Rosie Holliday, our vivacious and loyal Head Receptionist, has retired after an amazing 41 years at King’s!
There was not a dry eye in the house on the last day of term, when Rosie was thanked for her energy and dedication to the school. Although something tells us that we might still see lots of Rosie, given that she lives in Ely and has King’s running through her veins!
Rosie said: “If I was a stick of rock and you cut me in half, I think that it would say King’s Ely. I am going to miss everything about King’s and I am so sad to be leaving a job that I love, but it is time to have a little bit more ‘me time’ now.”
Rosie first started working at King’s in December 1973, when it was called The King’s School Ely.
Rosie, who was shortlisted for an Ely Hero Award in 2020, said: “King’s was a very different place in 1973. Thank goodness for new technology – no more manual typewriters or ridiculously slow photocopiers!
“The school was a very formal place back then. Ladies were not allowed to wear trousers and men all wore suits. Girl students had only just joined in 1970, so the school was starting to grow in numbers. It is brilliant to see pupils now having so many ways to gain confidence and be their own person.”
Rosie had a few years away from King’s when her daughters, Amy and Lucy, were born. However, she received a telephone call asking her if she would like to return to Reception, which is where she has worked ever since.
Rosie said: “I have worked at King’s for 41 years in total! I have always worked in The Bursary, which is where Main Reception is. However, I have done several other jobs around school over the years, including evening library duties, teaching cycling proficiency in the Junior School, and helping out on the other Reception Desks around school when needed.
“I have worked at many School Open Days, which I really loved doing. I have also presented an occasional session on nails and beauty in Hill House and Etheldreda House, so although I have had the same job it has had lots of variations!”
Rosie has been Honorary Secretary of The Old Eleans Club for the last 14 years, and she will continue to do this.
When asked what her retirement plans are, Rosie said: “My plan is to slowly wean myself away from King’s! I would like to travel with my husband, Nick, starting off with some capital cities in Europe. I would then like to visit many of the Gap Students who I have worked with. They live in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, so that is the grand plan.”
Thank you for everything and Happy Retirement, Rosie – you deserve it!