My name is Samantha Gilchrist and I attended Greenfields from Nursery class through my Primary School education; I then continued to dance at Greenfields and attend Adventure week and summer school until I was 14. Greenfields is where I learnt to tie-dye, use a sewing machine, hand stitch, paper mache, draw and paint. This was all for the school plays, dance shows and summer schools. It is where I had my first acting roles and where I learnt to perform on stage. I learnt to play the recorder which in later life led me to take up the saxophone, I dabbled with chopsticks on the piano, and I belted out my best singing voice in the choir for which I thank the teacher for not throwing me out and smiling through it. I learnt to dance Ballet, tap, modern and Jazz and I learned morals and how to be nice to people through Way to Happiness classes. I still to this day know how to save a choking child, thanks to Meet a Professional day where a nurse came in and showed us how, although I am thankful I have never had to use it. I could tell many stories about the fun I had at Greenfields and how it shaped my childhood and all the wonderful teachers, some of who are still here today. As you can now appreciate, my childhood was quite creative and fun however I did learn other subjects too! Greenfields is where I studied the How to Use a Dictionary Course and the Learning How to Learn Course. These gave me the basis in study technology. At the age of 14, I was accepted into The BRIT Performing Arts and Technology School. I am certain that the creativity I picked up at Greenfields led me to make this choice and helped me get into that school. After BRITS I attended the London College of Fashion and somehow ended up taking up photography. I fell in love with the subject and after deciding the fashion industry wasn’t for me I set up my own business and studio photographing weddings and newborn babies. Two hundred and fifty weddings later and countless newborns as well as several events and boxing shows, I hung up my camera for a while to concentrate on the wedding venues that I bought with my two business partners. I am now the co-owner of The Gilchrist Collection - Wedding Venues including The Ravenswood, Crowcombe Court, Highley Manor, Rushpool Hall and Hackness Grange Although I was only at Greenfields for my younger years I am certain these were the years I developed my creativity, confidence and foundations that set me up for future achievement and I would like to thank all the staff, old and new, for their continued contribution to building futures.