SPOTLIGHT – MARK SULLY
The spotlight turns to our affable, super-organised and football loving Deputy Head (Academic), Mark Sully.
Mark is in his fifth year at Warminster School, having been Head of Maths for the previous four years. Prior to Warminster, he worked at Wells Cathedral School. Originally from Plymouth, Mark now lives in Shepton Mallet with his wife Jemma, 14 month old son Joshua and their two cats. His favourite pastime is football, sadly there is no time for him to continue his playing career nowadays, but he does get great joy (most of the time) in following his beloved Plymouth Argyle.
How long have you worked at Warminster?
This is my fifth year.
What’s the best thing about your role?
The best thing about my role is that I get to speak with and see many more colleagues other than those in Maths – not that I dislike spending time with my fellow mathemagicians!
Describe a typical day?
Wake up sometime between 5.30-6.30, depending when Joshua wakes.
Arrive at work for 8-ish.
Put the day’s emergency cover requirements in place.
Staff briefing or church.
Read and reply to hundreds of emails.
Meetings, meetings and “admin time”.
Occasionally teach.
Drink lots of tea.
Sometime between 3-5pm put the cover in place for the following day.
More meetings.
Home normally for 6.30ish.
Father-son time.
Put Joshua to bed around 7.30pm.
Eat dinner, do some marking or emails and crash sometime between 9.30-10.30pm.
What do you think makes Warminster a special place to live and learn?
The campus is stunning and the work that the grounds men do is fantastic. It really is a beautiful place to work and learn. The staff are very special. The camaraderie and togetherness of the staffroom make it a very special place to work.
What would surprise us about you?
I used to be a Special Constable in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. I was fortunate enough to be able to combine 4 hours of duties a week with my university studies for two years.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Most boys' dream, a footballer. When it became clear that I was not going to make the grade, then I was convinced I would become a policeman, hence why I was a Special Constable for two years. During my second year at university I toyed with applying to be a pilot in the RAF, but I think this was the influence of the film Top Gun!
What did your school reports say about you?
That I was a quiet pupil, but highly competitive. In the written subjects I would always try to get away with the bare minimum.
Your note/advice to teenage self?
Work harder and make the most of the opportunities put in front of you. You don’t want to look back and have any regrets.
Biggest bugbear?
My biggest bugbear is my fear of failure.
Favourite musician/group?
I have a few but currently George Ezra. However, there is a rather unknown Swedish artist called Eagle Eyed Cherry whose music is fantastic and I would highly recommend a listen.
Guilty pleasure?
Coca-Cola. I can’t get enough of the stuff, but I try to limit myself to 3/4 cans a week. One New Year I drank six cans and then couldn’t get to sleep until 5am!
If you were on Masterchef what would your signature dish be?
My signature dish is a Jamie Oliver recipe, which I have adapted slightly. It’s a Thai influenced chicken dish combined with chilli and ginger.
Last book you read?
The Maths in the Simpsons by Simon Singh
Last movie watched?
American Sniper. Fantastic film, if you’ve not seen it, I highly recommend it.
Favourite tipple?
I’m tee total so I would have to say Coca-Cola.
Favorite place/city in the world and why?
I have a few. The Hoe in Plymouth is beautiful and I have many happy memories growing up there. I loved Sydney when I visited in 2006. My guilty pleasure is Las Vegas. My wife and I spent three nights there on our honeymoon and it is unlike anywhere else I have ever visited in the world. I would love to go back.
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter. I am a convert from Facebook, as I’ve found Facebook to now be all about pictures of ones lunch/dinner or re-posts of supposedly funny videos.