Five Minutes With...
HR Manager Admissions Manager
SUSIE CAMPBELL What did you do before you came to SMC? I had a career with a variety of roles, all people orientated and about building relationships. Most recently I was working with an external provider in the careers sector across schools in New Zealand which involved liaising with a number of leadership teams and students in independent and public schools – coaching and facilitating workshops with young people. What’s the best part of your job so far? I love being immersed with the families and the girls within such a caring, modern and innovative environment and constantly being inspired by watching these young girls grow up and how lucky they are to be in such a beautiful education facility.
BELINDA CUZENS
What does your role at SMC involve? My role as a Human Resource Manager is to support the staff and Leadership Team with advice on employment, pastoral care, recruitment and develop policies and a framework to assist the school to be an employer of choice. What do you enjoy most about your role here at SMC? I really enjoy the staff and the whole atmosphere and culture at the school. When I am sitting in the staff lunch room listening to the staff and their discussions, the conversations are centred around genuinely supporting the girls with all facets of school life. In turn I thoroughly enjoy advising on best practice, recruiting the right person for the team dynamics and hopefully helping them with concerns to enable them to keep doing their role with as much support as possible. What did you do before you came to SMC?
Any highlights or moments that have stuck out this year?
I worked in Human Resources with various firms.
Watching the new girls coming in at the beginning of the year in January 2020 and how easily they settled in right from day one was a highlight. Also, because I’m across the whole school when I take a family on a personal tour, I love watching the girls go about their day and seeing them so happy while they are learning.
You're an Old Girl, what is your most memorable time at SMC?
What do you do in your spare time? I try to remain fit. I run, enjoy skiing in winter and have just taken up mountain biking. I’m also a real family person. All of my close family live within 10 minutes of me so we spend a lot of time together, I enjoy cooking and gardening, and being around our beautiful black labrador ‘Charlie’! What is your favourite food? I love cooking, but I can’t go past a good cheese platter with a timely refreshment!
Probably the Founders Day Service, we used to hold oranges with candles in them at the Cathedral, very beautiful. Also watching Mātipo win every award year after year! Who was your favourite teacher when you were at school and why? Miss Blair , I really enjoyed her dry sense of humour, she called a spade a spade but was very supportive, plus it made my school life easier when she became Principal. What do you do in your spare time? Did you say spare time? Favourite book or movie? I wish I could come up with something profound and moving, however favourite movies are: About Time, Marley and Me (cried for days). Any book, love reading.
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