Workdays and Weekends: Suzanne Littlejohn

Rhona recommended that we catch up with Suzanne and we're so glad that we did! (she lives up to her hashtag does our #RhonaRecommends). Suzanne is the Language and Activities Manager at Kilgraston School and spends her days speaking to people from all over the world, teaching English and Italian and organising some of the best summer camps in Perthshire. Lo Adoro!

1. What does a typical day at work look like for you?

My role has many facets and so I am never really sure what will happen. Most days, after my mandatory cup of coffee, I marvel at the internet! I know that sounds odd, but on a daily basis I am in contact with people from Russia, Ukraine, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Brazil and Uruguay to name only a few places. Emails ping in, people wanting more information on the summer English Language School that we have here at Kilgraston.

Frequently, I am asked unusual questions so I am often to be found around the campus photographing something in order to answer an enquiry from abroad – as a picture is worth 1000 words!

I also run the holiday mini camps for the school; swimming, tennis, horse riding, multi-sports, theatre and hockey. These camps run at Easter, throughout the summer and in October. Often I am found planning and marketing to make sure that parents and guardians have the most up to date information. I also send customer feedback surveys and make sure that what we are doing is what you want!

As a teacher, I have also taught English and Italian and now I am teaching marketing – so my days are never dull!

2. What signals the start of your weekend / days off?

Getting into my car and planning something fun to do with family or friends!

3. What makes for a perfect night in?

A perfect night in is cooking an Italian dish, a good film, fluffy socks and a glass of wine!

4. What makes for a memorable day or night out?

I think there are lots of factors that make a great day or night out. I think though, firstly, it is all about who you are with, how you are feeling and how able you are to put everything out your mind and enjoy the moment.

Recently, I spent a day out in Pitlochry, in the rain, looking at the fish ladder. It was great fun and it was memorable because of who I was with and the experience we shared.

5. Tell us about the weekend you’d love to live again?

Life is about going forward and looking for the best way to do that, but if I had to go back in time, I’d probably relive a weekend I spent in Naples and Rome. Again, it was who I was with – showing off the places I used to live in!

6. And now your best ever day at work?

I am lucky enough to have a lot of great days, but when I have children who tell me they just don’t want to go home (as camp has been great)… that is a great day at work!

7. Any workday or weekend rituals?

Every work day starts with a coffee and a happy hello to my great colleagues.

8. What’s in the perfect day off breakfast?

Scrambled eggs, bagels and ACE fruit juice. I discovered it in Italy and can only find it in one place in the UK, but it is worth the trip!

9. Any words of wisdom for us?

In moments when I need motivation I think of Henry Ford’s words; “if you think you can or you can’t, you’re right”

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Suzanne is the Language and Activities Centre Manager at Kilgraston School >>>