Home » Featured Alumni Featured Alumni Our #alnsalumni – Lauren Golledge22nd March 2019I left ALNS in 2004, went to South Downs College, Chichester College and then Colchester Institute to continue studying drama and musical theatre, which was always my favourite subject at school. I graduated university in 2010 and moved back to Portsmouth, unsure of what to do as I didn’t feel that I had the skill set to be the actor that I had previously wanted to be. At the time I had a part time waitressing job, and was offered training to be a shift manager and thought- if it’s free training, it’s got to be worth it for the CV. Four years later I was a restaurant manager and involved with volunteering for a youth group in my spare time. I wanted a job where I had more personal satisfaction and applied for a job as a youth worker, stating my transferable skills from managing and developing a team, and mentoring and running group activities to meet the job description. I was blessed to be offered the position and after four years of taking every opportunity to challenge myself and gain experience, I was promoted to an operations manager role, which is currently what I am doing. My biggest achievement since leaving school is a tough question. I’d be tempted to say that it’s being able to live alone, pay my bills, look after myself and stay reasonably sane with my own company… but a close second would be getting my most recent promotion- I worked really hard to prove I could do it, and it eventually paid off. I’m not sure what my future goals are. At the moment I’m focusing on being the best I can be at my job and keeping my house in reasonable order! I like life to be more spontaneous than planned so will just have to see where life takes me! Just want to have my own family and go on lots of adventures! My advice to ALNS students would be: if there is training available, take it! Make the most of what life offers you. volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! It’s the way to get the “experience” that employers want but you can’t get without the chance, it also speaks volumes about the effort you are willing to go to and the person you are. Also, remember that life isn’t all about qualifications. There are many routes out there if you are not a strong academic, but you need to be willing to try at whatever you are doing. People everywhere are willing to help you, but life won’t get handed to you. Give every opportunity your best and no one can ask for more than that.... Read more...Our #alnsalumni – Holly Dennis15th March 2019What have you done after your life at ALNS? I have completed a level 3 health and social care qualification at Portsmouth College as well as coming back to ALNS to volunteer. What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? My biggest achievement since leaving ALNS is gaining a place at Chichester university to study primary teaching starting in September 2019. What are your future plans/goals? In the future I plan on qualifying as a primary school teacher What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? My biggest piece of advice would be work as hard as you can to give you the opportunity to do and be what ever you want to be and as much as you may not think it your teachers do know best... Read more...Our #alnsalumni – Natalie Relf15th March 2019What have you done after your life at ALNS? My name is Natalie Relf and after leaving ALNS I was lucky enough to gain a scholarship to a performing arts college called Laine theatre Arts. I was there for three years and upon graduating I was then lucky enough to work onboard some of the biggest cruise ships in the world. I am currently a dancer/singer onboard the carnival dream and feel very lucky and blessed to do a job that I love. What have your biggest achievements been since leaving ALNS? I would have to say that just being able to have a job that you can honestly say doesn’t feel like work is a achievement in itself. I feel very lucky that my job has enabled me to be able to see the world, and meet so many people from different walks of life. It’s a wonderful feeling getting to perform to people every night and to also make their holiday, as entertainment has become such a large part of the cruising industry! I work with some very talented individuals in a huge theatre with the latest technology! It’s constantly pushing me both vocally and physically and I love the challenge! What are you future plans/goals? I think now I’m at a time in my life where I want to think of the future and save now for a place of my own, as I have been constantly living on a floating home! I want to continue to push myself and am open to any new opportunity’s that my career can give me and excited for any new challenges that might come my way! What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? I would say to anyone that if there is something you really want in life, that anything is possible! It might take hard work and time but I think it’s so important to follow your dreams and aspirations. I can say that from experience that if you want something bad enough it will come to you in time! Make use of every opportunity that is given to you and know that everyone has their time to shine! Good luck!!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Jo Warwick15th March 2019Jo Warwick was Keen, left ALNS in 2001, was in the second intake to this new as yet un-built school. I have great memories of Penhale road school where we were temporarily while the school was being built. Moving to the new shiny big school was terrifying, we didn’t realise how lucky we we were. What have you done after your life at ALNS? Initially after leaving school I went to Havant college and studied travel and tourism, I worked for a couple of summers in Jersey in hotels but soon realised that, Jersey was too small a place and too far from home. I did a couple of summers working as an activity instructor for the scout association teaching children climbing, abseiling, archery and rifle shooting, this was hugely satisfying and rewarding but was again only seasonal work. Time to grow up and get a full time job so at the age of 22 I started an apprenticeship as an electrician with the NHS. During my apprenticeship I met my now husband at the training centre. I qualified as an electrician, when onto Southbank university to do an HNC in electrical and electronic engineering. Changed role within the NHS to monitor energy efficiency of buildings. Legislation changed and I was asked to carry out some waste audits…the only thing I knew about rubbish was to put it in a bin. Environmental management NEBOSH diploma later and my job really did become rubbish, I was the trust waste manager for 4 years. My colleague, who I shared an office with left, and suddenly I found myself doing his job as well as my own, I made a joke one day to the boss (who was just about to retire) I’m doing his job as well I should be getting his money ….so I got a promotion, to Building and Environmental Compliance Manager. It was around this time having been together for 8 years, and having brought a house together we decided it was time to get married. Later that same year we had our first daughter. 2 years later our second and last might I add daughter was born. I have just returned back to work after my 2nd maternity leave and I realised how much I miss work, the adult conversation and interactions. What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? Having 2 children, and remaining almost sane. What are your future plans/goals? Keep my family smiling and having fun, finish renovating our house – that we brought 6 years ago and to complete an extension to the house. Also a family holidays – buckets and spades on the beach, camping. What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? having goals are great it can focus you, however don’t forget the journey it makes you who you are. Don’t worry about changing your goals as your go along the journey.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Dan Rhodes13th March 2019Dan Rhodes – ALNS Leaver 2016 I attended sixth-form college and achieve three A’levels and now attend Brighton University studying Critical History and am living my best life… I LOVE IT! • What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? I would probably say managing to get through college as it was a very stressful period of my life, and of course getting an unconditional uni offer for Brighton!! What are your future plans/goals? I’m not 100% sure at the minute; I think i’d like to create my own space, whether that be a physical space or online, to talk about queer identity/history, politics and culture. Having my own magazine would be so cool!! What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? Enjoy your time there, Admiral was the best years of my life and I would go back in a heartbeat! Also shout out to Mrs Wisbey for being the BOMB!!!!!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Lucy Webb13th March 2019Since leaving ALNS in 2005 I have succeeded in numerous achievements to include further and higher education, a career working for one of the UKs leading airlines and even returned to ALNS as an employee working with the schools most vulnerable and challenging students. As well as reaching my goals academically and career success, I have also become a mother to three beautiful daughters. My biggest achievement to date was to continue and successfully complete my degree at university whilst having my two eldest daughters throughout the duration of my bachelor honours degree in business and tourism management. My commitment to my studies is which led me to working as an air hostess at British Airways; allowing me to really encompass all walks of life. I gained the desire to travel the world and view other cultures and traditions from a life changing trip to The Gambia in year 11 at ALNS. My future plans are to return to the aviation industry and possibly complete a masters degree too. The desire to study will never leave me having being taught the foundations of learning by such wonderful teachers at ALNS; most of whom are still teaching there to date! For students who are currently studying at ALNS; you don’t realise how lucky you are to be in such a nurturing, safe and friendly school surrounded by a team of passionate, caring and dedicated teachers. You’ll miss them as much as we do-promise!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Billie Deacon13th March 2019Billy Deacon – ALNS Leaver 2010 Since leaving ALNS I went on to study Musical Theatre at South Downs college and then achieved a BA honors in dance at Creative Academy. Since then I have then worked as a dancer, singer and choreographer around the world in many different countries including Greece, the Canary Islands and India in the Bollywood film Industry. I plan to continue dancing and begin to focus more on choreography, creating and providing shows for hotels. My long term dream is to own a dance school. My biggest advice is to take advantage of every single lesson, and extra curricular activity offered to you because after school, absolutely everything costs money! This is the only time in your life you have a group of specialised professionals invested into helping you grow and develop, completely for free, appreciate it while it lasts.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Holly Ramejkis13th March 2019Hi I’m Holly Ramejkis now 32, mum to 3 beautiful boys, since leaving Admiral I’ve had a list of jobs from being a legal secretary to selling mobile phone, over the past 5 years is where I have found my dream job. I currently run a photography company called dimples and daisies. We empower women and help them through difficulties they maybe having through photography. We also capture families in nature such as stunning lavender fields and bluebell woods. As well as doing this I also run a product photography company called tales of boys. Where I photograph clothing ranges for children and mums. My biggest achievement with this is being asked by a huge brands in the baby industry such as Fred and Noah and nuby to work with them. For me Admiral helped me grow who I am today. My passion was drama which I excelled in at school. I still use many of my acting skills now to entertain children to help them perform in front of a camera. I hope to carry on doing what I am doing and grow further into working with bigger brands and being a well know product photographer. I also hope to empower women young girls to feel better about their self’s. This year I hope to hold teen workshops to help with bullying and their feelings towards their appearance.... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Rosie King13th March 2019Rosie King – ALNS Leaver 2013 What have you done after your life at ALNS? Whilst at school I discovered my love and passion for acting. After leaving ALNS I went on to train at drama college in Essex and am now a working professional actress. What has your biggest achievement been since leaving ALNS? My biggest achievement has been graduating drama college and living my dream. What are your future plans/goals? I hope to secure steady work in the acting industry and land a long term role! What advice would you give to current students at ALNS? Don’t ever think that your dream is unreachable. When you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything! Do what makes YOU happy, and don’t follow others because you think that’s the best way to be accepted. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!... Read more...Our #alnsAlumni – Billy Cornish13th March 2019Billy Cornish – ALNS Leaver 2013 Hi I’m Billy Cornish I’m 22 and I went to alns in 2008-2013. After ALNS I went to Portsmouth college for a year, then I began working on the railway when I was 18. My biggest achievement since leaving school has been running in the great south run and completing it in under 2 hours and also losing 5 stone in weight in under a year. In the future I hope to rise through the ranks at my company and learn more throughout my career. My advice to students is keep your head down, do your work and don’t act the class clown like I did! Work hard!... Read more... 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