Teacher Spotlight Series - Emma Magee

Welcome to our latest instalment of the Teacher Spotlight Series where we meet with our Head of Netball, Emma Magee, super-talented Northern Ireland international netball player and attacker currently playing for Leeds Rhinos.

My first day at Downsend was brilliant, I was super excited to get started. I met all the amazing staff who were so friendly and welcoming which made it much more enjoyable.

After university, I went to do my teacher training at Sedbergh School. I was there for two years before coming to Downsend.

I have a lot of cool memories from school, but my favourite by far was when my Gaelic team won the U16A Ulster Final. We had been in the same team since we started the school, so we were all great friends who all trained hard, this is what made it even more special.

I don’t think I would change the decade I was born in. I loved growing up in the late 90s and also witnessing how quickly technology grew.

‘The Green Platform’ by Declan Coyle is my favourite book which encourages you to shift your mindset when it comes to personal life, business and in sport. It has really changed my perspective and helped me a lot when playing sport.

Being comfortable with being uncomfortable because that is when the real growth happens.

I absolutely love the quote “Do not judge me by my successes; judge me by how many times I have fell down, and got back up again” Nelson Mandela as it applies to absolutely everything in life.

I have a younger sister that also plays SuperLeague Netball and who is my team mate on the Northern Ireland team. We also play for the same Gaelic club and county back home.