Sesika’s Amazing Journey: Five Years of Growth & Discovery 

Dance and Multicultural events – check, Choirs – check,  Digital Leadership, coding and cyber safety – check and many more – Sesika has embraced everything KES has to offer. We sat down with Sesika in her final term in year 11 to hear more about her journey at KES - as she’s become known as the girl who says “yes” to every opportunity. A journey Sesika herself describes as the KES Way – doing things with joy, energy and enthusiasm. 

It was therefore especially meaningful when Sesika spotted a Year 7 photograph of her performance on the poster for this year’s Dance Gala. For Sesika, this image captured everything about her incredible five-year journey at King Edward VI School. 

Celebrating Culture and Finding Confidence 

The Dance Gala story really began in Year 7. Sesika intimated that while she was eager  to dance, she was not particularly keen on performing an African dance. She would have preferred something more familiar – “just a contemporary song that everyone knows.” But her mum had other ideas, encouraging her to embrace her Ghanaian and East African heritage. 

Together, they created a costume from scratch using traditional Kente cloth from Ghana. After five years of performing at every dance gala, Sesika chose to wear that very same costume again for her final show at the Senior School in Year 11. “I found my old costume. It was buried somewhere, but still intact, still fits,” she laughs. She added some new fabric to freshen it up but kept the heart of the original. 

She also danced to the same song as she had back in Year 7 – but this time with  renewed confidence. “It just shows how far I’ve come,” she says. “I’m more confident and more open to try new things. I’m no longer afraid of standing out.” KES, she says, “exactly the place my parents and I anticipated when we were choosing a school; friendly and empowering.” 

Saying “Yes” to Everything 

Over the years, Sesika has rarely sat still. Her timetable outside of lessons is a whirlwind of activity. Dance, Orchestra, National Youth Choir, Cyber Ambassador conferences, Safer Internet Day assemblies, Music Mentoring, Digital Leadership, Art, Debating, Library Leadership and academic societies – if it’s available, Sesika has tried it. 

“Life at KES has been very busy but very enjoyable,” she says. “I’ve done so many clubs, activities and events which have helped me to make progress both academically and socially.” That confidence to throw herself in has become her hallmark – and it’s a mindset she credits KES with nurturing. 

“I honestly believe I can do anything now,” she says. “That confidence – to just try, even if it’s new or hard – has come from being at KES. It’s just such an encouraging place to grow up in.” 

Digital Leadership and Cyber Safety 

Amongst her many commitments, Sesika has held two key leadership roles for several years – Digital Leader and Cyber Ambassador – and she’s clear on what each involves. 

“A lot of people might confuse the two,” she explains. “Digital Leaders focus more on computer skills and coding, while Cyber Ambassadors are more about online safety and helping people who experience cyber bullying or scams.” 

One of her proudest moments was presenting assemblies for Safer Internet Day and attending regional Cyber Ambassador conferences. “It’s been very rewarding – not only learning about something I’m interested in but also being able to help friends and family when they have issues online.” 

Musical Growth and Mentoring 

Music has been another pillar of Sesika’s journey. Though she began learning violin before joining KES, things truly accelerated once she joined the school’s orchestra.  “It’s opened my eyes to so much more of the music I can play – and gave me confidence.” 

Singing, on the other hand, wasn’t something she originally took seriously. “It was more of a hobby,” she admits. That changed when Miss Wratten spotted her potential in the first-year choir and encouraged her to take lessons. That support led to her joining the chamber choir and eventually earning a place in the National Youth Choir – a major highlight of which was Sesika’s participation in National Youth Choir’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. 

Now, Sesika is mentoring others in the KES choir. “It’s really lovely seeing younger pupils grow in confidence,” she says. “It reminds me of myself when I was starting out.” 

Exploring the World – and the Future 

Sesika’s zeal for learning is amazing! She’s currently studying Further Maths, Economics, French, Art and History in addition to other subjects for her GCSEs. As if to quietly show that you can have fun while studying, Sesika has bagged a Head of School award, and four Bastick Awards – one for each year she has been at KES.  And for the future? She’s keeping her options open. Medicine? Possibly. Economics? Maybe. Performing arts? Perhaps. 

“I just enjoy so many things. I’m still figuring it out,” she says. “I don’t think I’ll know what I want to do until I try it – and that’s okay.” 

Economics, though, has already had an impact. “I used to find watching the news with my parents boring – all that talk about inflation and interest rates meant nothing to me. But now I understand it, and I can even join in the conversation.” 

She also values the classroom environment at KES. “Teachers always encourage you to go the extra mile, to ask more questions and challenge ideas. It’s not just about getting a grade – it’s about enjoyment and real understanding.” 

She speaks warmly of her classmates too: “We can have fun, laugh and joke, but also focus and work hard when we need to. It’s a great balance.” 

What Success Really Means 

Ask Sesika how she defines success, and her answer is simple: “Enjoyment.” 

“If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, it’s hard to be successful. A lot of people say that if you enjoy something, success will follow. I really believe that – and I think KES believes it too.” 

She’s not chasing grades for their own sake. “It’s not about a nine in a GCSE. If you’re enjoying yourself and growing, that’s the main thing.” 

Looking Back – and Ahead 

Looking back, Sesika thinks her Year 7 self would be amazed by everything she’s achieved. “I don’t think I’d believe it. I’d be so surprised that I’ve done all these things.” 

And if she could give her younger self one piece of advice? “Don’t be afraid – and do everything possible.” 

When asked to sum up KES in three words, her answer is instant: “Enriching, friendly and fun.” 

For a pupil who’s tried it all, those words couldn’t be more fitting.