(Sounds of the schoolyard.)
"I loved school. This is me, Catherine Williams then, at Halfway School. I failed my Eleven Plus so it was Stebonheath Secondary Modern for me but there I did pass my P1 and P2. What are they you ask? Well P1 and P2 were exams we did before o' levels. You had to stay on an extra year to do o' levels. I didn't stay on, I left like everyone else in my year. Nobody today even knows what P1 and P2 are.
Forty-four, family all growing up, finding lots of time on my hands, always promised myself I would return to education one day so Coleg Sir Gar, here I come. Starting with Computers for Absolute Beginners and learning how to turn the computer on and off without breaking it. Computers for Beginners and learning how to open programs, files and save work.
Clait next, something a little more challenging and advancing to Clait Plus. Feeling confident now. Now a really big challenge: BTec First Diploma in IT and getting a distinction. Wow! Never thought I would get a distinction in anything.
But I think I will try something a little less demanding now after all that. Digital Photography and getting to grips with Paint Shop Pro, enjoying every moment of it. And here I am, Catherine Collins, standing with Dr Daniel Meadows at the Student of the Year evening, accepting the Digital Photography, being rewarded for doing something I've really enjoyed. So, come on! What's stopping you? If I can do it so can you. And for me next year? Maybe web design. You'll see, you're never too old to learn something new."
