I never wanted to go to Marsden I begged my parents to send me to a “normal” school (my words as a thirteen year old) thankfully my parents knew better than me. They understood I was capable but easily distracted and lacked confidence so I was installed in Marsden.

Initially it was strange, I was surrounded by girls who WANTED to learn this was a foreign concept to me but being a typical teenager I wanted to fit in so this meant me working too.

My most outstanding memory was the excellent teachers. Across all subjects I had teachers who believed in you and wanted you to do well. They were passionate about teaching and wanted to pass on their enthusiasm for learning, it worked, it was infectious and stimulating. I know my love of science is largely thanks to the string of fantastic science teachers I had at Marsden.

Today I attribute my days at Marsden to the many achievements I have had in life - the confidence to believe in myself, to know I can hold my own in any situation. As a teenager with self doubt I couldn’t imagine I would ever be able to interview politicians, present to doctors, run courses, set up a business, learn Chinese, lead teams and manage projects, yet all of these have been possible.

Marsden 1979 - 1983