Class of 2025 leaver Owen is celebrating an exciting new chapter in his academic journey after achieving an exceptional set of results, gaining four A grades at Advanced Higher and taking the next step to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. 

Owen is no stranger to being busy. Alongside the demands of studying four advanced highers in his final year at the College, he took up the opportunity to play the saxophone for the first time, completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition, and continued his love of badminton through co-curricular sport. He also gained valuable insights during his work experience with Boskalis, which further fuelled his interest in engineering and problem-solving. 

Speaking about his rewarding yet challenging timetable and his memories during his time at school, he said: “Juggling badminton, picking up the saxophone, and accompanying the Development team to Former Pupil events, all whilst studying four Advanced Highers, was a tough challenge. However, I was able to keep on top of all of my schoolwork by using my non-contact periods wisely, attending multiple after-school study sessions, and staying after class to ask questions to my teachers, who always made time to help.

“Being part of the Senior Concert and Jazz Band, despite only starting to play the saxophone last year, was an incredible and wonderful experience that I wish I could do all over again. Playing a piece you have been working on for months on a stage next to your friends with the whole school watching is an experience I'll never forget. 

“My Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition was also memorable. Working together with some of your closest friends to survive outdoors for four days sounds tough, but it may have been the most fun I've ever had. The companionship and teamwork we shared even through the endless swarms of midges was a wild but fun test of our spirit, one you could never experience anywhere else.

“Being exposed to so many different people, for example the MIT students who visited RGC and the orators during the T&E sessions, and having the chance to meet and speak with them, helped me figure out my next steps in my education: becoming an engineer, and understanding how to get there. 

“As well as this, having such close connections with every teacher in the school allowed me to diversify my skills and bloomed my love not just for maths and the sciences, but also music, marketing, space, religion and sport.

“Finally, I really enjoyed working with the Development team to share my RGC journey with former pupils. Being able to see and understand how RGC operates from the inside, not just as a school or a business, but as a charity, gave me a newfound appreciation for the College.”