Upper Fifth (Year 11) student Toni Fasina earned a remarkable set of GCSEs that have set her up well for her ambitions to one day enter the world of medicine. But it’s the connections she’s made during her time at Benenden that have had the biggest impact.
Speaking on her outstanding grades, Toni said: “I’m very happy. I feel very accomplished!”. She’s looking forward to starting A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and English Language and Literature in September – and even on the day she received her results she was working hard for her future.
“I’m currently doing working experience at a pharmacy,” she told us. “I just walked in and asked, and they said okay!”
This experience will no doubt prove valuable for Toni’s future career, as she aspires to work in the healthcare sector. “I’d like to go into medicine,” she said. “I’ve always said I wanted to be a paediatric neurosurgeon, but at the same time, I haven’t studied for it yet – so I know it can change! It’s always been in the back of my mind but the more projects and research I do the more I want to find out.”
Alongside her passion for STEM subjects, Toni has fully embraced the breadth of opportunities provided by Benenden’s Complete Education during her time at the School, particularly in balancing her studies with a range of creative endeavours.
She said: “Creativity has to be a part of my life. That’s why I chose English as my last option – I’m good at it and I enjoy it. As much as I find Science fun and interesting, I definitely want to keep feeding my creative side.”
During her first year of GCSE study, Toni’s talents as a writer were recognised with her appointment as the school’s Poet Laureate, something she described as “one of the highlights of my time at Benenden.”
She said: “I enjoyed being able to share my poetry with other people; I enjoyed poetry being celebrated across the School; I enjoyed running competitions and open mic nights; and I really enjoyed working towards my first poetry pamphlet. I didn’t know there was so much involved – but Ms Morley [the School’s Head Librarian] taught me so much. I’ve learnt so much from her poetry and I’ve been able to continue improving from everything she taught me.”
Alongside her writing, Toni is a keen actor and musician and has been a feature of numerous Benenden productions – not least as part of the cast of the School’s Centenary Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, performed at the iconic London Coliseum in 2024.
“Performing Joseph at the Coliseum: that was once in a lifetime,” she said. “The stage, seeing people’s faces – the whole School’s faces! – it was amazing. I loved how inclusive it was and how everyone was on stage all the time, whether you were a main character or part of the ensemble. I don’t think any of us had ever been on a stage that big before.”
That feeling of involvement and togetherness has been a consistent thread throughout Toni’s time at the School. Reflecting on what has meant the most to her, she said: “I’ve enjoyed Benenden because of my friends.
“In fact, not just my friends, but the year group, and the teachers. The people at Benenden. Everyone’s so supportive, and there were so many little things that kept me going. My friends and the community, I would say, are a real highlight: that’s the reason I feel in love with and will always love Benenden.”
We’re looking forward to seeing what Toni gets involved with as she begins her Benenden Sixth Form journey.
- Benenden is holding a Sixth Form open event on Thursday 10 September and several open days throughout the Autumn Term. Book here.