A Huge Tick off my Bucket List!

I’m always inspired by seeing friends and colleagues chase their dreams and achieve their goals, and it brings me so much joy to witness their success. On this occasion though, I’m delighted to share that I’ve had the privilege of fulfilling one of my own dreams.

I’ve just returned from an unforgettable trip to New York with my husband, Mike, after having the incredible honour of delivering the keynote address at the Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges Conference at St. Andrews School in Rhode Island. That was an incredible experience - to present to delegates from across the USA on such a beautiful campus.

After the conference, I met Mike in New York City, as it was the perfect opportunity to mark a huge tick on my bucket list. The big apple has so many iconic buildings and sights to see, we began with a visit to the Statue of Liberty and a cruise around the bay, followed by taking in the breathtaking views from the top of the Empire State Building. Grand Central Station’s architecture was beautiful and so iconic, we also hired a couple of bikes and cycled around Central Park which was amazing. Times Square was just incredible, so much activity and all the bright lights!

We also paid our respects at the One World Trade Centre and the 9/11 Memorial, which was a moving and meaningful experience. Chinatown, the Brooklyn bridge and a visit to 5th Avenue & Macy’s finished off our trip, but the absolute highlight was just being in the right place at the right time to get 2 last minute tickets in a box, for Othello, starring the incredible Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. The performance was simply stunning. We are so blessed to have seen it.

This trip was the perfect blend of professional growth and personal adventure. It was such a rewarding experience to engage with passionate educators at the Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges Conference and then take the time to explore the vibrant culture and history of New York City. I'm leaving this journey feeling inspired, energized, and ready to bring these experiences and insights into my future work. Excited for what’s ahead!