Staff Spotlight: Paulette Roberts
Whilst we are all adapting to home learning/working, we thought that we would catch up with some of our staff members to find out more about them - and see what they have been up to during lockdown! This week, we catch up one of our support staff.
Tell us about yourself?
I’m Paulette Roberts from Rhodesia. I came to the UK in the late 70’s. Then, after I did some world-wide travelling - I came back to Scotland and am now living in Errol.
What is your role at Perth College UHI?
National Training Programmes (NTP) Coordinator. I do the administration side - working with Modern Apprentices (MA’s) who are signed up for work-based SVQ programmes across several sectors: Hairdressing; Hospitality; Health and Social Care; Customer Services; and Business and Admin.
What’s the best part of your job?
Watching my MA’s gain in confidence as they progress through their programme and finally complete.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
That I crossed the Atlantic in a 10.5m sailboat, having never sailed before, with a crew of 2.
Favourite type of food?
Avocado and mango
Have you been cooking or baking anything nice during lockdown?
Making my favourite South African dish ‘Bobotie’
Favourite holiday destination?
Arran. Once you have left the mainland, and are heading for the island, you feel as though you are leaving all your troubles behind and travelling to somewhere special. Arran is described as ‘Scotland in miniature’, and the reason for that is in the northern part - where the highest hill called Goatfell is situated - it is like the north of Scotland, wild and rugged. In the south of the island, it is very fertile and tropical because of the gulf stream. Wherever you go, there is an abundance of wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Where would you like to go when lockdown is over and it is safe to travel again?
A canal boat trip in France
Favourite book?
Anything by John Grisham
Have you been reading any good books during lockdown?
Yes, Origin by Dan Brown
Favourite TV show?
The Chase
What TV shows have you been watching during lockdown?
The Chase and our own DVD’s
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A school teacher
If you were a super-hero, what type of powers would you have?
Healing
First thing you would do if you won £1 million?
Find a single storey house for my mum and sister’s family to live
Who, or what, inspires you?
Watching talented artists at work creating amazing paintings, makes me want to do the same!
What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
Be confident, always believe in yourself and you can achieve wonders – my husband
Happiest memory?
My wedding day, followed by our honeymoon in USA and Canada
And most embarrassing?
When my husband won me in a lottery and proposed on bended knee in front of lots of people, which he had pre-arranged!!
What else have you been doing during lockdown to keep busy?
Gardening, walking, keeping fit at home, art, cooking, Sudoku and jigsaw puzzles.
