Full name:
Davina Shore
Where did you grow up?
Cambridge (although I have Irish roots).
Education:
BEd Hons Bedford College, Certificate of Professional Practice with The British Kodaly Academy, Advisory Teacher with The Voices Foundation.
What do you enjoy most about working at King’s Ely?
I love the happy, purposeful and kind atmosphere at Acremont and the children have been so responsive.
Your previous roles and places of work:
Head of Pre Prep Music and Deputy Director of Music at King’s College School Cambridge. I left to start my own business, Davina Shore Music.
Hobbies/interests outside of school:
I love to travel, although the pandemic put a stop to that! Reading (I’m a member of a book group), swimming, Pilates, dance fit, singing, meeting up with friends, tapestry, dog walking, theatre, and I’m an active member of a church.
Any pets?
A beautiful Shetland Sheepdog (called Madra, which is Irish for dog) and we are about to have a new puppy in a few weeks!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always wanted to be a teacher. I used to cut out paper children from catalogues to be the children in my class. The staircase was the school bus and if anybody came down the stairs and trod on my paper children while they were on the way to school I got very upset!
What is your favourite meal/food?
Cashel blue cheese, crunchy asparagus, Italian food with lots of fresh basil, sweet chilli jam, pistachio ice cream – but not all together!
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To be able to communicate in any language fluently.
Who is your hero?
Atticus Finch. ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ had a profound influence on me growing up. When my children were younger I often referred them to the wisdom of Atticus: “You never really understand a person until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” In fact they joked about buying me a T-shirt with “What would Atticus think?” on it!
What was the last book you read?
‘The Dutch House’ by Ann Patchett.
What song are you most likely to sing at a karaoke?
‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen.
What is your favourite film?
‘Paddington’.
Do you have any phobias or fears?
I was terrified of Father Christmas when I was a child. How could this man who was so obviously in disguise and crept into my house in the darkness when I was asleep possibly be a good thing?!
Name three things you would want with you if stranded on a desert island for a week:
A good moisturiser, as I expect I would be doing a fair bit of swimming. I’d probably choose Jo Malone’s lime, basil and mandarin.
A mobile phone with great battery life, that way I could keep chatting with my family and friends (vital) and have access to books and music (desirable).
My dog(s).