Jack Enever

My time at Manningtree High School were some of the best times of my life looking back. Always being around such amazing friends everyday and having good laughs on our breaks. My friends group wasn’t big, but we were the group of kids that liked Marvel and video games—that sort of thing. I was also the type of person who would panic on the inside when a teacher asked me a question. Whether I knew the answer or not, I would always have that fear of failure in the back of my mind. I’m still like that now to this day, but instead of calling it failure, its now called taking a risk!

I was never really into sports, Music, or Drama, but I was once a buddy for the new round of Year 7’s, just because I knew there were going to be students arriving, who like me, in the first couple of weeks of school, would have had a fear of secondary school and new environments.

I also helped on an Open Evening in the Food Tech class, where we were making pizzas for the parents and possible future students for MHS. Doing theses extra activities gave me the small head start by proving to myself and others that I can work hard, I am dedicated to anything I set myself and that I was willing to put myself in situations that I knew I would struggle with I the heat of the moment. I came out of all of these situations a better person.

I was always better at learning by being hands on. For me, I knew cooking was my main interest and passion. I remember I would always try and get out of my other lessons and my form group just to go into the food room to either catch up on work or start planning my next dish to cook for the next practical lesson. I knew working with food was what I wanted to do and then build a career around it.

So many of the teachers at MHS have inspired me in one way or another. Some of the teachers are still there from when I was a student. And the ones that stood out for me are: Miss Blackford (Food Tech and Geography) for always pushing me to my full potential. Mrs Hunt (Food Tech) always helping me to come up with new dishes for my practical’s. Mr Pretty (Science), just for his brilliant Chewbacca impression, which always made me laugh. Mr Le May (Construction) for always being one of the most chilled out teachers anyone has ever met. A huge amount of respect will always be shown towards yourselves, and the others not mentioned, and I thank you all personally for everything you have done for me and the other students during our time at MHS.

I have always studied food from school right up to college. I completed a full three years at Colchester Institute, where I was being taught by some amazing chefs from high end London restaurants and I now work in a restaurant in Colchester. I’ve picked up many skills to help me in the hospitality trade—like leadership and communication and being able to work under a large amount of pressure on busy days or when you’re feeling tired. I would never say it’s an easy trade to be in. From early mornings and late finishes, like me, when you set your heart and soul into something you do, the reward is so much greater than the effort you put into the task at hand.

The most memorable moment I have from my time MHS must be the ten mile Sponsored walks. It was a break from the routine of school and having the day where I could spend time with the most amazing people I still know to this day, and just the laughs we would have. It will be these memories you look back on when your older and remember the good times you had.

Finally, for anyone who is unsure about what you want to do when you leave school or education, just find something that makes you excited or happy when you wake up in the mornings. Whether its something others might think isn’t possible, keep pushing yourself to achieve what you want to in life. Everything will work out in the long run it—it just takes time.