In this week’s ‘A Conversation With… ’ we chat to Database Manager, Mrs Hanna Edimoh, who has been with Shiplake since 2008. Mrs Edimoh moved to the UK from her native Romania in 2006 for a ‘gap year’ with her husband, but loved it so much she ended up staying!
Can you let us know when you joined Shiplake and the roles you held previously and currently?
I joined Shiplake in 2008 as Database Manager, and still do that role today, although it has changed massively over the years.
The main part of my job is making sure that whatever Management Information System we have in place is working (we use iSAMS for things such as registrations, reporting, excellent/infractions and communications with parents), and accessible to staff and parents. A lot of what I do is about extracting data and making it meaningful for people around the College. This includes drawing out statistics for teachers to help them report back to parents about pupil progress. I also have to ensure staff are able to use the system, and help them with training on its different features.
What got you interested in the field you work in?
I studied politics in my home country of Romania but worked in software sales part time while doing my degree and really enjoyed it. In 2006 I moved to England with my now husband for a ‘gap year’ after his training to become a priest (he trained for 9 years and wanted to come to England to do a masters degree) - we worked as au pairs to help with our English, I also watched lots of soaps, listened to The Archers and read magazines, and within six months my English was a lot more fluent. However, the ‘gap year’ seems to have lasted a little longer and we are still here!
I then worked in sales for Microsoft, working with Microsoft partners and on various projects, and then the job at Shiplake came up and the rest is history.
Everyday I learn something new about my field of work and software and I love it!
What's a normal day like at Shiplake for you?
Pre lockdown, a normal day looked like this for me: I always start the day at 6am by reading. I have three books on the go at the moment. I love Lee Child and self improvement books. I then get my two daughters ready for school and off to breakfast club. When I get into school the first thing I do is run a registration report for teachers. I then have coffee and check my emails. Then it could be anything from helping a teacher with some stats or helping a parent with the iSAMS system. I may then do some one-to-one training with staff members, or help them with various projects they are working on. The system is always evolving, so I am always having to set up new modules. I then work on school reports, chase up missing data and collate data like grades and send out reports to parents every four weeks to update on pupils’ progress.
Since lockdown I am still collating attendance registers, assisting with access to the parent portal, preparing progress reports for pupils and various other daily iSAMS routines. I am also involved with providing data being used for preparing the central-assessed grades for those in Years 11-13 who have had their public examinations cancelled.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I run and am leader at a local Rainbows group, which I love. I also help out at Brownies and run the Sunday School at my church. I am class rep for my daughter’s class at primary school too. Outside of that, I love to read, visit the library and go to the gym.
Who do you admire most in the world and why?
It has to be my husband. He is an amazing guy and my best friend - we have known each other since we were eight! We are celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. He is a great people person, and an amazing father and husband. He also makes me laugh and we have great fun together.
What does the future hold for you?
I hope to have more time to read - I love escaping in books. I hope to raise two healthy daughters into adulthood, and I would love to travel more.
I would love to go to Peru, and go trekking in Central America. I would also like to go back to Asia, in particular Cambodia. The people there are amazing - a lot of them have nothing, but they are so happy to be alive. This was a real reality check for me.
