A fond farewell to Mrs Minta
As our Head of Sixth Form’s Mrs Minta looks ahead to a well-deserved retirement and the exciting adventures that await, we asked her to take a look back at her accomplished teaching career and the last twenty years being part of our Bridgewater family…
How did your teaching career begin?
“I spent half of my teaching career in the state sector in East Manchester. Having completed my NQT year in a small comprehensive school, I moved to a large 11-16 girls’ school where I stayed for sixteen years. I taught French and German throughout this time, whilst holding responsibilities first as Head of Year 7, then ultimately as Head of MFL.”
If you hadn’t become a teacher, what other profession would you have been part of?
“I was keen to use my languages, so the only other professions I briefly considered were working for an airline or at customs control.”
What is it that inspires you?
“Being able to make a difference to the lives of others.”
What would surprise others to know about you?
“I was a keen ballroom and Latin American dancer during my university days and into my 20s, winning the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ competition at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.”
What has changed since you joined Bridgewater School 20 years ago?
“There are, of course, many new faces. Classrooms have changed, facilities have evolved and over that time whole new buildings have been created. But the ethos that drew me here remains and it is still the same happy and friendly working environment as it was twenty years ago. I have no doubt that this will still be true in another twenty years.”
What is the best advice that you can give to your students?
“Work hard, believe in yourself and be kind to others.”
What has been your greatest achievement?
“Being able to support so many young people through two of the most important and transformative years of their lives and to help them make a successful transition to either the university of their choice or the world of work. To see their efforts recognised in that moment on results day is always incredibly rewarding, but probably never more so than during lockdown. The courage, maturity and resilience shown by these last two cohorts as they completed their A Level studies in the face of remote learning, CAGs (Centre Assessed Grades) and ongoing restrictions has been simply extraordinary.
“I will look back with great pride at the accomplishments of my students and know that I have played some small part in whatever they go on to achieve.”
How will you look back at your time as Head of Sixth Form?
“With great fondness. It has been a real privilege to work so closely with so many lovely young people over the years. I have also been very fortunate to work with such amazing colleagues who are always willing to go the extra mile to help the students.”
What will you miss most about Bridgewater when you retire?
“Above all, I will miss the daily contact with the students; in particular, when they ‘bounce’ into my office with new of their latest offer from university or simply to have a chat and let me know what is going on in their life.”
What does the future hold for you?
“I am hoping to learn Italian and enjoy a few European city breaks (being free to go away in ‘term time’ for the first time in my life!). I am also planning to do some voluntary work for our local hospice.
