This year’s guest speaker for the Bolton School Girls’ Division Presentation Evening was acclaimed author and Old Girl Monica Ali (Class of 1986). Her hugely successful debut novel Brick Lane was shortlisted for multiple awards following its publication in 2003, and has since been adapted into a film. Her most recent novel Love Marriage became an instant Sunday Times bestseller.
She joined parents, families, staff and students in the Great Hall for this prestigious occasion, which annually celebrates the achievements of Girls’ Division students.
Monica’s fascinating and empowering address, which followed the presentation of GCSEs, A Levels and School Prizes, began with a question: What is your purpose in life?
Monica began her address by explaining her belief that purpose isn’t a treasure to find, but a habit to practise. Rather than a single ‘lightning bolt’ moment, Monica compared purpose to a dimmer switch that can be turned up through many tiny choices over time. Defining purpose as: “what you’re curious about, plus what you’re willing to practice, plus who benefits from it, other than you”, she then went on to explain how she came up with her formula, which she related directly back to her own life since her school days in the Girls’ Division.
At the age of 16, the idea of becoming a writer was, Monica believed, an impossible dream. After studying PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) at Oxford University, Monica worked in publishing, design and copywriting, and though none of it was her ‘calling’, she believed that none of that time was wasted: she had learned something from every stage, and each one had nudged her in the right direction.
Reflecting on her career as an author, Monica said: “I learned that certainty is overrated, but usefulness is a muscle you can build through repetition.” Exploring what usefulness looks like for her, as a writer, she shared how her characters and books have helped her readers, and said that writing isn’t about self-expression but about connection.
Monica went on to talk about three myths about finding one’s purpose and how to combat them. Instead of trying to discover ‘one true calling’, she advised making ‘spark’ and ‘drag’ lists to see what makes you feel absorbed or energised. Rather than thinking that ‘passion comes first’, she challenged everyone to pick a focus and commit to it for 20 minutes, five days a week, and at the end show one person the outcome of that commitment: passion follows practise. The final myth – ‘When I’m confident, I’ll start’ – could be offset, Monica said, by remembering that “confidence is a receipt, not a down payment”, and by considering who would be helped by your efforts, which often works to shrink the nerves down to a manageable size.
Finally, she summed up how to build purpose with a reiteration of ‘the Bolton Three’: What sparks my curiosity? What am I practising? Who does it help? In regularly answering those questions, Monica said, though she couldn’t promise a lightning bolt, the dimmer switch will be turned up: bringing more light into your life, but also shedding more light on others.
Following the address, Head Girl Madeleine thanked Monica for her speech and her inspirational words of advice.
The programme for Presentation Evening also included a musical performance of ‘Vignette’ by Paul Edis, performed on piano by Year 12 student Amy, and the audience was invited to join in singing two hymns: ‘I Vow to Thee my Country’ and ‘Jerusalem’. The School Song was sung, with the Senior Choir in fine voice as they performed the second verse.
During the evening, the audience also heard from Mrs Amanda Valentine, Vice Chair of Governors representing Girls’ Division, who welcomed everyone to the Great Hall. She spoke about the Governors’ determination that Bolton School should remain as affordable as possible for all parents, despite the game-changing imposition of VAT, and the School’s commitment to a maximum of 5% fee rises. She also spoke of the impact on the growth of the bursary fund, and the School’s affirmative action to combat this through launching the Open Futures Bursary Campaign in May to bring the target of 1 in 3 students receiving a bursary back into view. Mrs Valentine also commended the level of engagement between staff and pupils, and said that Presentation Evening is a reflection of all the dedication and hard work throughout the year. Finally, she encouraged the newest alumni, the Class of 2025, to keep in touch with their Bolton School network and to go out into the world and make a difference for good.
Mrs Lynne Kyle, the Head of Girls’ Division, also spoke about the many stories of hard work, resilience and triumph celebrated in the Hall, not only on Presentation Evening but throughout the year. She highlighted extra curricular success through outstanding sporting achievements and spectacular music and drama performances. She also noted that success is seldom a journey taken alone, and that behind each pupil stands a formidable support system: she thanked everyone who has played a part in the successes celebrated on the night — the girls themselves, their parents, their teachers and support staff, and the Governors working behind the scenes. She encouraged those listening to measure their lives not just in accomplishments, but in kindness, courage and the joy they bring to others.
Head of Foundation Mr Philip Britton closed the evening with the presentation of the Ross Warburton Scholarship, the Riley Prize and two new awards: the McGowan Prize for Progress in the Sixth Form in Physical Sciences was presented to Erin; and the Tynan Prize, awarded to the student with the highest-graded EPQ, was presented to Sophie.
Presentation Evening 2025:
