Tell us about your time at school:

I have so many fond memories of my time at school, but I think Christmas time with services in the Convent Chapel were always a special time.

My time at OLCS helped me so much with my confidence. It was ok that I wasn’t academic in all subjects or good at all sports, it was the fact that I tried my best and applied myself, that I understood what I was good at and where my strengths did lie. I apply that lesson still to this day and know that I might not always be the best person to complete an aspect of work but instead draw on the strengths of my team to achieve our goals.

Mrs Davies who taught me A level history really inspired me so much so that I went on to study history at University.

Tell us about your career:

After leaving school, I studied for a degree in history and a masters.

My school supported and helped me as I was indecisive about what I wanted to do when I applied for University. I was told to do something that I was good at and enjoyed as a subject as I could always choose to study a vocational course such as teaching or law later on when I had more work and life experience.

My first job in my career was in education, but I soon developed a passion for pupil welfare and the fact that if we create safe, positive environments for young people to learn, then they will achieve their potential and have positive experience from which they can go on and achieve their goal.

In football there are many stand out moments such as working my first Wembley final and walking down the players tunnel with the team at kick off. Also when I see young people that have come through our football academies and play their first game as a professional footballer I feel very luck to have been a part of their journey.

Tell us about you:

I was volunteer lifeboat crew member with Sunderland RNLI when I lived in the North East of England. It is a very special charity full of amazing people and I learnt so much during my time with them.

I think my life experience that stands out is probably wanting to be a mother and have a family. Sadly, that was not meant to be for me and I suffered from recurrent miscarriage. However even through that very difficult time I learnt and grew as a person. Even through the darkest of times there can be positives.

Tell us some advice for pupils and alumni:

I’d advise pupils to be brave, take every opportunity to try different things even if you feel a little bit uncomfortable or scared as sometimes you realise that you are actually better at something than you think.

My top career advice would be to do something that you are passionate about, that inspires you or you find some enjoyment from as unless you win the lottery your working life is a long one.

My work life balance is important and not just working all hours for financial gain. I have helped many people who have suffered with their mental and physical health because they have no time to look after themselves

I don’t really believe in looking back or wanting to change the past. I am who I am because of all the choices I have made and things I have done. I just look forward, hoping to be better today than I was yesterday and live in the moment.

And finally…

The person who inspires me the most, is my sister. She too went to the Convent school for part of her schooling. She is a Consultant in the NHS and a Professor as well as being a mother and a great sister and daughter. She achieves everything she sets out to do and more.