Page 44 - St Andrews Prep Androvian 2019-20

42 | INTERVIEW
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Aside from our amazing teachers, St Andrew’s Prep is fortunate to have many, many talented staff members within the school.We’ve grilled just three of them: Mick Stevens from the Maintenance team, Catherina Ashford, our Registrar and Ted Baldwin the school’s Catering Manager.
Catherina Ashford
How long have you worked at St Andrew’s Prep?
MS 20 Years CA 10 Years TB 6 Years
Has your role always been the same?
MS I started off as a part-time window cleaner but when I was offered a job nearby, the Bursar gave me a full time position on the Maintenance Team. A few years later, following
a staff re-structure, I was offered the job of Groundsman. My
first reaction was,‘What does a groundsman do?’ but I accepted
the role and then taught myself from scratch the many duties that the job entailed including marking out pitches for football, rugby and cricket. I have been groundsman
for 12 years now and have recently taken on further responsibilities helping Marketing set up for events. During the period of lockdown due to COVID-19 I worked with my
Ted Baldwin
side-kick Debbie to support the staff on-site and keep the grounds and buildings in order. Another new experience!
CA No, I started as Headmaster’s PA to Simon Severino which I did for five years (with maternity leave gaps) and then two years for Gareth Jones.
TB Although I have the same job title my role has become much more managerial.This is a positive move for me and I have relished the challenge of managing a team and numerous events as well as the day to day requirements of feeding a school! I am lucky to have found a job where I can stay in catering while achieving a better work life balance and the opportunity to develop my skills.
In recent years, there have been various nationwide food allergy scares that have led to an increased emphasis and awareness of allergies and intolerances. Overseeing this is
Mick Stevens
now an integral part of my role and one that I take very seriously.
What developments have you seen at the school?
MS
There have been lots of changes
to the buildings during my time
here including changing the Girls Boarding House (The Lodge) into the Nursery (the Nursery used to be housed in the now re-furbished Pavilion), the main Computer room used to be the Boys’ Common Room, the Library was a theatre and I have seen at least two generations of children pass though the school.
I have been here long enough to know all the secret areas of the school and the children are always fascinated to hear about the cellar and the Chapel hatch that ‘leads to a tunnel which goes to the Girls Boarding House’ (or so I tell the boys!)There is also the site of the old gym at the top of the spiral staircase and the old plunge pool under Piglet’s Pantry.