former pupils...
Neil Pointon
Neil was born in 1964 and lived in Church Warsop. He attended Meden school between 1976- 1981. He played for Everton F.C. until 1985 when he signed for Man City where he played until 1992.
Jamie Johnson
Jamie attended Meden School between 1983-1988. He became the Scottish Open 60kg Judo Champion in 1993 & 1994, British Champion in 1994, Commonwealth Champion in 1994 and won The Mansfield Sports Personality of the year in 1993.
Jamie was nicknamed "ragger" due to his willingness to get on the mat with anyone no matter what their size or experience. Jamie has a vast knowledge of, and experience in, judo and grappling.
Bruce French
Bruce was born in Warsop in 1959. He attended Meden school between 1970-1976. He played for Notts C.C. and made his England debut against India in1986 as Wicket keeper. He played for England until 1988
Helen Palmer
Former Meden Pupil Helen Palmer will be representing Great Britain in the Olympics in Athens and will be hoping to hit the target. Helen who works for Alliance and Leicester as a financial advisor has been shooting arrows since the age of 14. Within the first six months she was propelled into the British Junior Archery Team, but it then took a back seat as studying and her career took preference.
It wasn't until November 2000 that Helen began to wonder whether she would be good enough to go to the Olympics. Last July Helen took part in the World Championships in Central Park, New York, where she finished in thirteenth place and qualified for Athens. I'm sure you will join us in wishing her well at the Olympics.
Nicola Dale
After leaving Meden in 1998 I went on to study my A Levels at Netherthorpe School in Chesterfield. During this time I also worked one day a week as a Production Runner at Carlton Studios in Nottingham and this initially ignited my passion for all things media-related.
After completing my A Levels in 2000, I went on to study a BA Hons in 'Media Professional Studies' at Liverpool John Moores University and in 2002, secured a paid work placement at Mersey Television, working on Channel Four's 'Hollyoaks'. Also during my time at uni, I used to do tv extra work to earn some extra money - programmes I've appeared on include 'Cutting It', 'Crossroads', 'Peak Practice', and 'Merseybeat', as well as a brief appearance in the first Harry Potter movie! :)
After graduating with my BA in 2003 I was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship to study a Masters degree in Australia, all expenses paid.I subsequently moved to Perth (W.Australia) in Feb 2004 to study for my Masters in Electronic Business.
I completed the programme in May this year and have since secured a position as 'Account Manager' for Linc Integrated (www.lincintegrated.com.au) in Perth, one of Australia's largest PR and advertising agencies.
So - that's where I'm currently at, I hope anyone at Meden who remembers me is well and thanks again for being such an excellent starting platform.
Love and best wishes,
Nikki.
Joe Sentance - Attended Meden From 1993-1998 (House - Clyfton)
After leaving Meden in 1998 I assisted Simon Mapletoft, another former Meden pupil, covering Mansfield Town matches across the country gaining experience of print media by helping compile reports and also radio through doing a regular show on Millside Hospital Radio and any freelance work that I could find covering football for varied organisations including BBC Radio London and Darlington radio station Alpha 103.2. During this period I also edited Mansfield Town's matchday programme and was the club's Media Manager. It was a fantastic experience as I got behind the scenes knowledge of how a football club works.
In September 2001, I joined Mansfield 103.2 as a news journalist and within a week found myself covering the biggest story in years with the September 11th terrorist attacks which was the longest day of my working life. Since then I have presented and produced various programmes including the Sports Show, War in Iraq Breakfast Special and as of August last year became a regular presenter on the station.
I can currently be found presenting "The Evening Show" from Monday to Thursday at 8pm, "Saturday Breakfast" each Saturday from 7am and "Sunday Lunch"
My long term ambitions are to work for a major national radio station, but I'll never forget the Meden experience!
Adam Betteridge - Attended Meden From 1994-1999 (House - Whiteman)
Well I did my 5 fantastic years at meden school, then I went on to work at Kwik save for a year. I then left Kwik save to join the RAF in which I'm still serving now. I've currently been in the RAF three and a half years and I'm writing this story at Basrah International Airport in Iraq were I'm doing a two month tour. I'm currently based at RAF Brize Norton on tactical communications wing.
The only message I can give to students at meden at the moment is to listen to your teachers that's if you don't want to end up working at Kwik save.
Marc Shaw - Attended Meden From 1992-1999 (House - Rutland)
I Left Meden in 1999 after completing my A-Levels in Design Technology, P.E., Biology and General Studies (this is also a formal apology to all my teachers for not putting enough effort into my studies! Sorry for being such a pain!). Went on to begin my degree in BSc Sport Technology at Sheffield Hallam University, where I spent three years learning about engineering, materials and design for sport equipment and surfaces (basically!). In November 2002, I graduated with and upper second class degree with honours (2:1).
After this, I proceeded to work as a building restoration supervisor in the south of France (honestly!), and then moved to the French Alps after securing a DJ residency in Meribel. I worked for the whole 2002/03 season, snowboarding everyday and partying more than ever!! Whilst in the Alps, I applied for a PhD position in the Materials Engineering Department of the Open University. After two strenuous interviews, I was offered the position. I started the doctorate, titled "Fatigue crack growth in advanced alloys and composites" in October 2003, and I will hopefully be finished in 2006.
I'm still DJing regularly in my spare time, and snowboarding every week. Have I got any advice to those studying A-Levels and GCSE's?? Yeh - listen to your teachers - they know more than you think!!
Karl Robinson - Attended Meden From 1968-1973 (House - Whiteman)
Along with me, both my younger brother and older sister attended Meden, and now my daughter.
Back then school put on an annual play, sometimes they even took the company to Mansfield. In 1969 at aged 12 I played the lead role in the musical "Tom Sawyer", complete with lit pipe and real tobacco. (scary I know and something that would never happen today, the pipe!!)
It wasn't "fashionable" to stay on at school, most kids left as soon as they could and went direct to work. My year was the last one to choose to stay on for the 5th form. My chemistry course work was wine making, and I was the only kid (or adult for that matter)allowed to bring alcohol into school. I went to gain recognition in CSE's.
I went into the Royal Navy serving 15 years, firstly as a submarine electrical mechanic and finally as a paramedic. Out of the Royal Navy I went into Nursing to train as Register Nurse Mental Health. I currently work in Forensic Mental Health. As a parent it is paramount I be involved in and help to shape my child's education. As part of this commitment I became a School Governor, serving as both parent and co-opted governor in various lower and special schools and now as a parent governor at Meden School.
In my mind even just a small amount of help from parents often has a big impact in school. This is clear in Meden School, being seen in the way in which it has developed over the last nearly 40 years.
Geoff Guy - Attended Meden From 1965 (House - Rutland)
I had spent 3 years at Burns Lane when The Meden School was completed, and along with many others, moved mountains of stuff between the two in the old milk trolley!
The Meden was quite a departure from Burns Lane School, mainly due to the tutorial system, and mixed classes. It was in R5 that I first met Susan Smith, a year below me, and during the first school trip to Spain in 1966, we started "going out". We have now been married for over 32 years and have three great kids, all of whom attended Meden, with one grandson and two more on the way, wonderful. The two that are married also chose girls that attended Meden!
So I guess The Meden has alot to answer for! There were some great teachers there at the time, and I won't embarrass them by name here, but they will know who they are!
