Zara Healy
Age: 37
When were you at Princethorpe?
1988 - 1990
What did you do after leaving the College?
I completed an English Degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism, then worked for the BBC in the Midlands for a decade as a radio and television reporter and producer.
What are you doing now?
I live in Lincoln with my family and work full time as a senior Lecturer in Media Production
at the University of Lincoln, teaching radio.
I also freelance as a BBC radio newsreader/producer and I am currently writing my first book which is due to be published in Feb 2010.
What was the school like in your day?
Very good, with a relaxed atmosphere. The Sixth Formers were treated as mature adults and it was a very exciting time. There was an emphasis on hard work but you were encouraged to be yourself and the social life was good. Quite different after an all girls, convent school.
How did Princethorpe affect the person you are today?
It gave me lots of confidence in my academic abilities, the teaching was very good in all my A Level subjects with teachers encouraging us to be creative and confident. Two outstanding teachers were Moira Weir, who taught English and Rosie Neal, who taught Theatre Studies.
They both treated students with great respect like adults and they were really interested in students as individuals and extremely supportive and encouraging.
I remember their teaching to this day.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Stop worrying, don't be so reticent to speak to others. Listen more. Exercise more.
Who or what has been the greatest influence on your life?
Rosie Neal was a big influence on me and lots of others.
What keeps you awake at night?
Nothing.
What has been your proudest moment/greatest achievement so far?
Latin GCSE and the birth of my two kids.
What’s your biggest indulgence?
Red wine, trashy magazines and good coffee.
If you had to have one last meal, what would it be?
A strong, well made coffee with dark chocolate on the side.
What is your favourite TV Show and why?
Hardly get time to watch much but I really like decent documentaries.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be and who would be with you?
Going on a very long walk through
beautiful woodland, with friends/family and heading somewhere nice for lunch.
