Rosalind Conway. Cert.Ed. B.A.Ed.
I was born in the Irish Republic to an Irish father and English mother. 1950’s Ireland was the backdrop to my early years. Boarding in an austere convent I dreamt of magical places I knew waited for me just beyond the convent’s high grey walls.
The Wicklow mountains, dark mysterious lakes, waterfalls, rivers, peat bogs, golden sand dunes and the pounding waves of the sea were, in my mind, peopled by fairies, banshees, mischievous leprechauns and the watching spirits of the dead.
I began writing poetry, entertaining rhymes and short stories as a teenager. Until Marchwood I never contemplated publishing any of my material.
In London, I trained as a teacher. My first teaching post was in a deprived area in East London. There I discovered my talent for managing unruly pupils and my lifelong interest in helping such young people was born.
My career path led me through primary and secondary schools, public schools, special schools and into managing units for excluded children. Taking early retirement, I worked as an independent behaviour management consultant.
I am grateful to all the young people I encountered in my work over the years. The professional experiences I had within this challenging field of work left me personally enriched as did working alongside exceptional colleagues. Helping to make a positive difference to young lives was, and is, my reward. Currently I work voluntarily for my local Authority’s Youth Justice Service.
Inspiration for my book, Marchwood, was drawn from all the above mentioned, combined with personal life experience and ancestral secrets uncovered.
I live with my partner and our tabby cat in a seaside town on the south coast. I am fortunate to have my daughters and grandson living close by. I continue to write, and a second book is underway.