Sarah Rosenberg

1999 to 2000

After d’Overbroeck’s, I went to Swansea University to read English. I got my 2:1, then went to Cardiff to do a post graduate diploma in Magazine Journalism. I spent the summer after that freelancing and being poor, then managed to wangle a job at Future Publishing. Right now, I am a Production Editor for one of Future Publishing’s successful craft magazines. I’m commuting long distances from Swansea to Bath and back every day, but am generally enjoying life.

Thinking of d’Overbroeck’s, so many warm memories come flooding back. From summer parties at Beechlawn to hazily remembered evening parties in Freuds, Art classes with Nick and role playing with Max! The horrendous mocks every Saturday morning (but I'm so glad we did them now!), The Polstead Road Drama group, Adrienne Gould and her coloured pens… Sami and Richard playing good cop/bad cop at my interview, Polly's plays, General Studies with Dom, The Bakehouse "staff room" (which we turned into a free for all common room).

I hate to sound sycophantic, but my main memories are of the staff and their total devotion to their students. Especially Mr Alasdair MacPherson, without whom I would never have succeeded so well in my English A Level. His passion for his subject is infectious and you're swept along with his energy and enthusiasm (yes, even when it comes to John Donne!). He saw my potential (this included my potential for laziness as well as my ability to pull in A grades a-plenty) and made me work the hardest I have ever worked throughout my schooling. If it had not been for him seeing that I could do better and pushing me to constantly do my best I would never have done so well in that subject. I always thought the best I could ever get was a B and did not have confidence in my own ability. Alasdair made me see myself as a bright, intelligent and incredibly able person… so getting that A grade not only got me into university, it totally changed me for the better. Alasdair is one of the most amazing people I have ever met – I have so much to thank him for and consider myself so lucky to have had him as my tutor.