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Ada Lovelace Day
Ada Lovelace was a mathematician and writer, known for her work on Charles Babbage’s proposed mechanical computer, the Analytical Engine.
Ada Lovelace was the first person to recognise that his machine could be used beyond mathematical calculations and published the first algorithm intended to be carried out by such a machine. What makes this more remarkable is that Babbage’s machine was incomplete at the time, so she relied on the theoretical side of her idea.
As a result, Ada is regarded as one of the first computer programmers and the “Mother of Programming”. She had tremendous visionary skills and is seen as a role model for boundary breaking women everywhere.
The 13th October marks Ada Lovelace Day – an annual event celebrated on the second Tuesday of October. The day began in 2009 with the aim of raising the profile of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), and to create new role models for girls and women everywhere. On this day young people are also challenged to write about others who have inspired them.
When I was younger, I was inspired in part by Ada Lovelace to study Computing and explore my passion for technology. And in celebration of Ada Lovelace day, I started thinking about the role models our students may have. They may look up to celebrities, entrepreneurs, teachers and other family members. But they also look up to people their own age, such as friends and other members of the school community.
In recent weeks, I have heard many of our current students speak about students from our alumni and how they have inspired them to take certain subjects, become prefects or apply for Head Girl and Head Boy. Many have spoken affectionately about these students and described the impact they have had on them long after they left the school, showing the legacy they have left behind.
We want our students to be remembered for the right things and to inspire future generations, much like how Ada Lovelace is still an inspiration to many and has continued inspiring young people to challenge themselves and the way they think.
“There’s no time like the present to start being the person you want to be remembered as” Zero Dean