What job/study are you doing right now and tell us a little about it?
I am currently at Carmel College studying A-Levels in English Language, Drama & Theatre Studies and History.
Did you do any further/higher education?
I plan to attend Edge Hill University in 2 years time to do a degree in primary school teaching
How did you decide on your career path and what is/was most interesting about your work?
I decided on my career path because I was inspired by the amazing work teachers do on a daily basis so i want to be just like them.
Can you share a couple of fond memories of your time at St Cuthbert's?
I loved my time at St Cuthberts because everyone was welcoming and friendly- and even though I began my journey in 2012 on my own, the staff helped me to make many of the close friends I still have today. One of the funniest memories I have is when I was in Year 11, and we were rehearsing for our final practical performance of "Stags and Hens". One of my friends Joe managed to rip his pants whilst dancing in the classroom! I also remember when I performed in the school's production of "Oliver" in Year 7, and even though I was only meant to be dancing in the background, I began singing louder than everyone else and everyone either complimented me or said I was "Showing off".
Did you have a favourite/influential teacher? What made them so important to you?
My favourite teachers were definitely Miss Anderson, Mr McAuley, Mr Neill and Miss Feeney. Miss Anderson was always so supportive towards me not just in my drama lessons but outside of the classroom aswell. She always use to make me laugh, and I always felt honoured when she chose me for the drama award 3 times (in Year 7, 9 and 11) at the annual awards evening. Mr McAuley was by far the best history teacher, and again always made me laugh, even when I was having a bad day. He helped me to get a grade A at GCSE, so I'll always be grateful for that. Mr Neill was my favourite maths teacher, as I had him in Year 8, 10 and 11. I was never good at maths until he helped me to understand things like trigonometry, even though he'd already tried explaining it! He was also my form teacher in my last 2 years at St Cuthberts, and I doubt I'd know some of the things I do without him! Miss Feeney was my English teacher in Year 7, 10 and 11, and she is also important to me because she helped me to get a grade 7 for my GCSE's in both Language and Literature. I love her humour but also how seriously she took her job, because she helped the whole of my class to progress and to do the best we could.
What advice would you give our current students?
My advice to our current students would be to just be who you want to be, and don't be afraid of judgement. The past 5 years at St Cuthberts have told me to break the status quo and embrace every opportunity given to you, no matter how stupid it seems or whether your friends are getting involved or not. Everyone who judges you are just doing it to make themselves feel better! I would defintely tell the current students to work hard and have fun at the same time, but just make sure to get the balance right when it's necessary. St Cuthberts is a family and it will be for the rest of your life, so the next time you think you might cause trouble or mess around in class- don't otherwise you'll waste an amazing experience. Not everyone likes their teachers or even the subjects themselves, but it's important to do the best you can not just in your GCSE's but in life aswell. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Name: Sophie Jakens