Rev Rachel Hawkins
From Newbridge to parish leadership, Rachel’s path into ministry has taken her from education roles to 14 years of serving as a Church of England Priest.Rachel’s favourite subjects at Newbridge were English and Sciences, which helped develop her curiosity and communication skills. She fondly remembers Activities Weeks and vocational tasters at Coalville Technical College, which gave her a broader view of future opportunities.
After completing A-Levels at Ashby Grammar School, Rachel worked as a Learning Support Assistant at Coalville Technical College before pursuing a completely different path. She later attended Trinity Theological College in Bristol, earning a BA in Theology and training for ordination in the Church of England.
Rachel’s career journey was not a straight line. “No one in my family had gone to university,” she explains. “I went later in life when opportunities opened up and it was more financially viable.” After working in education and starting teacher training, Rachel felt called to ministry and has now served as a Curate and Vicar for 14 years.
Today, Rachel is a Parish Priest leading a church in Poole, Dorset. Her week is varied, involving pastoral care, community engagement, and church leadership. Looking ahead, Rachel is focused on settling into her current post, which she began just a year ago.
Among her proudest achievements are graduating with a degree in theology and gaining a wide range of professional and voluntary experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership and service.
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