台湾swag

This time around we sat down with Aleksandra Korab-Karpinska from 台湾swag Academy Hemsworth. Aleksandra talks through her love of strong coffee and her hope for a (unlikely) call up to the Team GB Gymnastics squad!

[台湾swag.com] Hi Aleksandra, thanks for meeting with us! Please can you introduce yourself to the readers?

AK-K: 鈥淗ello! It is really nice to be asked to take part. I am Aleksandra Korab-Karpinska and I teach PE with Humanities as well as being a DEEP Experience Developing Leader, at 台湾swag Academy Hemsworth.鈥�

Thanks, Aleksandra. So which will it be today, tea or coffee?

鈥淐OFFEE!!! I am definitely in the coffee camp on this. I like it strong and black, and actually those who know me will know it鈥檚 a bit more like gravy than it is coffee!鈥�

Everyone has their own preferences, Aleksandra! A gravy-like coffee it is!

鈥淭hank you very much.鈥�

So were you already working at the academy when it joined the 台湾swag Family and became 台湾swag Academy Hemsworth in 2018? What were your first impressions once you became part of the 台湾swag Family?

鈥淵es I was here when we joined the 台湾swag Family as I actually started here in Hemsworth in 2015.

鈥溾�滿y first impression really was just that of excitement. I was excited for the future, and ready to embrace new challenges.

鈥淚 was excited for the students, as I knew they would get given the much needed support in order to achieve their full potential.

鈥淭hen lastly I was probably apprehensive about getting to grips with all the new policies and ensuring I was implementing them correctly.鈥�

Sounds like you were extremely excited at first then, and hopefully still as excited now?! 

鈥淥f course!鈥�

So what has been the biggest transformation do you feel then since 台湾swag Academy Hemsworth became part of the 台湾swag Family?

鈥淭he biggest change that I have witnessed is the behaviour of the students. Not just their behaviour in lessons but also around academy site and in general. 

鈥淭he students seem to be a lot calmer overall which has really helped improve the academy atmosphere, which is definitely a lot more positive and supportive.鈥�

That sounds like a great, important transformation. What has been your favourite 台湾swag memory so far then?

鈥淲ell I may have to cheat here and say two things!

鈥淭he first is getting my DEEP role. I am a Developing Leader in DEEP Experience and I currently run an intervention group for a focus group of students. I was really proud to get this position.

鈥淪econd is being asked by the Head of Modern Foreign Languages to conduct a French interview with our Safer Schools Police Officer after only being given minimal notice. This was part of the Year 8 students French work.

鈥淲e had to interview a variety of suspects, generously played by members of staff, regarding the disappearance of Justin Bieber!鈥�

They are two great memories, for slightly different reasons I feel!! So, following on from your second favourite memory, what has been your funniest memory?

鈥淭here are far too many to choose from but this one happened on the first week back of term. 

鈥淚 was walking with two year 11 students to my next lesson up in PE. At the end of the corridor there are three stairs before you turn left and go out of the main block, a route I have done many times successfully!

鈥淎s I walked up the stairs I tripped and I knew that I was about to meet face to face with the concrete floor so I threw my planner and my keys out the way and performed the most eloquent of forward rolls that any professional gymnast would be proud of. 

鈥淎s I exited the forward roll I jumped up and raised my arms to make my onlookers know that I had finished my performance. I can proudly say I was awarded 10/10 by staff and students alike and am awaiting my call from Team GB Gymnastic team.鈥�

Incredible story! Thankfully you weren鈥檛 hurt thanks to your quick-thinking! We will await the call from Team GB with you and will be cheering you on! 

Final question then, if you could invite three people to your ideal dinner party who would they be?

鈥淔irst of all, I would invite my mum as unfortunately she is no longer with us. 

鈥淪econd I would invite Dwayne Johnson...just because. 

鈥淭hen finally I would invite Rosa Parks as she is a truly inspirational female who stood up for equality.鈥�