Victoria Savage, 2010

Victoria Savage left The Abbey in 2010 to follow her dream of becoming an Architect.  After 8 intense years of studying, Victoria is now enjoying the projects she is involved in as well as winning New Professional of the Year in 2019.

 

1. When did you leave The Abbey and what are you doing now?

I left The Abbey in 2010; I am now an Architect working for the Cardiff studio of global practice IBI Group.

 

2. What do you miss the most about The Abbey?

The learning and the laughter! I miss being taught by teachers who were both passionate about their subjects and passionate about doing the very best for their pupils, as well as laughing everyday with my friends. 

I miss being in lessons with my twin sister Katherine too after we completely coincidently chose all bar one of the same GCSE subjects and so had the joy (for us – probably a headache for our teachers!) of being a double act in many of our lessons. 

Love of food was also a big bond within our year group and so I have very fond memories of the scrum in the lunchroom when seconds of banoffee pie were announced, or how early the queue would start outside the Sixth Form lunchroom to be first in, not to mention the incentive to join General Knowledge Club being the treat of baguettes to eat while we quizzed. 

In general, it was really affirming to be in an environment where it was always girls on top, with no limits as to what you could achieve. If any of my teachers are reading this then I would love to thank you for all that you did for us; none of it was wasted and I can still remember things I memorised in class for my exams thanks to your commitment.

 

3. What would you say is your biggest achievement? 

This probably sounds really boring but actually just qualifying as an architect remains to date my biggest dream realised; it’s hard to explain the thrill of introducing myself as an architect or seeing it written after my name in my email signature, after nearly a decade beforehand of saying I was studying to become one. 

I got my offer to study at Cardiff Uni on 03/03/10 and qualified as an architect on 06/06/18 – exactly 8 years, 3 months and 3 days later and made up of 7 years of intense study and work in practice, with 1 year out to volunteer for my church also thrown in.

In 2019 I was even nominated to Constructing Excellence in Wales for the award of New Professional of the Year, which I was both surprised and honoured in equal measure to go on to win. I keep my award on my desk to remind myself that dreams really can come true, and hard work can eventually be rewarded, even if the journey isn’t always as smooth as we imagine. As a Christian, this accolade remains a fantastic touchstone to thank God for sustaining me through my studies and look back on the years of hard graft that by His grace have now come to fruition. 

 

4. What advice would you give to current students?

Make the most of every day at The Abbey – don’t wish away your time, whether you are in the early years wishing you were older, or in sixth form wishing you were already at uni, because you don’t get these moments and memories again. The friends I made at university have ebbed and flowed but my friends from The Abbey are my friends for life and have remained a constant source of support through both highs and lows. 

Share