Rising Star Finalist
Maria Malkowska
Farringtons School, September 2022 – July 2024
Maria joined Farringtons School in September 2022 from Poland as part of a scholarship programme designed to support academically gifted students who would otherwise be unable to access the exceptional boarding education available in the UK.
Arriving with English as an additional language, Maria quickly settled into life at Farringtons and became an integral part of the school community. It was evident from the outset that Maria was an exceptionally talented young woman, determined to make the most of every opportunity Farringtons presented to her.
In March 2023, Maria was invited to the Francis Crick Institute, following recognition from a scientist who had read her impressive Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) on CRISPR technology and gene editing. Her dedication to this project earned her the highest possible grade.
In February 2024, Maria received the prestigious Bromley Rotary Club Award for her outstanding contribution to Farringtons School and the local community, which included visits to local care homes.
Beyond her academic achievements, Maria demonstrated a deep passion for dance. Not only was she a gifted performer, but she also had a flair for choreography. In February 2024, she made her choreographic debut by assisting with the school’s annual musical, Beauty and the Beast. Her creativity and leadership were soon in high demand, and she went on to lead and choreograph routines for younger pupils in Years 7 and 8, who respected and valued her expertise.
In July 2023, Maria was appointed as a Senior Prefect — Head Boarder and Chapel Prefect. With her characteristic enthusiasm and positivity, she embraced this role wholeheartedly, becoming an inspirational leader, an advocate for boarding life, and a regular contributor to Chapel services.
Despite financial challenges associated with being a scholarship student, Maria remained deeply committed to charitable work. In March 2023, she saved and raised significant funds to take part in a trip to Uganda, where she volunteered in a hospital paediatric department and helped patients in rural villages – a testament to her compassion and determination.
Maria concluded her time at Farringtons in the summer of 2024 with exceptional A Level results: four A*s and one A. These stellar outcomes secured her a scholarship to study Medicine at Milan Medical School.
Maria was an extraordinary student whose contribution to all aspects of school life was truly outstanding. She consistently supported others, even while managing the pressures of academic excellence, being far from home and studying in her second language.
