60 Seconds with Mrs Connolly, Director of STEM
Tell us a bit about yourself...
Kent born but moved with my family to Cheshire when I was younger. I am a medicinal chemist and studied in Manchester; trained as a teacher whilst lecturing and doing research in uni. Taught in state schools and Dubai. I joined KC as the Director of STEM from Millfield in Somerset where I was Head of Chemistry and live-in boarding staff.
I am very much a STEMinist at heart; I want to drive up the numbers of females in STEM university courses and industry. I love teaching in the classroom; it is where I am happiest. Outside of school, I love crafts, particularly cross stitching and using my Cricut. I am a bit of a petrol-head and enjoy taking my Mustang out for a country drive on a Sunday morning. I have recently rediscovered my love of Netball after accompanying the sports trip to South Africa in 2023, and I now play for two teams a week, mainly as Goal Attack.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Exam results day - seeing all the student's hard work paying off with their list of grades. That is truly the best bit about teaching.
What top advice would you give to students studying your subject?
Start early, prioritise learning from your mistakes from the start of the course, never tell yourself that you will sort it out one day, that day won't come in time. You can never do enough past papers!
What are the department highlights and upcoming events?
STEM club has now diversified and is on two days to make way for multiple amazing projects.