Friday Feature: Mrs Mills & Mrs Scannell

I was born and grew up in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. I qualified as a registered nurse in 1993 and have worked in hospitals in Scotland, London, and Surrey. I was a specialist orthopaedic nurse for many years but also worked as a practice nurse at a GP surgery. I now live just outside Hambleden with my husband and our new puppy.

I’m most looking forward to getting to know all the pupils and staff and being able to have a positive influence on pupils’ health and education.

My favourite thing so far is the fantastic welcome I’ve received from everyone I’ve met and the beautiful grounds the school is set on. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work here.

I love to listen to music and reading fiction. I have 2 grandchildren so love spending time with my family.  Since getting our new puppy ‘Ziggy’  I am now able to enjoy country walks when not working.

My advice to my younger self would be to study harder at school so that I could have gone to medical school and become a doctor, I also wish I could have travelled more after leaving college.

I have always admired Florence Nightingale who was the founder of modern nursing whose birthday is celebrated every year by nurses across the world.

I am from Manchester originally and trained there qualifying in 1990. I am an accident and emergency nurse specialist, and have worked in many accident departments since I qualified. I also had a stint in the army as a nursing officer too. I now live in Farnham with my husband, daughter and little dog Rosie. My son moved out a few years ago.

I am looking forward to the challenge that caring for teenagers brings in all its mad forms. As well as meeting new people and getting to know the pupils and staff better.

My favourite thing so far (not to be too cheesy) is the way I have been welcomed by both the staff and the pupils. As well as the open and friendly atmosphere.

Out of school I volunteer for a local charity as much as I can. I am quite crafty and spend my free time making things for the charity to sell to help generate funds. As well as walking the dog in the countryside (once my new knee has healed of course).

If I were to give advice to my younger self I would say “don’t listen to others criticism. You are doing ok” Plus “you are plenty good enough in whatever you want to do and be. Again I say you are good enough”. Lastly “travel when you can and experience as much as you can possibly fit in”.

I have admired lots of people in my life, mostly not famous people. There are pivotal people in life who support you and show you the way. They are the people to be upheld. Being able to do that for another person is a skill to be admired. Bolstering others and enabling them.