Familiar Faces

Long serving member of staff Jacky Parsons is hanging up her whistle to embark on retirement. But before she heads off into the sunset, Jacky has kindly agreed to tell us about her early sporting achievements and how she started at QEGS in 1993 after a chance remark….

What did you do before teaching, Jacky?

I always envisaged some sort of life involving sport and seemed to be destined to have a career in sport centre management after leaving Dudley College of Education in 1977 with a PE qualification. With little inclination to teach I worked as a ski instructor in an Austrian ski school then was appointed head ski instructor at Carlton Forum Sports Centre, Nottingham whilst also playing on the national squash circuit where I reached a GB ranking of 10.

After teaching my husband to ski (he was in one of my classes) we moved to Horncastle to be proprietors of Horncastle Squash Club which developed into Jacky’s Gym and Snooker Club. We had two boys, Stephen and Richard, who came through the QEGS education system and became aeronautical and mechanical engineers. Richard also gained an environmental science degree before continuing to do a PhD in observation and monitoring of glacier calving (looking at icebergs separating from glaciers to you and me!).

How did you begin teaching at QEGS?

It was thanks to a chance remark by the then Head of PE Philippa Cooper across the bar at the squash club in the spring of 1993! She mentioned the (lack of) calibre of the applicants for a part-time appointment and I happened to say that, although I was qualified, I never took up the profession! The next day I received a phone call from the Headmaster Tim Peacock who invited me for an interview. The rest, as they say, is history.

What have been your career highlights to date?

One of my highlights has to be getting the job in the first place when I didn’t even apply for it! Teaching at QEGS for 29 years is quite an achievement as not only did I fail my 11-plus but also collected five O-levels in ones and twos during 6th form interspersed with working in Austria. Don’t mention A-levels!

Highlights and proudest moments go hand in hand and there are a few, including reaching the national schools squash finals with a team comprising Stephen and Richard Parsons, Nick and Phil Roberts and Rob Cummingham. Twice QEGS reached the national schools girls’ tennis finals (last four). Many will remember Jade and Charlie Windley with support from Faye Button, Philippa Ireland and Alexandra Smith. And on another occasion Dana Kenealley Forrester, Sophie Walsh, Tori Needham, Harriet Jones and Phoebe Merrit finished fourth in the country, culminating in a coach trip to Alicante. County and regional netball days are remembered fondly as QEGS girls often superseded expectations.

Annual sports days helped me keep my feet on the ground with the reminder that another year of school has been completed. Seeing the whole school getting involved in this event before a new intake of students start each autumn will remain with me for a long time.

What have you enjoyed most about working at QEGS?

Well, it has to be the five-minute work to walk! I always looked forward to the annual prize-givings and the head’s summing up of the fantastic far-reaching activities and travels, varied talents and achievements of the students ranging from music and volunteering to acting and writing! I am completely in awe of so many worthy students I met.

What will you miss the most about QEGS?

I will miss interacting with the students and seeing their helpfulness, enthusiasm and development in lessons. I’ll also miss walking past the school gates and not being part of everyday life there – unless, of course, I get a phone call for supply!

How are you planning on spending your retirement?

I’m going to go even more part-time. I’ll also maybe do some of the usual things: a bit more skiing, visiting friends in the Dordogne, getting on the bus (free) to Lincoln for lunch and Skegness for fish and chips! Definitely on the ‘to do’ list is to go to the French and US Grand Slam tennis events next year and hopefully the Australian Open the year after.

What’s your advice to anyone about to start working at QEGS?

I would tell them to say ‘hello’ to everyone in the corridors, and be approachable, adaptable and friendly. Do make friends with the IT department, the site team and the office staff as they are instrumental in keeping the school running safely and smoothly. Also, do not think you can get everything right and solve all issues – there is always someone else who has more experience than you to do it. Enjoy the busy and hectic lifestyle – time flies by.