Rosie Sonny

In celebration of the opening of the newly refurbished dining hall, we sat down with one of the longest serving members of the catering team, Rosie Sonny, to talk counters, portion sizes and what all CLS pupils have in common.

Casting your mind back 15 years, it’s 2010. How did you come to be working at CLS?

I started as a temporary worker through an agency. I must have done a good job as after a couple of months the catering manager asked if I wanted a permanent job. I’d never worked in a school before, and I did have to think about it for a while, but I said yes of course and fifteen years later I’m still going. Mind you – I did have to do a couple of extra months through the agency, so no one was owed a finder’s fee!

What was your impression of the pupils?

Initially, I was on one of the pupil counters. They were definitely a bit rowdy, but straight away I noticed how polite they were as well – lots of thank yous. They always had a smile and wanted to stop and chat – my counter became pretty popular. The catering managers were always trying to get the boys to move down the counters to the next member of staff to keep the queue moving but I often had a crowd of three or four boys at mine.

Why do you think that was?
I think they enjoyed a little bit of a chat and quite often that chat ended with “Miss, can I just have a little spoon extra”, they were always so polite about it. The boys were also so happy and appreciative if I gave them a bit more on their plates. I always told them they could come back a bit closer to the end of lunch service after 1:30pm and I’d see what I could do.

You think some of your colleagues were a bit stricter about portion controls?

Quite possibly! We’re shown a sample plate each day of how the meal should look on the plate. I might not have remembered that a few times – to the benefit of the pupils. CLS pupils have always had big appetites.

They’re the same at alumni reunions when they come back now – maybe a slightly larger glass of wine this time though.

What are those alumni reunions like for you?

The 2014 Leavers were memorable, when they came back for their reunion last year. They were all there asking, ‘do you remember me?!’ and I did remember lots of them, especially the cheeky ones. They gave me all the cuddles. Oh, it’s so sweet. I love seeing Old Citizens at reunions – I don’t always know their names, but I remember their faces and they seem so pleased to see me too – which is lovely.

You’ve looked after the staff dining room for a long time now…

I miss the pupils a bit, but the staff are absolutely brilliant as well, you know. I get to know the staff really well and their likes and dislikes. Some love a bit of fish and if I know they’ve got a duty and they’ll be later down to lunch – I’ll try and keep some back for them- a bit naughty of me but I like to be helpful.

What do you like about the new dining room?

The new booths are certainly very popular with the pupils, they linger and chat a bit more than they used to. It’s been made very comfortable for them, and I have to remind them the bells going and they need to get to lessons!

You celebrated a big birthday recently…

I did – the big 6-0! It was very special. The CLS staff all clubbed together to send me to Gran Canarias for two weeks, all inclusive. That was overwhelming – it gives me goosebumps remembering it! I found out later it had been planned for months. They all came in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and they gave me this card, I opened it up…I’ve never felt so overwhelmed before. Yeah, never. It was such a weird feeling, wow – I felt so valued by the community.