Get to know your Senior Leadership Team

An interview with Deputy Principal Tracy Foy Written by Henry Noble

I’m sure it’s clear to many of you that the various affairs of the college must be run by somebody – well this year we’ve got a new Senior Leadership Team and their commitments really seem to have been shaped around student life, which is great!

We spoke to Tracy Foy towards the end of the last half term. Tracy’s one of the new deputy principals, and we not only asked about her various roles, but also found out what makes her tick as an ambassador and supporter for our experiences here.

First, we just wanted to unravel what the new SLT structure looked like. As principal we have Chris Atherton. Andrew Boden is a deputy along with Tracy – however his role more concerns the shape of the curriculum and staff life.

Chris Capey and Stephanie Dean are our assistant principals, with the culture of the college at the heart of what they do. Further to this, we asked what else excites her about her role.

“I enjoy seeing students happy, seeing student unity”. She admitted that it sounded slightly cliched, but I can definitely understand how positive that would make one in her position feel.

She referenced ‘Red Card Day’, from last half term, as a particular time where she was most proud of the unification between students and staff alike. In keeping with the theme of the college’s diversity and acceptance, she also referred to the success of the launch of Diversitas.

Tracy is pleased that the student life is an overall positive one. I suggested that because of this, the academic side of things is also far better, a result of the boost that a good time here at the college can offer. “It also feels normal!”, Tracy added. She likes seeing student experiences and opportunities return to their very best. Having experienced the limitations from COVID last year as a year 12, I couldn’t agree with her more.

“I love that students are a priority here, I love the idea of community and togetherness that is promoted, and I love working with great people every”

“What do you enjoy most about being Deputy Principal, Tracy?”.

“I think I most love working hard to ensure your experiences are among the best two years of your lives”.

She also placed emphasis on promoting creative opportunity, which I think is important to support if we want to give our time here a bit more colour. “Finally, just to round everything off, what are three things you love about SJD?”.

She answered pretty briskly. “I love that students are a priority here, I love the idea of community and togetherness that is promoted, and I love working with great people every day”.

I think the biggest takeaway here is the genuine importance of this team. Without them, I feel the culture, opportunities and just the general life at the college would be nowhere near the same. Just from talking to Tracy, it’s clear to me that the whole of the student leadership team shares the same aim in making our time here as rich as possible.

Aryee Deputy Princi pal

th Sian wi T racy Foy,

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