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Head Prefect’s Farewell Reflection

6/5/2026

Sakina R, Head Prefect

I recently reconnected with a former Millie after some time, and she noted how much more grounded and confident I seemed. Her words completely shocked me. For a long time, I viewed myself as the kind of kid who felt safest hiding behind her mother’s back. But when I walked through the doors of St. Mildred’s-Lightbourn School in Grade 9, I made a promise to step outside my comfort zone. I wanted SMLS to be the place where I finally discovered who I was meant to be.

Looking back, I realize how easily SMLS nurtures that growth. In a world that often tells young women to shrink themselves, our school hardwires an important truth into us: that women belong in the spotlight, driving change and leading the way. This conviction isn't born overnight but woven into the very air we breathe. It lives in a culture that trades perfectionism for courage. We see it in the small moments, such as presenting during chapel and looking out to see your peers cheering you on, or catching the reassuring smiles of Junior School Millies when your voice falters. At SMLS, leadership is a shared journey of self-discovery, where we are constantly taught to try.

Serving as your Head Prefect has taught me to step outside of my comfort zone. SMLS has transformed my definition of courage, shaping me into a leader who steps into the spotlight with intention, forever backed by the pillar of confidence I gained here.

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