Great Scot December 2017 GreatScot_152_Dec_Online | Page 44

Staff in profile
Interview:
Kathy
Alsop
Personal Assistant to
the Director of Music
What was your work background before
coming to Scotch?
I have worked in a variety of administrative
roles in offices in the UK, including a motor
dealership, British Gas, and a software company.
For 12 years before coming to Australia I worked
for American International Group, a multinational
insurance corporation. The first five years were
based in Bristol and London, then an opportunity
arose to be a Senior Administration Officer in the
company’s South-East Asia head office, based in
Hong Kong. I spent seven years there, which was
an amazing work and life experience.
What do you like about your role at Scotch,
and what is involved in your current role?
I love that there are so many varied tasks and
interactions with boys, parents and staff in my role
as PA to the Director of Music. My role can include
anything from organising concerts, overseas
tours and music camps to preparing budgets,
reconciling accounts and planning scholarship
auditions. Through all of these tasks, I enjoy the
interaction with the greater Scotch community.
I always feel enthusiastic about any of my
responsibilities in the office. I believe that there
are always opportunities for implementing new
systems in my workload, resulting in a more
effective way of completing tasks. Many of my
duties require gathering information from the
Music staff, and I get a lot of job satisfaction by
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helping to make their administrative tasks easier,
so they can focus more on their teaching. which turned out to be valuable as my husband is
a professional musician.
What aspects of personal development do
you believe Scotch boys gain from music?
I believe that in music, Scotch boys experience
a deep and profound level of communication. I
often witness the boys helping and supporting
each other, thus developing stronger bonds of
friendship and accomplishments. What is your favourite corner of the school,
and why?
The James Forbes Academy, of course,
the Chapel and the beautiful gardens between,
especially when all the roses are in bloom.
Music plays an important part in your life,
both at work and away from Scotch. What
kinds of music do you enjoy?
My parents always encouraged me to
be open-minded and enjoy a broad range of
interests. So perhaps classical and jazz would be
my favourites, but I really do enjoy many different
types of music. Music has always been a big part
of my life. My father was an organist, my mother
taught piano and my aunt was a concert pianist,
therefore as I was growing up, many hours were
spent listening to music and hearing conversations
about music. I also learned and understood the
focus and commitment that musicians have,
What do you do to relax, away from Scotch?
I enjoy a good movie or a good book. I like
to walk regularly, come rain or shine, and I enjoy
horseriding, although that is not very relaxing! I
love going to a variety of concerts and shows, and
this year I have been to see Patti Austin perform
with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the
Australian Ballet, Coldplay, James Taylor and
Cirque du Soleil.
Great Scot Number 152 – December 2017