1646 – Issue 3

2 9 What is your role within the School? When I started with the School three years ago, I was the Catering Manager overseeing the Front of House, lunch service and events whilst working closely with Charlie the Executive Chef. Since September 2021 I was promoted to General Services Manager, so I now head up Catering and Housekeeping departments; ensuring both departments operate smoothly as well as meet expectations and standards. What did you do before working at RBC? Previously I was the Head Chef at Wycombe Abbey Girls School, working alongside the Executive Chef managing the kitchens and anything food related. This is in fact my fifth school (with Eton College being one of them). The majority of my career has been within the Independent Schools sector. Can you describe your job using four words? Er… hard to do but let’s go with rewarding, stimulating, eventful and social. What do you most enjoy about your role? Seeing the end result and the satisfied customers! It’s very gratifying to be stopped by someone while I’m out and about the site to be given positive feedback and compliments, and that goes for both teams. I enjoy passing on the comments seeing my team feel proud, knowing that their work is appreciated and acknowledged. What would you say is the biggest challenge you face? Being in the service industry and my position within that, each day is different. I deal with day- to-day issues that arise, any HR concerns across my two departments and sometimes (although quite rare) complaints. It’s not pleasant receiving news a pupil has had a problem with their meal, A stroll around the School with… Aimee Sutcliffe or a member of the team has made a mistake but I pride myself in being able to tackle any issue head on. What is your favourite part of the School? The swimming pool!! I do feel very privileged to be able to swim a couple of times a week before work. There’s nothing better than watching the sun rise through the doors while being in the pool. My bit of peace and tranquillity before the day commences. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? When am I not working! No seriously, when I’m not here I enjoy being with friends and family. And travelling, I have been many places and there are SO many more countries I would like to visit. My last vacation (pre pandemic) was to Sri Lanka, its such a beautiful country and the people are ever so welcoming – even though we couldn’t understand each other. What is the best thing about working at RBC? It has to be the Blue Coat community, in my role I interact with many different members of the school throughout the day, be it with the pupils during service times; the teachers when passing by or organising events or the operations team arranging remedial works, assisting with logistics or just having a natter and a laugh. Everybody is very welcoming, and since joining that community I have built many relationships. During the holidays when the school is like a ghost town you start to miss the hustle and bustle of everyday life especially the pupils’ smiling faces.