Members of our Northgate News Team have decided to find out a bit more about staff at Northgate. Damien, Year 11 has completed his final interview as part of the News Team, by speaking with Mrs Graves. Mrs Graves teaches English at Northgate but is also Head of Year 7 and Transition. She may be a familiar face to our upcoming Year 7s as she completes transition visits this half term. Here’s what she had to say.
Did you always want to be a teacher?
I didn’t always want to be a teacher. I thought about being a vet, but I am squeamish so that didn’t last long! I also considered being a police officer. I knew I wanted to do a job where I made a difference to people and I love English, so that’s why I became a teacher.
If you didn’t teach, what other job could you see yourself doing?
That’s a really difficult question. I enjoy writing, so I would love to be an author. Or a jeweller because I like sparkly things!
Who is your favourite author and what is your favourite book?
Again, a tricky question because there are so many. Favourite author: a tie between Jane Austen and Margaret Atwood. I couldn’t choose a favourite book: I would have to have about ten on the list!
What is your favourite poem to teach?
My favourite poet is Carol Ann Duffy. But my favourite poem to teach at GCSE is probably ’Remains’.
Do you have any hobbies outside of school?
I don’t have lots of time for hobbies outside school at the moment. But I enjoy yoga, baking and gardening.
What do you enjoy the most about being a Head of Year?
The thing I enjoy most about being Head of Year is helping students to become confident and settled at Northgate. It is so rewarding.
Describe Northgate in 3 words
Caring, community, ambitious.
Do you have any pets (if you do, what are their names?)
I have a cat called Branston. He is very handsome and very gentle, but he also likes Wotsits and cake!
Tell us about the Literary Society that you run – what can students get up to?
At Literary Society, we create beautiful writing. We have completed a project on Holmes and Kable, which is the incredible story of two of the First Fleeters in Australia, originally from Thetford. Our work was displayed in Thetford Guildhall. We write poetry and short stories and we’re currently working on pieces for the Summer Showcase. We also go on theatre trips: ‘A Christmas Carol’ this year, and more planned for next year.
Would you like to stay as an English teacher in the future- if not what else would you like to teach?
I have taught Media Studies in the past, as well as English. But I can’t imagine teaching anything else; I love my subject.
What is our favourite cleaning product?
I think my Year 11s all know the answer to this! It has to be Zoflora 🙂
A big thank you to Damien and Mrs Graves for doing this interview – it is always nice to find out a bit more about our Northgate staff. Our upcoming Year 7s will see Mrs Graves a lot over the coming year as she sees them through their first year as Northgate students.
