Emily Hunter

How long have you been at Teesside High School?

I started at Teesside High School in 2018 in Year 7. I found a love for team sports, especially hockey, and also for track and field athletics. I was also greatly encouraged to pursue creative arts, where I unexpectedly discovered a love for performing.

What has been the highlight of your time at Teesside High School?

The highlight of my time at Teesside High School so far was probably the last day of Year 11. Whilst it was a very sad to mark the end of our time in the Senior School, it was very clear how much of a family we had become since most of us met in Year 7.

Which subjects are you studying?

I am currently studying A-level Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

What are your aspirations beyond Teesside High School?

After Sixth Form, I intend to study Veterinary Medicine. I have started gaining work experience at some local Veterinary Practices and farms. I hope to study the veterinary course offered by either Harper and Keele Veterinary University or the University of Edinburgh.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I am part of the Whitehorse Explorer Scouts Unit. I have been going to scouts since I was 9 years old. I enjoy attending lots of county events and representing my troop in events. I also love reading books; I particularly enjoy fantasy books with dragons in. I also design cards for my friends and family.

I have swum every week for almost all my life. Currently I train every week at Northallerton Swimming Club, and I have been swimming there for six years. I attend club trials once a year where I enjoy competing against my fellow club swimmers.  I am also part of Northallerton Gymnastics Club. I have been part of the club for two years but I have been doing gymnastics since I was 8 years old. I’m also learning to coach gymnastics at my club and I help out with the junior group every Saturday morning. I did trampolining for seven years but had to stop when I joined the gymnastics club. I still enjoy coaching trampolining and I have been helping with the trampolining club at school since Year 9.

My favourite experience in PE at THS was when, through the local district schools athletics competition, I qualified to represent Cleveland County in high jump at Gateshead International stadium. I placed 9th out of 13 and I competed against athletes from Cleveland, North Yorkshire, Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland. I was so excited and the atmosphere in the stadium was amazing.

On the creative arts side, I have been playing Piano since Year 6. I am currently working towards Grade 6. I am also part of the school orchestra and string club where I play cello. In addition to this, I am part of the school choir. My favourite experience with the performing arts department was the visit to Paris in 2023. We performed twice in incredible venues, visited Disneyland and saw the beautiful sites around Paris.

What are you going to bring to your role?

For my role as Performing Arts Captain, I would like to encourage the use of the practice rooms, as not everyone knows that they can be used. I would also like to encourage more boys to get involved in the Music department. Some of our ensembles are mostly composed of girls! Lots of boys take music lessons, but they do not perform as much in ensembles. I would like for a few boys-only music ensembles to be created in the hopes that it would create a friendly environment for boys to build their confidence for performing. I would also like to find a way for students that do not have lessons in school to be known to the music department, as many of these talented students do not perform as often at school events.

For my role as Games Captain, I would like to further encourage Sixth Form participation in sport and find ways that allow Sixth Form students to help out more in coaching younger pupils in sports clubs. I would also like for all students to have more say over the sports they can participate in.