A Paulean for life, Carmen Sapsezian

“I have a lot of fond memories of the school, as I've had the honour to meet very special people.”

At the heart of our Old Paulean Society, with years of dedication to our school, is Carmen Sapsezian. Carmen started working in St. Paul's in 1990. She joined the school first as a Class Assistant, and then as the school's receptionist. In 2000, the Old Paulean Society was created and Carmen was appointed secretary for all our former pupils, overseeing documentation, events, visitors and much more!

In 2022, alongside her husband, Nelson, Carmen is officially retiring, but he will continue to contribute to the school with her extensive knowledge supporting the school with its archive and memorabilia. Below, you can read about her story at St. Paul's and more about what she's learned from her 33 years of dedication!

What brought you to St. Paul’s?

I am married to an Old Paulean, Nelson Sapsezian, who was the school bursar, so I got to know the school through him. In 1989, I had been working in the tourism field for about eight years when my first daughter was born, so I decided to take a year break to be at home for the baby. In 1990, there were only two PP1 classes and one of the class assistants resigned two days before the first term started, as her husband was offered a job abroad and the school needed someone urgently. I was asked to replace her until they could find someone. My daughter was just one-and-a-half years old  but, at the time, PP1 hours were from 8 AM to 11.30 AM so I would still have a lot of time with her. I then started as a Class Assistant in August 1990 at PP1, with Mrs. Stevens.

Tell us more about your experience as a St. Paul's member of staff.

I’ve always loved children, so I was always happy to work among them. It was a great experience to work in this area. In 1991, Mr. Casey McCann was appointed Headmaster and I had been at school for a year already. He was implementing a lot of changes in the school system and invited me to work in the Administrative Department. I started working at the school’s main reception where I would answer all the calls and welcome parents and visitors, as well as helping pupils and staff with information. That way, I got to know a lot of people from all around the world. I would also help the Financial Department to organize files as well as supporting the Headmaster’s secretary, Admissions and the Brazilian secretary. Every day I learned something new.

In 1997, my second child was born, and I left the school for two years to be at home for him. In October 2000, the new Headmaster Mr. Rachid Benammar created officially the Old Paulean Society and appointed me to be the Alumni Secretary so I returned to work.

Now, in July 2022, I decided it was time to retire. I made friends for life, saw children arriving at school at 3 years old, leaving for the University and years after coming back to school as a parent, which is very special. For me, they are all my children.

What made St. Paul’s special? What are your fondest memories of the school?

St. Paul’s is a great school, has an amazing staff and community and I learned a lot about charity here. I have a lot of fond memories of the school, as I’ve had the honour to meet very special people. Yet, the community has always been strong and supportive.

Are there any curiosities or special events you participated in as the Old Paulean Secretary?

During all these 33 years, I’ve had the pleasure to see very special people visiting the school as Madam Speaker Betty Boothroyd, Princess Diana, and, as a fan, I could not forget to mention Sir Mick Jagger.

I must also mention that the school gave me the opportunity to know my great friend and mentor Casey McCann. He was a person ahead his time and taught me a lot about everything. I worked in a lot of PTA events, school events, and all of them are very special for me.

What are your plans for the future?

I have a very special mother-daughter trip planned for the beginning of next year to Turkey, Greece, Italy and Ireland. Mostly, I intend to do all things I did not have enough time when I was working out all day and with my young children, such as meet friends for lunch in a weekday, practice sports, read more books, do voluntary work, etc.