Having attended The Holgate School (as it was then) from 1990 to 1997, I have particularly fond memories of PE classes. Mr Martin, Mr Donnison, and Mr Studholme had such a strong influence on me that I became a physical education teacher.
After earning a BA (Hons) from Northampton University and completing a PGCE at Loughborough University, I embarked on a career in education. I spent 12 years teaching in the UK before moving overseas to work as head of curriculum at an American international school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. While there, I completed my M.Ed. and earned a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University.
I’m a strong believer in lifelong learning and the idea that if you put your mind to something, anything is possible. This belief has driven me to undertake a PhD focusing on assessment practices in schools. I have also had several articles published in physical education journals.
Physical education and sport continue to play a key role in both my career and personal life. I currently serve as Dean of Students at the Taipei European School in Taipei, Taiwan, where I also teach the International Baccalaureate Diploma course in sport, health, and exercise science. Recently, I represented Taiwan at the World Masters Games (the Olympics for over-30s), where I captained an international football team to a gold medal.
If I had one piece of advice for current students at The Holgate Academy, it would be this: never give up and work hard. With these two ingredients, I guarantee you will be successful.
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Made at Holgate
Please visit our dedicated alumni page, Made at Holgate, for more inspiring stories and experiences from our former students, and to learn how you can become part of our unique network.
