Congratulations to Amelie Smith and Sam Dinsmore-McFarlane, elected as Lathallan School Consuls for the 2022/23 academic year.
The voting was extremely close, with the three other nominees – Daniel Wei, Marshall Mearns and Roly Awe – also delivering excellent pitches. Well done everyone for the work you put into this process and the passion you showed for the school.
Amelie, who is taking Advanced Highers in French, Spanish and Biology, is keen to use her role as Consul to build relationships and friendships across the Lathallan community. A keen linguist, she is also hoping to inspire our younger pupils to see the value in learning a language and showing an interest in other cultures.
Sam, who is studying Highers in Biology and Environmental Science, has a keen eye on sustainability. He joined the school in P5 and has been at Lathallan for the past nine years, including one year as head boy for the Junior School. He wants to use his passion for sport to bring the school community even closer together after the pandemic.
We spent a bit of time with our new Consuls before the school broke up for the summer holidays to learn more about what they hope to achieve during their tenure, the qualities they bring to the table, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
A big thank you to Esther Olorode and James Brown, our outgoing Consuls, for their hard work, with their role particularly challenging in the midst of the pandemic. We wish them all the best for the future and look forward to seeing the amazing things they will undoubtedly go on to achieve.
Why did you decide to run for Consul?
I have been at the school for six years and I felt that I owed it to them for how much they have done for me. I also feel passionately about inspiring young children, in the same way that I have been inspired during my time at Lathallan. I want to show them that whatever they dream, it is achievable.
What do you think makes you a great fit for the role?
I am quite well-known around the school now, I think, and well-respected, because I work hard on my studies, as well as on building relationships and friendships. This whole school is built on relationships – without that, you just have an empty building. As I have experienced myself, you learn better when you are in an environment where you feel safe and happy, and that is something I am focused on. I am also a good communicator, I accept and learn from my mistakes, and I take accountability for what I do.
What do you think you will most enjoy about being Consul?
I want to be the best Consul the school has had. I am excited about the opportunity because I think I will learn so much and every day will be different. Even though I am just one person, I do believe it is possible to make a big impact, and I look forward to building even stronger relationships with my teachers and fellow pupils in doing that. I also want to share positivity and aim to stand up regularly in assembly to talk about all the great stuff that is happening at the school.
What do you think will be your biggest challenge?
I think balancing the responsibilities of the role with my studies will be hard at times, but the main challenge for me will be public speaking. However, this is also something I am looking forward to improving as it will be a skill I will need in future.
Tell us a bit more about the role of Consul – what sort of things will you be doing?
I want to listen to everyone and to represent all voices, not just the loudest in the room, but the quiet ones too. An important part of being Consul is being a role model to others and developing positive connections with people. I want to be someone that the pupils feel they can approach and talk to, making everyone feel included and being kind.
How did you feel when you found out you’d been elected?
I was really shocked. I couldn’t believe it. I joined the school in my first year of senior school and, in that moment when I found out I’d been chosen, it felt like my whole life at Lathallan flashed by in front of me.
What are three things you think you bring to the role of Consul?
I am approachable, I am passionate about the things I care about and, most importantly, I am nice. I think we need more nice people in the world.
Why do you think people voted for you?
I think people voted for me because they believe in me, they trusted that I was the right person for the job, and that I will listen to them. I also think part of it was because I am relatable, which helps because, if you can’t relate to someone, how can you approach them and ask for help? I also put a lot of time and care into my speech. Some people told me it made them feel emotional, so that must have played a part too.
What are your post-Lathallan plans and how do you think taking on the role of Consul will prepare you for this?
I want to study Law with Languages at university, and I’d like to spend some time working in France and Spain, learning the different ways of life in those countries, learning more about the people and their cultures, and becoming fluent in those languages. At lot of what the role of Consul will give me is an opportunity to grow more independent and to learn to take on increasing levels of responsibility. Every day in the role I expect to improve. Also, within the fields of law and politics, public speaking skills are a must, so the role will help me with that too.
How do you intend to inspire the next generation of Lathallians?
I want to inspire people to be kind to one another and to cherish the relationships we have. When you go to school here, it can sometimes be easy to forget all that we have. But I want to encourage everyone to take a look around them and to feel grateful for this opportunity.
I also want to inspire some of the younger pupils in languages, by helping out with junior and senior French and Spanish; teaching the junior pupils and identifying those with talent that would benefit from having that skill nurtured (as it has been for me) and helping to set up study sessions for some of the older pupils.
What has been your favourite part of being a pupil at Lathallan to date and why?
My experience as a boarder has been the best part. It really has felt like being part of a family away from home and I would never have thought you could have that with a school.
Who has been your most important influence within the school community?
Miss McIlroy has encouraged me from the day I walked into school and has helped to show me what I want to do with my life. She very much supports me in every decision I make. There are several teachers I have strong relationships with at Lathallan, like Mr Wiltshire, my form tutor, and Mr Fernandez, who just tells you what he thinks and pushes you to be better. It’s great to feel so supported and safe in your learning.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time at Lathallan?
There are a few things – I am proud of how I have come out of my shell. I am also proud of sitting my Nat 5 in French at the age of 13. It felt very weird sitting in a room with people that were 16, and that looked so much bigger and older than me, but it’s something I am incredibly proud of. And I would also say doing the Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Hillwalking is not something I am the most talented at, but I was encouraged up to the top and it felt really good when I made it!
What’s your favourite film and why?
I don’t watch a lot of films, but I did enjoy watching some Disney films in French and Spanish. It’s like immersing yourself in the language without realising it.
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on and why?
Definitely the Dominican Republic. I’ve been there several times before and am going there again in the summer. I just love it. Everyone is so happy and appreciative, and kind to one another.
If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring?
My cat Kayla. I’ve had her since I was three years old and am obsessed with her. We have been best friends since I was young. Water, just in case. And books, to try and read a bit more.
When are you happiest?
When I am on holiday or around my friends and family.
How would you most like to be remembered?
You don’t remember what people said or did, but you do remember how they made you feel. I want people to feel good, to feel valued, to feel appreciated. So that’s how I’d like to be remembered. If I can do that, even just for a couple of people, that would be my ultimate goal.
Why did you decide to run for Consul?
I thought I’d get a lot out of it and learn some future leadership skills. I’m determined to make a change, which was harder for our Consuls over the past couple of years because of Covid.
What do you think makes you a great fit for the role?
I’ve been at the school a long time, so I know it well. I am energetic and dedicated to getting things done with a smile on my face.
What do you think you will most enjoy about being Consul?
I will most enjoy being able to make a change and having a positive impact on the school as I do that. I want to introduce clubs, working with the teachers to introduce pupils to new activities.
I love sport and would like to get people involved in sport at lunchtime. My personal favourite is football, which I know would be popular, but also other, more obscure sports, like Danish Longball (a hybrid of rounders and cricket).
During Covid, it was really difficult for a lot of pupils and it had a big impact on lots of peoples’ mental health, being isolated at home and worried about exams. I’m excited about us all being back together at school and getting everyone used to the Lathallan we knew and loved before we had to move to learning remotely.
What do you think will be your biggest challenge?
There will always be limits to what we are able to get done because of external factors like Covid or money, but I know there are lots of good ideas so I’m not too worried about that. My fellow pupils know we won’t be able to achieve everything, but that we will try our hardest. The biggest challenge for me will be making my speech next year on Presentation Day in front of all the parents and pupils.
How did you feel when you found out you’d been elected?
I was extremely happy. I’d been very nervous because, in the build-up to the big day, I’d injured myself during the Rugby 7s tournament and, the day before the presentation speeches, I had to go to Glasgow for a scan of my collarbone. So, rather than being there in person, I had to make a video. I tried to be more creative with it, filming myself in different locations around the school. I thought I wouldn’t win because I wasn’t there.
What are three things you think you bring to the role of Consul?
I am quite energetic. I have been told I am quite caring, that I care what people say and do, and that I am always willing to listen. Finally, I would say I am determined. This is something that I’ve really picked up on recently, especially in S5. I wanted to work really hard, as hard as possible, to ensure I could get the best grades I was capable of.
Why do you think people voted for you?
I think part of it was the video I made. No Consul had ever done that before and I think that made it something a bit different that people weren’t used to seeing. A friend of mine that used to go to Lathallan helped me to edit the video in a way that made it humorous and memorable.
What are your post-Lathallan plans and how do you think taking on the role of Consul will prepare you for this?
I’d like to go to Glasgow University to study geography and, when it comes to looking for a job after I graduate, I thought the leadership qualities of this role would help me stand out.
Whatever I go on to do will probably involve the study of the earth. Geography is really useful, especially nowadays with the focus on the planet and that’s something that, as Consuls, we’ll be heavily involved in at school. Miss Jordan, who teaches Biology, is a big inspiration because she is always working to help make the school greener.
How do you intend to inspire the next generation of Lathallians?
When I filmed my Consul video, I wore a suit and glasses. I didn’t do that to make people laugh, but to show that you don’t have to take yourself too seriously, that it’s okay to be yourself – even in front of lots of people. That’s what I want to bring to the role – to show people that you don’t need to change and that it’s okay to be yourself.
What has been your favourite part of being a pupil at Lathallan to date and why?
The class sizes at Lathallan are really small which is great because it means you all become really close and become really good friends, no matter who you are or whether you have different opinions to those around you. At Lathallan, everyone comes together as a class and a community, and I’ve had some of my best times here – whether on the rugby pitches, playing at break times or hanging out with my friends.
Who has been your most important influence within the school community?
Miss Jordan – my form tutor and teacher for Higher Biology and Environmental Science. She is always really happy, even when I am being a typical ‘teenager’, and she is always there to make sure I am doing okay. I want to be like that, to always have a smile on my face, even when it’s not easy.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time at Lathallan?
The first is being chosen as Consul. I’ve wanted this since I was in S3, so that’s a huge achievement for me. In junior school, I was the head boy, so that makes this even more of an accomplishment, and I know my family and friends are really proud of me.
My second proudest achievement was playing Rugby 15s. Mr Gabriel-Clark and Mr Nicol have really got me into rugby and, when we played against Dundee High, I scored a try, which was a great feeling.
What’s your favourite film and why?
The Dark Knight (Batman) because I really like superhero films and also because the actor that played the Joker (Heath Ledger) did a really good job.
What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on and why?
Something we try to do every year is to go to Salcombe (South Devon). We have a lot of family there, my aunty, uncle and cousins, and it’s really nice in the summer, very sunny!
If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring?
Food, a boat and someone that can sail the boat!
When are you happiest?
When I’m with my friends or listening to my favourite music.
How would you most like to be remembered?
As someone that made a change as Consul, someone that worked hard and someone that was always happy.