OGA News
From Trainee to Longest Standing Administrator
The Old Girtonians’ Association was delighted to bestow on Mrs Marita Austin, an Honorary Associate Life Membership for achieving twenty years of service to Girton Grammar School.
For twenty years Marita Austin has kept the Girton wheels turning in a range of roles that reflect the breadth of her skills and her commitment to the School.
Starting as an Administration Trainee, Marita’s work ethic and steady efficiency were quickly recognised, and it wasn’t long before she was promoted to Personal Assistant to the Deputy Head. After four years of juggling this demanding role, Marita took a short break with maternity leave and returned to Girton in the role of Receptionist full time, becoming the ‘face of Girton’ for the next four years.
The next Girton chapter for Marita was defined by being the Personal Assistant to the Head of Houses and Head of Pastoral Care and Student Wellbeing, efficiently organising all manner of events and documentation for Girton’s six Houses. Her work is known to be of the highest standard and Marita is someone that colleagues have come to rely on to get the job done not only efficiently, but with a wicked sense of humour that keeps those around her buoyant.
Marita’s colleagues describe her as someone with their finger on the pulse. She is a ‘go-to’ for such a broad range and number of staff members that it is impossible to imagine Girton operating smoothly without her. She has an enormous amount of energy for her work and is appreciated for giving advice that is honest and to the point.
Since 2017, Marita has been the Personal Assistant to the Head of Student Futures, pivoting yet again and applying her skills in this busy area of the School. Marita has established herself as an integral part of the Careers team. Her excellent organisation and administration skills ensure the smooth running of the Department. Marita is considered by those she works with as an Office Administrator who is across all facets of this area of the School.
Marita is described as always one step ahead of whatever needs to be done. She oversees the Work Experience programme for the Year 10 students, and as a result, no student gets away with not handing in the appropriate paperwork, signed and on time. When work experience time is upon us, and a student sees Mrs Austin outside their classroom door, they know what must be done!
Currently the longest-standing Administrator at Girton, Marita’s wealth of Girton knowledge and experience across the business is invaluable. She has trained many of the administrative support staff employed at Girton and has, along the way, helped to build a culture of customer service that ensures that the families who send their children to Girton receive the best possible assistance as and when needed. She is a problem solver who puts the needs of students and families first.
Marita is known for ‘pitching in’ whenever needed and no job is too big or too small. She does not shrink behind the scenes. Over her twenty years at the School, Marita has been seen at all manner of activities including Sports Carnivals, organising Speech Night logistics, assisting with student immunisations, and playing in Staff versus Students netball games.
In every area of the School that Marita has worked, she is known for her proactive approach to assisting others and her incredible ability to meet myriad competing demands.
Reference to Marita’s contribution to Girton Grammar School would be incomplete without mention of her wonderfully raucous laugh and entertaining persona, which has bought smiles to many faces over the years.
Mrs Marita Austin, for twenty years of outstanding service to Girton Grammar School, we thank you.
