Job Title: Production and Operations Intern at Walt Disney

What year did you leave SGS: 2021.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

Two teachers get a special mention from me: Mrs Fletcher – for her kindness and positivity, but most of all for encouraging me to study drama at university. I remember during the tense build up to the annual school musical, she would always bring a reassuring smile backstage and immediately put everyone at ease. She was both a friend and a teacher in one. Mrs Shaughnessy – for truly loving her subject and making every A level English class exciting with her inspiring stories and encyclopaedic vocabulary (my favourite word of hers being ‘serendipitous’- it’s just so cool to say!)

Looking back on your time at SGS, what’s one memorable moment or experience that had a lasting impact on your life/career?

It feels like only a moment ago that I was graduating SGS – it was actually three years ago – but it was the experiences that I had outside of formal lessons which I credit the most when it comes to teaching me life-skills and growing my self-confidence. Yes, the lessons were fun of course, but it was the extra-curricular activities like LAMDA, DofE and music (so much music!) that I now think have made such a positive difference to my Uni and work-based life. Those opportunities, coupled with the above-and-beyond approach of the teachers that supported me and my peers, made my SGS experience inspiring and unforgettable.

Proudest accomplishment since graduating SGS, how did your education help shape your path to success?

Since graduating, I was keen to keep performing wherever I could. Leading a sell-out show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2023 was a particularly proud moment! I got to try my hand at producing a performance for the first time – something I had learned in school by directing the (very) hectic Christmas panto in my last year at SGS. I have also hosted my own radio show at university; both a daunting and thrilling experience but one that came more naturally to someone who can talk for Britain! Chatting with different guests every week (pretending I was Claudia Winkleman) and subsequently re-packaging the talk show as a podcast was a proud moment that was only made possible due to the long hours of hard work – something that has been encouraged throughout my school experience.

Favourite piece of advice or lesson you learned at SGS that still resonates with you today?

“If not you, then who? If not now, then when?” These were the wise words of Mr Thomas in a Monday morning assembly which encouraged me to be brave, take the leap and go for it!

Journey post-graduation and the choices you made to get where you are today? 

Although my ‘journey’ post-SGS has not yet been very long, I am already beginning to benefit from having been taught the importance of persistence. My short time in the media industry has taught me to say YES! to every opportunity and to simply get stuck in. I have found – particularly in the world of work – that opportunities generally lead on to other opportunities. Having persistence is key to getting your foot in the door – whether it comes to your time at university or later, in the workplace, my life advice would be to say yes to going to events, speaking to people you don’t yet know, offering to do things you’ve not yet done. Because you never know which of these will open the door to the next stage of your life story – you never know who you might meet, and what new experience may be just around the corner.