Sunday’s Spotlight: Revd. Katie Windle
Our final celebration for International Women’s Week is with our wonderful Chaplain, Revd. Katie Windle. Working closely with the girls across the school, she is an inspirational leader who always encourages us to be brave, have courage and aspire to ‘make a difference together’.
My parents gave me many opportunities to develop and grow through enabling a holistic and good education. My mum encouraged me to be independent and my dad supported my choices with gentle pride and a great sense of humour. I had a wonderful role model at university for becoming a priest – Jo Bailey Wells- who is now the Bishop of Guildford. Jo encouraged me to keep thinking, reading, asking questions and be unashamed to be a confident female leader. In my first job as a priest, I worked with an inspiring female priest from Sheffield who was brave, grounded and able to get alongside everyone with understanding, care and insight. She taught me that doing my best was enough and not to fret over small things.
What area would you like to see positive change in?
I would like to see more girls take risks – step out of their comfort zone, away from social media- towards people who don’t have the same privilege or opportunities as them to form deeper friendships, take more initiatives and make a difference together.
Which value at Sherborne Girls resonates with you the most?
Spirituality and courage both resonate with me.
What piece of advice would you pass on to the future generation of female leaders?
Listen well to other people’s stories. Keep reaching out across divides. Seek God, life and love.
