END-OF-TERM LECTURE

LUCY JOHNSTONE (2006)

At the end of the Autumn term, the Association and Kirsty Meredith, her former Midleton Housemistress, were thrilled to welcome back Lucy Johnstone (2006). After completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Exeter University, Lucy took an exploratory step into the marketing sector with NBC, a global media and entertainment company. Having secured her first promotion at NBC, she moved on to work at the BBC and then Sky where she is now Head of Entertainment and Partner Marketing.

Lucy gave us a unique insight into the varied work she enjoys day to day, from reading through new scripts from writers, meeting with directors and producers and even going on set to watch filming. We were particularly surprised by the number of shows she works on at any given time, and the different stages of production that each show undergoes, all the way from initial meetings, editing, read-throughs and filming until the final stages of promotions, premières and advertising. We were delighted to see one of the marketing trailers for Sky, which are produced in-house and coordinated by Lucy and her team.

After the presentation came a lively Q&A session unpacking the highlights of Lucy’s career, such as working on Game of Thrones and meeting with famous actors. It was a great opportunity for girls interested in careers in media and marketing to pose questions and explore opportunities within a global media company.

ST CAT’S CHATS

Cookery Club With Philip Friend

Philip Friend, (Maths Teacher & Head of Food and Nutrition - and finalist in the BBC Britain’s Best Home Cook 2018) entertained us in early December with a cooking demonstration broadcast live from The Art & MakerSpace Culinary Arts Studio. He made some delicious canapés: parmesan and poppy seed tuiles, festive stilton stuffed figs (left) and butternut squash & chickpea dip, as well as a glazed apple and mincemeat tart - all mouth-watering stuff ready for some Christmas baking! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed tuning in and asking Philip for his top-tips for a festive lunch from planning ahead to the perfect crunchy roast potatoes to vegetarian main course options to icing your Christmas cake.

If you are interested in receiving his recipes from this event, please email association@stcatherines.info.