Hello Highlands

Introducing our new colleagues…

‘Hello Highlands’ will introduce new colleagues via the bulletin as and when they’ve had their induction.

This September, Gareth Walker, Daniel Murphy, Lizzie Radcliffe and Jess Tidswell took part in their Highlands College induction.

Find out more about them here, and don’t forget to say hi when you see them around!

 

 

Name:  Gareth Walker 

Job role:  Lecturer of Business 

Why did you want to join Highlands?: After a year out of teaching it is a good opportunity to get back into it, and to go back to FE which is where I started my teaching career a while ago now!   

Are you from Jersey?: No, I am originally from Bradford, West Yorkshire, moving to Jersey in 2010 for work. It is still refreshing to be able to see the sea each and every day after living 75 miles from the coast for the first part of my life. 

Tell us something we may not know about you: I am also a football referee and was an assistant referee in this years Muratti, whilst often travelling to the UK for appointments in the lower leagues and FA Cup/FA Vase 

 

Name:  Daniel Murphy 

Job role:  Lecturer Prep Learning Department 

Why did you want to join Highlands?: I attended Highlands as a student in 2004 which helped me progress onto my degree course and then teacher training. The tutors I had at the time (some still here now) were key in guiding me towards the career I wanted and helping me reach university. The Support I received while at Highlands I am forever grateful for and I wanted the opportunity to come back and hopefully provide the same support for learners wherever they are at in their journey. 

Are you from Jersey?: I was born in Jersey and completed my teacher training at Brighton University. I have been teaching in Jersey for 14 years now. In my free time I try to squeeze in either a surf or a round of golf.

Tell us something we may not know about you: I helped organise, train, and run a peace initiative in the Middle East called football 4 peace (F4P). The overall aim of the programme was to bring Palestinian and Jewish children together through sport, breaking down cross-community conflict, I worked with 40 Jewish and Arab communities during my time with F4P and the programme has now grown being delivered in Gambia, Israel, Jordan, Korea and South Africa. 

 

Name: Lizzie Radcliffe 

Job role:  Business Support Team Leader 

Why did you want to join Highlands?: A buzzy, busy, creative place to work where one can hopefully make a difference. 

Are you from Jersey?: Not born here, but have been coming over since before I could walk to spend summers with my Granny.  Have always dreamt of returning one day. 

Tell us something we may not know about you: I’ve been passionate about improving my surfing since I was a teenager and now I get the chance to practice nearly weekly rather than once a year at most! 

 

Name: Jessica Tidswell 

Job role: Head of Marketing, Events & Communications 

Why did you want to join the team at Highlands?: Having worked in Jersey for the past five years as a journalist and diversity and inclusion lead for ITV, I have got to know many of the island’s communities and key figures well. It felt like a natural step to come to Highlands as it is a pillar of the community, everyone knows someone who has been here, or who works here – and I hope, using my contacts, I can help show off this incredible place to those who don’t know all about it!  

Are you from Jersey?: No, I grew up in North Yorkshire, began my career in Manchester and Salford and moved to Jersey in 2019 – it’s since become my home!  

Tell us something we may not know about you? My ‘sport’ growing up was ballet and I was lucky enough to dance on stage at Disneyland Paris and take part in a show at the Eiffel Tower.