Written by Mrs Kate-Lynne Grinyer Bouwer, Teacher of English.

The Downe House English Department strongly believes in the motto ‘Inspiring Girls’ which is why we choose to welcome the Remove to our community through studying the autobiographies of Michelle Obama and Malala Yousafzai.

We use Obama and Yousafzai as examples of how to use our voices effectively and so we look at letter and speech writing. This year our Remove each wrote letters to Michelle Obama to explain how her message of courage, kindness and confidence inspired them at a time of great change in their lives.

Just like how you were educated at Princeton, the school of your dreams, I started at Downe House, a school where I can be myself and more.

Remove pupil

It was therefore a great privilege to receive a letter from Michelle Obama responding to our letters!

I always say that becoming is a lifelong journey, and I wish you all the best for a beautiful and exciting journey ahead.

Michelle Obama

A fantastic end to the ‘Inspiring Women’ scheme of work with the girls feeling even more inspired about their futures.