Enterprise boss displays on first 12 months at unbiased faculty – enormous funding, an increase in college students and redevelopment forward

AN ENTERPRISING enterprise supervisor celebrating his first 12 months with a number one unbiased faculty mirrored on a interval of development, redevelopment, and funding.

St Gerard’s Faculty has been a mainstay in Bangor since 1915, and the final 12 months has been among the many most pivotal in its historical past.

Enterprise Supervisor Steve Griffiths, from Church Bay, Anglesey, revealed how greater than 25 years’ expertise within the industrial sector – together with gross sales, transport, and recruitment – performed its half in shaping progress on the beloved establishment.

A ten% rise in pupils, new Sports activities amenities, a whole rebranding train and bringing all learners underneath one roof – neighbouring buildings presently used for early years provision have been bought topic to contract – are simply a number of the achievements he and the group, led by headteacher Campbell Harrison, have achieved since final summer season.

“That is way over a job for me, and that’s not simply due to the non-public connection as my daughter is a pupil right here,” stated Steve.

“St Gerard’s is a dwelling and respiration setting, famend for tutorial excellence, however whereas I’m keen about that facet we additionally needed to concentrate on industrial parts, with it being an unbiased entity.

“Now we have carried out a lot in a brief house of time, and from my facet the emphasis was on bringing my personal sector background into training and taking a look at how we may be extra industrial to enhance amenities – together with school rooms, sporting provision, and normal IT infrastructure – whereas retaining our core values.

“There have been challenges, and there might be others on the way in which, so we have gotten much more sustainable and environment friendly, by reducing our carbon footprint, creating income streams and future-proofing the college.”

Steve pointed to the “enormous potential” at St Gerard’s given its distinctive location within the coronary heart of town.

“It is a seven-acre metropolis centre web site which is near all facilities however surrounded by woodland and picturesque gardens in an idyllic area, it’s one thing of an oasis for the pupils and employees,” he stated.

“We’re maximising what we now have and constructing on that, working in tandem and looking out ahead to seeing how issues develop.”

Revamped Sports activities amenities together with Tennis courts and a Multi-Use Video Games Space (MUGA) are proposed for this autumn and observe the development of a wildlife ‘wellness stroll’ across the campus and an improve to the gardens, entry, fencing, signage, and exterior and inner redecoration, notably a mindfulness room and mum or dad areas.

“We’re in a constructive place, however you should nonetheless anticipate and adapt, which is what we’ve carried out and can proceed to do to develop,” stated Steve.

“I’m pleased with all the things we’ve launched, and importantly how the dad and mom have engaged and supported us on our journey, whereas we in flip have carried out rather a lot for native charities, alumni, and organisations locally.

“There have been little issues which have a huge impact, even a lick of paint and adorning corridors and rooms with pupils’ incredible art work for instance, whereas being fairly entrepreneurial in some situations, taking a look at greatest methods to utilise the house we now have.”

He added: “There are plenty of USPs, and folks can see that, which in flip led to a rise in numbers from 12 months 7 onwards, bucking the pattern and fostering a way of belief and accountability that that is the right setting for younger learners.

“It is a faculty, so studying is the precedence, and this has positively been a studying curve for me! However I’ve loved each second and am happy we now have managed to improve and modernise areas of St Gerard’s whereas retaining its traditions and being sympathetic to our environment.

“We all know our historical past however are centered on development and sustainability, for the subsequent technology and past.”

For extra on Ysgol St Gerard’s, go to the web site www.st-gerards.org and observe them on social media. Alternatively, e-mail [email protected] or name 01248 351656.