Farra News 17 - Sunderland Learning Hub

CHRISTMAS 2011 FARRA NEWS 17
OUR EX PUPILS
EACH ISSUE WE HOPE TO BRING YOU TWO OR MORE
STORIES FROM EX-PUPILS TELLING YOU WHAT THEY
ARE UP TO NOW.
A WORLD OF ADVENTURE ...
Ex- pupil Tom Fowdy popped in to visit us recently to tell us about
his great A Level results (2xA*/A levels.) Tom went to St Aidens
6 th form when he left us 2 years ago, and as you can see he did
really well. And now even bigger events are on the horizon for
Tom as he is off to Perth in Australia. Tom is going to Perth for 2
years doing missionary work for his church. After he comes back
from Perth he hopes to go to university, maybe to study theology.
Tom also recently helped with the ballot boxes in local/national
elections (he was even shown on TV with the boxes!) His politics
class at St Aidens also got to participate in a political debate forum
at Durham City Hall where they came second.
Tom told us he enjoyed his time at Farra, he thanked staff for
support and said they were helpful, and being at Farringdon
helped him to figure out what kind of person he wanted to be. We
wish him luck as he heads off on his adventures down under.
OFF TO PERTH: Tom Fowdy off to Perth
SEE OURWEBSITE FOR MORE
ABOUT THIS DEAL
SCHOOL GOVERNOR TELLS US MORE ...
Its a long time since I left Farringdon - 1988! I was there from 83-88 and these were some of the
best years of my life! If I had the chance to go back and do it all over again I would. One of my best
memories from my days at Farringdon was representing the school at the TSB Rock School Competition
in Wakefield. Our group got through to the regional finals and we coached it down to the Rooftop
Gardens which was a nightclub at the time. (Its probably shut and
gone now!!). We came 3rd on the day but the result didn’t matter - we
all enjoyed the experience and loved the coverage we got back home in
the Sunderland Echo.
Farringdon was a great experience for me and I loved every minute of it
(although I may not have thought that at the time). Its right when people
say that you become part of the ‘Farringdon Family’ as I still feel that
way.
When I left in 88 I started my A levels but left after 3 weeks and got a
job in the Architects Department of Sunderland Council. I studied to
HNC level and then moved into the Housing Department - and for a
while worked out of the North Moor Housing Office, which borough back
the memories of the school! After a tour of the region with a couple of
jobs and doing my degree at Newcastle, I am now working for a construction
company based in Gateshead called Morrison - where I head
up the regional new business and customer experience side of the business.
My time at Farringdon and everything I learned helped me get to
where I am today - along with the support of some fantastic teachers!
I am also back at Farra!! I’m a school governor and am loving giving
something back to the school that helped me on my career path and
supported me for 5 very enjoyable years. And its funny seeing some of
those teachers from 88 still here, still working hard - and looking a little
bit older!! You know who you are!!
-Gavin Brown BA FCIH
GAVIN BROWN: Gavin Brown now and then