The text below has been written by Aayan Afgan, Class of 2026, and offers a beautiful and heartfelt recollection of his time at Latymer. Through his reflections, Aayan captures some of the experiences, friendships, challenges and opportunities that shaped his seven years at the school, as well as the memories that he will take with him as he begins the next chapter of his journey. 

Aayan's words are a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact that a Latymer education can have, and of the many moments, both big and small, that make a student's time at the school so memorable. 

We wish Aayan every success and happiness as he embarks on his BSc International Social and Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London. We look forward to hearing about all that he goes on to achieve and hope that he will remain a proud member of the Latymer community for many years to come!

Seven years. 

It still feels strange writing that. I've spent over a third of my life at Latymer, and somehow those seven years have gone by incredibly quickly. From Year 7 to Year 13, these corridors and classrooms have been the backdrop to some of my happiest memories, my closest friendships, plenty of successes and failures, and, most importantly, the person I've grown into. 

When I first arrived, I was an 11-year-old with absolutely no idea what the next seven years would have in store. Year 13 felt so far away that I couldn't even imagine it. At that point, all I wanted was to make it through the first day without embarrassing myself. 

It's funny how the smallest moments ended up having the biggest impact. At lunch on that first day, I sat down with two people I'd never met before. There wasn't any organised icebreaker or clever plan - I just needed somewhere to sit. Seven years later, those two strangers are still two of my closest friends. I think that says a lot about Latymer. Friendships weren't something that had to be forced; they just happened naturally through lessons, lunch breaks, school trips, and all the little moments in between. 

I also remember one of my very first lessons. The teacher asked everyone to silence their phones, and, like quite a few people back then, I pulled out one of those old brick phones that could barely do anything except call and text. She looked over and said, "Is that a phone?" For a split second, I genuinely thought I'd already managed to get myself into trouble. Then she smiled, the class laughed, and I realised she was joking about how ancient it looked. It seems like such a small moment now, but it completely changed how I felt. Instead of spending the rest of the lesson worrying, I relaxed. Looking back, that sums up something I experienced throughout my time here: the teachers expected a lot from us, but they also knew how to make us feel welcome. 

One thing I grew to appreciate more and more was that life at Latymer didn't stop when lessons finished. There was always something happening, and some of my favourite memories came from everything outside the classroom. 

Over the years, I joined Engineering Society, Badminton Club and Foreign Film Society. I was lucky enough to go to Conway, represent the school cricket team, perform in several concerts, and take part in House Music and House Sport. One of my earliest memories is performing in the Year 7 Winter Concert. I was feeling nervous beforehand, but afterwards I remember feeling proud to have been part of it. 

Of course, not everything went according to plan. Like everyone else, COVID meant missing out on opportunities, including what would have been an unforgettable ski trip. Even so, once things returned to normal, so did everything that makes school life special—the clubs, the trips, the competitions, the concerts, and all the opportunities to get involved. Looking back now, I'm glad I said yes to as many of those opportunities as I could, because they've given me some memories I'll remember long after I've left Latymer. 

If my first few years at Latymer were about finding my place, then Sixth Form was about finding my voice. 

Sixth Form felt like a completely different experience. There was a real shift in the amount of independence we were given. Teachers still expected a lot from us, but they also treated us more like young adults than school students. We were trusted to manage our free periods, take responsibility for our work, and think seriously about what came next. Whether it was guidance with personal statements, preparing for entrance exams, or simply having conversations about our futures, it always felt as though the school was helping us take the next step rather than telling us what to do. 

With that independence came the confidence to get involved in ways I never would have imagined a few years earlier. I had the privilege of leading the Economics Society, serving on the Latymer Equality Action Plan as Co-Head of the Islamic Society, and founding the Model United Nations Society. While I could always have started something myself lower down the school, Sixth Form made it feel much more achievable. Having free periods, greater responsibility and the encouragement of teachers meant that ideas didn't just stay ideas - they became reality. 

I also found myself contributing to the school in ways I hadn't expected. I began writing articles for both the school and alumni websites, which gave me the chance to celebrate the achievements and experiences of other students while developing a completely new skill myself. Looking back now, it's funny to think that someone who arrived in Year 7 simply hoping to get through the first day would one day be writing about school for its own website. 

More than anything, Sixth Form gave me the confidence to take opportunities that I probably would have shied away from a few years earlier. Time and time again, Latymer encouraged me to try something new. Looking back now, I'm incredibly glad I said yes. Those experiences have shaped me just as much as anything I learned in the classroom, and they're a huge part of the reason I'm leaving not just with qualifications, but with confidence in the person I've become. 

As I am about to start university, I'd like to think I'm a more mature and independent person. There's still plenty for me to learn, of course, but I feel ready for whatever comes next. 

That doesn't mean everything has gone perfectly. There were definitely moments where things didn't work out the way I'd hoped. After Year 12, I didn't achieve the grades I was aiming for, and at the time it felt like a real setback. Looking back now, though, I'm glad I didn't let that define me. With the support of my teachers, I was able to pick myself up, work even harder, and prove to myself that one disappointing set of results doesn't decide your future. I think that's one of the most valuable lessons I've learnt here: setbacks are only setbacks if you let them be. 

When I think about what I'll miss most, it won't just be the lessons or even the routine of school life - it'll be the people. Over the years, so many of my teachers became people I genuinely looked up to. They weren't just there to teach the syllabus; they challenged me, encouraged me, listened when I needed advice, and celebrated the good moments with me too. As I've got older, I've realised how lucky I've been to have teachers who cared as much about the people we were becoming as they did about the grades we achieved. 

As I move on to university, I know I'll be taking much more than what I learnt from textbooks. I'll take the confidence to speak up, the resilience to deal with things when they don't go to plan, and the curiosity to keep asking questions. More than anything, I'll take the mindset that Latymer has given me: to keep pushing myself, to make the most of every opportunity, and not to be afraid of trying something new. 

Before I finish, there are a few people I simply have to thank. To Mr Ogidi and Ms Vu, thank you for making Economics one of the highlights of my week - you genuinely set the standard for what great teaching looks like. To Mr Magnus, thank you for making every Latin lesson memorable and for being, without doubt, the funniest teacher I've had. To Mr Ninkovic, thank you for your guidance, encouragement and support as Head of Year, especially when it mattered most. To Mr Banbury, thank you for being an amazing coach for the football and cricket teams, and thank you for being someone that you could easily have a light-hearted conversation with. 

Thank you to Ms Manion and Ms Morris for everything you did behind the scenes to support students, to Ms Skidalski for being such a fantastic form tutor during my GCSE years, and to Mrs Fritzsch for her support and reassurance throughout that time as Assistant Head of Year. 

To Ms Ferracane and Dr Quinn, thank you for pushing me to think more critically and for making Politics one of the most engaging subjects I studied. To Mrs Smith and Ms Muthuramar, thank you for all your patience, encouragement and support in Maths. To Ms Dharsee, thank you for making one of the most challenging A Level subjects genuinely enjoyable, and to Ms Cami, thank you for giving me the opportunity to write for the school and alumni websites - it's been a privilege to contribute to something that has given me so much. 

Seven years ago, I couldn't wait for my first day to be over. Now, I wish there were just a few more. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey. While I'm excited for what's next, I'll always be grateful for everything Latymer has given me, and I'll always be proud to have called it home.

Seven years ago, I couldn't wait for my first day to be over. Now, I wish there were just a few more. Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey. While I'm excited for what's next, I'll always be grateful for everything Latymer has given me, and I'll always be proud to have called it home.

Aayan (left) in Year 13 in the South Asian Society.

Aayan (3rd from the left) during an RE trip to Bhaktivedanta Manor in Year 11.

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