BAFTA winner Malachi kirby and black apprentince network visit Christ's Hospital School
This article was written by one of our Young Reporters, a scheme that gives 14 to 18-year-old school students a chance to write for a real newspaper. Find out more at the Young Reporter website.
Last month, Christ’s hospital school students were given the opportunity to attend a talk hosted by returning guest, Amani Simpson! Amani Simpson is an award-winning youth coach, social entrepreneur, filmmaker and Barclays elevate.
Simpson spoke to the audience in a youthful manner whilst continuously encouraging the crowd throughout the night. He provided a friendly and comfortable atmosphere, even referring to the students as his own ‘cousins’. Amani then went on to talk to the students about what he does, growing up in north London and how he went on to become a motivational figure. He also mentioned the event of having been stabbed and how that shaped him as a person.
Throughout the night, students were encouraged to talk and ask questions in order for the event to feel more of like a chat.
Amani then invited his three other panellists on to the stage. The lineup included: Pharrell morgan, Kwesi Bimpong and Elijah Olanipekun. Both Elijah and Kwesi are co-founders of the black apprentice program, which is a UK based program established to be able support apprentice of Afro-Caribbean descent. Kwesi also shared his experiences as an apprentice at Goldman Sachs while Pharrell described his experiences as a Samsung apprentice. The three of them continued to provide insight to the students that may be interested in an degree apprenticeships
Bailey, a year 11 student, when asked about degree apprenticeships said ‘The talk really changed my degree apprenticeships, I always thought that my goal was to go to university but now I am really considering a degree apprenticeships’
Later on, to the student’s surprise Amani brought out one last guest. Christs hospital had the exciting opportunity to host BAFTA winning writer and actor, Malachi kirby! Malachi kirby stars in the HULU show ‘a thousand blows’ alongside the Netflix series adolescence stars Erin Doherty and Stephen graham.
Maka, a year 10 student, commented ‘It was amazing to see such an amazing actor talk at my school’s own theatre, honestly a surreal experience’
Malachi spoke to the students through to the end of the evening. He inspired, motivated and energised many in the crowd. All students listened attentively as he described what it is like to work in such a high-end industry
Simi, a year 10 student, shared ‘He was such a great speaker honestly, what he said was so eye opening’
The school is so grateful to be able to host such influential figures, inspiring and incentivising students of a range of year group. They hope that they will be able to have this amazing opportunity yet again in the future!
