking forward to next week with their next talk from Olympic rower, James Lindsay-Fynn.
Mr Russell, Year 6 Class Teacher
