Which years you were at Grainville school. Sept 1989 – 1992 – Years 7/8/9
What was your biggest challenge at school.
I loved it all so I guess leaving it at 13 to join Hautlieu School was the biggest challenge
What was your greatest achievement at school.
There’s lots I’m proud of during my time at Grainville. Representing the school as Captain of the netball team with a great team of girls, Eisteddfod submissions in odd topics such as Macrame Owls, but I think my final Sports Day in Year 9 stands out as my name is still on the school’s Sporting Achievements Board! I had already moved to Hautlieu School for a pre-summer trial period and was invited back for the event. I managed to score the highest points across the whole school beating the older Yr 10/11 entrants which felt like such a thrilling achievement back then!!
Favourite lesson/activity.
Maths and Sports always. I wasn’t particularly good at English but I always loved Maths which no doubt led me onto becoming an Accountant.
I do also recall music lessons as it was a rare treat to get to play the instruments. I can only imagine how bad we sounded!
Which aspects of Grainville School helped you become the person you are today.
Definitely great friends and teachers, my year was full of very nice people and it felt like a great community where I thrived and found learning in that environment very easy.
I loved moving to a multi class environment from my tiny primary school. Organising my weekly schedule in books that had been lovingly covered in wrapping paper clearly encouraged my highly organised approach to life!
Sporting opportunities – such a fantastic sports infrastructure meant I got to try so many sports.
Favourite memory of Grainville school.
Most definitely our student led performance of Grease, the musical! One of my class was very brave and clearly exceptionally talented and took it upon herself to direct an abridged version of the musical. I was Rizzo and it was a blast! I remember the boys getting special acting training and they did so well playing at being cool dudes. Danny and Sandy are still married to this day in real life!
What path did you take and who inspired you along the way to get to where you are today.
My offer to join Hautlieu School for GCSEs came completely out the blue and had a huge impact on the next few years of my life but I still didn’t do A-levels or go to University immediately so I honestly think staying at Grainville or switching would have created the same opportunities.
After working for few years in entry level Finance roles I had an exceptional Manager at Jersey Post who helped me see what I could achieve and supported my “mature student” application to University at the grand age of 21.
Instead of a degree I qualified as an Accountant but still had the most amazing time as a student. I really recommend taking a year or two out and gaining work experience before you begin university as its such a fulfilling experience which I don’t think I would have been ready for at 18.
I have since worked in various locations across the globe for multinational companies in a variety of roles. My accounting led me to Finance Director at American Express but I have more recently enjoyed a change as the Head of Business Delivery & Control for Barclays Investment business and now as Client Operations Director for a fast paced Fintech called BankClarity.
Favourite aspects of your job.
I love my current role as it uses all the skills I have built to date. I have the ability to work with clients and provide very quick solutions to enhance their banking and treasury processes which brings immediate value to them. We are able to turn around new features very quickly, responding to client and market needs.
What advice would you give to students looking at their career options.
Work experience, work experience, work experience!!!
Very few people can know what they want to do at 16 so make sure your decisions are well informed by getting out into the market. I worked weekends at hairdressers, petrol stations, chemists, which allowed me to jump straight into a job out of school. My temp work during University landed me a highly paid job straight out of Uni.
There is so much variety in Finance so keep moving or ask for a role that allows you to try different roles. – not into Finance? No problem, there are amazing design and tech companies, lots of industries are represented here and there is a great young entrepreneurial spirit across the island so take some risks and speak to everyone older that you know for info on what they do and why – you never know what it might lead to.