Lawrence O’Connell

I started Manningtree in 2006 with Miss Ramsey being my form tutor. I still remember all the support she gave to me over my five years and without her as my tutor, I don’t think I would have done as much as I have. She always believed in all of us and pushed us to do our best.

I have so many fond memories of being at Manningtree, including the school trips: Belgium war graves, Danbury outdoors and so many more.  When I was at school, geography was one of my favourite subjects and I will always remember the trip we went on to India, Miss O’Reilly (Mrs Scott) and Miss Blackford made that trip so memorable and were definitely the best teachers of geography.

During that trip we visited an orphanage, which inspired my desire to work in a role that allows me to help others.

When at school, I still remember being the student that would question, when in the future I would ever use the things I was learning about! I would often question this in science and maths. They were not always my favourite subjects, however the things I learnt at Manningtree, really helped me during my training as a nurse.

So I thank Mrs Hardy for my biology lessons and Mr Moreton for persevering with me in maths.  I now do microscopy on a daily basis and use my maths skills on a regular basis when working out drug calculations.

In Year 11, I become a senior Prefect. The experience of the interview and management really helped me. It helped me with all interviews since, and has helped with my management skills during my career.

Manningtree High School is also the place I felt comfortable to come out as gay. I will never forget the support I got from my teachers and from my friends at school. I had heard so many upsetting stories of people coming out, getting bullied and not getting support—I never faced any of this being at Manningtree.

After leaving Manningtree, I attended Sixth Form and earned A levels in geography, world development, citizenship and politics. I never knew about nursing or had an idea that I wanted to work in a hospital. It wasn’t until I went into hospital myself, that I decided I wanted to work in healthcare, and nursing was for me.

I subsequently earned a place at university to study adult nursing, and the GCSEs I received at Manningtree in science and maths, were pivotal in that achievement.

I completed my degree with a 2:1 Hons. My first nursing post was in a busy London trauma centre working in the emergency department. I worked there for two years before moving onto my current speciality, Sexual Health and HIV Care.

I often think about my time at Manningtree. The friends I have made for life and the many happy memories.

Never take for granted the time you have at secondary school and remember that the lessons you think you will never use as an adult, might actually come in useful. I will always go the extra mile for my patients and for the LGBT+ community we serve.

Lawrence O’Connell