January 2015 – Roundwood Park School

Mrs Pat Cole – in remembrance

January 22, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

Mrs Pat Cole joined the school in 1989 and worked tirelessly as an enthusiastic teacher of English. She left in 2000. Pat was a popular and well liked teacher and colleague who was driven to do the best for her pupils. She had a great sense of humour and always seemed in a hurry to get somewhere or to see someone that could enhance or enliven her lessons to make English an even more exciting subject.

Pat had suffered from Parkinson’s disease in her later years and sadly died in November 2014. She leaves behind her husband and her grown up children.

A service was held on 26th November 2014 at Garston Crematorium and was attended by many of her friends including, past and present RPS staff; Robin & Christine Grant, Avis & John Ford, Paul & Rhona Woodhouse, Val Williams and Christine Hood.

Greg Verghese [2007 ]

January 22, 2015/in Alumni Listings/by wpengine

Greg gained a MSc (1st class hons) in Physics from the University of Bristol. From there he took an internship at Allianz Insurance and then moved onto take up a position as a Business Analyst and then into Risk Analysis. He is currently working for Solo Capital Partners in London as a Risk Associate.

Jordan Chaston [2010 ]

January 22, 2015/in Alumni Listings/by wpengine

Following his BSc in Construction Management from Southampton Solent University, Jordan spent the next few years working on a number of diverse building projects in the family construction business. He is now Assistant General Manager at Pario SVP Management Ltd.

Emma Hopkins [2007]

January 22, 2015/in Alumni Listings/by wpengine

Emma gained a BA hons in Commercial law and Spanish from the University of Westminster and during that time she spent a year in Spain studying Law & Arabic. She then gained professional qualifications leading to her role as, initially, a lettings negotiator to her current position as a Lettings Manager at Eden Harper Ltd in London.

Rory Meldrum at 50!

January 21, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

In December 2014 Rory Meldrum [ class of 1983 ] celebrated his 50th birthday at the Amble Inn in Harpenden. Younger sisters Siobhan and Fiona along with many of his friends from Hockey, University and Roundwood were in attendance. Rory was an exceptionally gifted sportsman and excelled in many but was widely acknowledged as an outstanding hockey player at a high level. Rory graduated with a B.Eng (hons) from Liverpool University and he is now a freelance eco-energist Energy Consultant and still lives locally.

Gravity FX award for Sally Wilson

January 21, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

Sally [ class of 2004 ] has carved out a highly successful career as a Surfacing Artist and has gained many prestigious awards in her time. Perhaps the most impressive is her work as a texture artist and look development TD when working at Framestore CFC, in the multi award winning film ‘Gravity‘.

Best Achievement in Visual Effects (Pixomondo) – ‘Hugo’, Academy Awards, USA.2012

Best Visual Effects (Framestore CFC)– ‘Gravity’, Satellite Awards.2013

Best Achievement in Visual Effects (Framestore CFC) – ‘Gravity’, Academy Awards, USA. 2014.

Best Special Visual Effects (Framestore CFC)– ‘Gravity’.BAFTA Awards 2014

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects-Driven Feature Motion Picture (Framestore CFC) – ‘Gravity’ Visual Effects Society Awards.2014

Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture (Framestore CFC) – ‘Gravity’ Visual Effects Society Awards.2014

Since then Sally has recently moved to Industrial Light & Magic [ Company founded by George Lucas in 1976 to develop special effects ] as a Senior Texture Artist.

Nick Collard speaks for Wm Morrison supermarkets

January 14, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

Nick Collard [1990] is the Group Marketing and Customer Director at Wm Morrison Supermarkets and based in Harrogate. He has recently published an article in the modern marketing journal ‘The Drum’ about how the supermarket war cannot be won on price alone.

To read the full article click on the link below

https://www.thedrum.com/news/2015/01/09/supermarket-war-can-t-be-won-just-price-says-morrisons-marketing-chief-he-outlines

Tracy Jones [1992]

January 8, 2015/in Alumni Listings/by wpengine

After her A levels, Tracy gained a degree in Business from the University of Bedfordshire. From there she embarked on a successful career in banking; working her way up through Barclays from Regional Coach/Bank Manager to Business Banking Senior Project Manager. Tracey moved to Banco Santander and again held a number of senior positions to her current role as Programme Manage Corporate Property where she is responsible for the refurbishment of Santander UK branches, managing multiple cross functional work streams.

Alex Thomas [2008] – Doctor in waiting!

January 8, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

Having completed a BA and an MA in Archaeology at the University of Bristol, Alex enjoys the place so much that he has opted to stay for another 4 years to complete a Ph.D. in Archaeology & Anthropology.

Claire Linacre [2008]

January 8, 2015/in Alumni Listings/by wpengine

Claire joined the school in 2006 in the Sixth Form. After her A levels Claire gained a place at the University of Manchester to study Social Anthropology/Anthropology where she gained a BSocSc degree. She continued her studies at Manchester to gain an MA (distinction) in visual Anthropology. After many caring and voluntary positions, Claire now works for the Royal London Society for Blind People formerly as a Community & Events Fundraising Executive and now as a Senior Individual Giving Executive. At the same time Claire works for the Body & Soul Charity as a childrens’ centre volunteer.