April 2015 – Roundwood Park School

Charlotte Coleman [2010] – Ph.D. chemist

April 30, 2015/in Alumni Listings/by wpengine

Charlotte having gained a 1st class honours Master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Bristol has now registered for a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry at Imperial College , London.

Natalie Goch [2010] starts Snowflake Holidays

April 29, 2015/in Alumni, Alumni Listings/by wpengine

After school, Natalie spent half the year working in a school in South Africa and then spent the ski season in Canada, during which time she took exams for and became qualified as a Ski Instructor, Snowboard Instructor and Ski Instructor for the Disabled. She returned to the UK to start a course in Sport & Physical Education at the University of Bedfordshire. However, midway through the course Natalie opted to focus on her passion for skiing, first as an instructor in Switzerland and then as a ski guide and chalet manager in Switzerland, Spain and Austria. Currently Natalie has set up her own holiday company called Snowflake Holidays (www.snowflakeholidays.co.uk) and is about to open her first property in Filzmoos, Austria ready for the first summer season.

Alumna Sophie Gledhill’s Marathon for the Disabilities Trust

April 22, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

As an ex student/alumna and talented freelance musician who has taken part in the House Music events as a judge Sophie now writes…

“Today I find myself exactly a week away from my first ever marathon attempt and this calls for some action! Luckily I’ve already done some training; having had a very rocky few weeks with an injured knee and shins I was so pleased to complete my longest training run a week ago, 30km (18.6 miles) along the Camel Trail in Cornwall.

But now I need to also turn my attention to fundraising. Since I thought that my injuries were going to force me to pull out of the marathon, I didn’t feel I was able to publicise my fundraising at first. Now that I’m committed to the race, I’d love to raise as much money as possible for the very important work of the Disabilities Trust. I have pledged to raise at least £1500, and today my total stands at just under £500. For both my legs and my fundraising, there’s still a long way to go!

To read more about why I’m running for the Disabilities Trust and to make a donation, please visit my Virgin Money Giving page here: https://www.virginmoneygiving.com/SophieGMarathon

I’d be so grateful for any amount you can give. Thank you for reading and for all the moral and financial support I’ve received so far.

All the very best,

Sophie

Sarah McKenna [2007] has been selected for England Women’s Sevens squad.

April 22, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

Former Harpenden schoolgirl Sarah McKenna has been named in the England Women’s side for this weekend’s [18/19th April] fourth round of the Sevens World Series in Canada. Saracens’ McKenna attended Roundwood Park and Grove Junior School and has played locally for Harpenden and Old Albanian rugby clubs. Head coach Simon Middleton, whose side finished seventh last time out in Atlanta, said: “This is a fresh and young looking squad who we hope will bring lots of energy to our campaign.” England head into round four knowing they must improve on their recent form if they are to secure an automatic place for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics Games. They need to finish in the top four, otherwise they’ll be left to battle it out in further European qualifying tournaments this summer. Middleton added: “There’s no hiding from the fact that this is a huge leg in terms of achieving our objectives for the season, but we won’t be looking any further than our first game against Spain and then looking to build momentum on what we hope will be a solid start.”

Article by Michael Edwards in the Harpenden Edition of the Herts Advertiser 16th April 2015

Photo courtesy of : RUGBYMATTERS.NET

Rob Harris [2006]

April 20, 2015/in Alumni Listings/by wpengine

“After graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Events Management from Bournemouth University in 2011, I am presently based in the City of London at the London Stock Exchange as the Commercial Events Sales Executive for our Events & Studios. My work involves selling our events space to clients and companies to use our facilities for their own events – most popular are financial results announcements for FTSE listed companies. I also manage multiple events, allowing me to interact with clients directly, along with nurturing relationships in the sales process. This is an environment that is always fast-paced, exciting, diverse and always a lot of fun with my team and other colleagues. I am also currently living in SW London.”

Max Baggio [2010] speeds to national downhill titles.

April 20, 2015/in Alumni/by wpengine

After completing his A levels, Max is currently taking a year off from his further academic studies to pursue his talents in skiing as far as they may take him!

‘Max Baggio admits topping the podium is a feeling he’ll never get bored of after the teenage speed demon added to his growing medal collection on day two of the Delancey British National Alpine Ski championships.

The downhill discipline proved another high-octane event in Tignes after the thrills and spills of Monday’s Super-G, in which he took gold. On Tuesday, 19-year-old Baggio won the British National Downhill title, gliding across the line with a time of 1:15.89 His taste for gold didn’t stop there, once again topping the charts in the National Junior Championships to clinch the British U21 crown. “The winning feeling here so far is great, it’s good to compete against your fellow Brits and I’m happy to return to the podium,” said Baggio’.

extract from Herts Advertiser March 26th