Inspiring pupil achieves GCSE success after tragic loss
Throughout the year, pupils at the school worked diligently to overcome significant difficulties and hardship, including lockdown, periods of isolation and the loss of loved ones.
For Farah Khan, a pupil at Eden Girls’ School, Coventry, today’s results day was particularly poignant. Farah achieved an excellent set of GCSE results including two grade 8s, two grade 7s, two grade 6s and two grade 5s, during a period of exceptional challenge.
As lockdown commenced in March 2020, Farah’s father was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of cancer. Whilst the world came to a halt, Farah and her family found themselves busier than ever, as they juggled a whirlwind of hospital appointments, caring responsibilities and school work. Farah said her final goodbye to her father in June, just a little over a year after he received his initial diagnosis.
Throughout these challenges, Farah was determined to work hard at school, so that she could go on to achieve her dream career of working with children to support their mental health. The inspiring 16-year-old is now urging others to work hard towards their goals so that they can seize the many opportunities that await.
Farah said: “I know that my dad would be proud of me. I tried my absolute hardest and I know I could not have done any better. My dad always encouraged me to aim high, so that I could be independent and have a successful career. Throughout it all, I wanted to have as normal a life as possible. I was lucky to have some incredible support. My teachers were very kind and the school Principal was in touch with my mum to let us know the whole school was there for us. I have some wonderful friends from school who helped to keep me going and who kept in close contact when things felt tough. I really don’t think I would have achieved my grades without their help. They have really been there for me. I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from this is that although we knew my father wasn’t going to be with us for long, none of us really know what the future will bring. That is why we have to work hard to achieve our ambitions while we can. I advise anyone else who is going through a similar situation to always keep your head up and remember who and what you are working for. Always keep your goals in mind and, as long as you have the support and love of good people, put your faith in God and remain confident in your goals, everything will work out.”
Farah’s mother, Shazia Khan, said she was incredibly proud of her daughter, who had been an immense source of support to her father and the whole family.
Shazia said: “Farah dealt with the whole situation with such maturity. She was an enormous comfort to her dad. She could make him laugh and they shared so much banter. She was a real daddy’s girl. Even when she caught Covid and had to stay away from her dad, she would FaceTime him and give him virtual hugs to keep his spirits up. She helped to get him drinks and look after his needs and when she had finished caring for him, she would go straight back to her studies. She was so very focused. On that last day, she stayed up with her dad until 3.30 in the morning, praying for him and kissing him. She was so strong and she helped us all so much during that difficult time. Farah knows what she wants to do and has high aspirations. Eden Girls’ School has helped to support her ambition. The school also taught her important lessons in prayer and reflection which helped her so much. Sending Farah to Eden Girls’ School was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Anand Patel, Principal at Eden Girls’ School, Coventry, praised Farah for her exceptional maturity and commitment to her studies during a time of great personal loss.
He said: “Farah is a shining example of triumph in the face of adversity. Her incredible fortitude and her ability to continue her studies with such commitment during this exceptionally difficult time is truly remarkable. I know that Farah has a wonderful future ahead of her and that, with her intelligence and determination, she will go on to achieve many great things. I would like to congratulate Farah and all our pupils who are collecting their results today. Thank you to all our parents and staff who have gone the extra mile to support our pupils during these challenging times.”
Farah will continue her studies with A Levels in Psychology, Biology and English and hopes to study Psychology at university.
Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 12th Aug 2021 | Posted In: Latest News