As I get ever closer to the end of my career and look forward to retirement, it is a time for reflection.  At the same time as looking forward, you look back at what you have achieved both for yourself and for others. 

After a long career in Banking, I decided to spend the last part of my working life with young people and it is, most certainly, a decision which I don't regret.  I have been so proud of our students in so many different ways.  Seeing them learning in cover lessons, enjoying sports, doing drama and dance productions, the list is endless.  I have been bursting with pride at our Public Speaking competitions with the talent, behaviour and manners of our students. Seeing our student leaders run House Assemblies has been nothing short of brilliant. I feel that I can take a little pride in myself as well for passing my many life skills and experiences onto the younger generations.

Throughout my life, I have always tried to do the right thing.  Of course, sometimes we get it wrong, but as long as we learn from our mistakes, that is OK, and we move on. It is also really important that we feel happy to be who we are, we are all different and we need to both respect and encourage that.

I leave my working life proud of my family, my colleagues, our students and myself and, quite frankly, we cannot ask for more than that.

Julie Minell
Cover Supervisor
Didcot Girls School