For our Alumna of the Month interview, we spoke to Elizabeth Oliver, Digital Content Producer at Royal Museums Greenwich.
Elizabeth joined Bromley High School in 1999 and left in 2013, after studying A-level English Literature, Classics, Geography and History (AS). She read English at the University of Exeter
Please can you briefly describe your current role?
I am Digital Content Producer at Royal Museums Greenwich, which comprises the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, the Queen’s House, Cutty Sark and The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre. As part of my role, I interview curators for online features, coordinate filming projects for exhibitions and generate content for social media and e-newsletter campaigns.
One of my highlights includes writing a series of articles to document the conservation of the Solebay tapestry – the largest tapestry in Royal Museums Greenwich’s collection. This intricate tapestry was commissioned by King Charles II and depicts the naval conflict at the Battle of Solebay in 1672.
How did Bromley High School help shape your future career?
Bromley High provided me with many opportunities to develop my writing, from creative writing competitions to journalism work experience schemes. I am very grateful to have had such supportive teachers, who listened to my career aspirations and inspired me to pursue my writing goals. This has given me the courage to put forward unique ideas for features and interview series at work.
After graduating university, I worked as part of the editorial team for Think Publishing, a magazine publishing company. I created print and digital content for a variety of clients, including The Arts Society; the Zoological Society of London (ZSL); CPRE, the countryside charity and the National Youth Theatre. While at Think Publishing, I produced a behind the scenes feature on English National Opera’s world premiere of Jack the Ripper: The Women of Whitechapel, interviewing the cast and creative team to reveal how a new opera is created, and highlighting the work’s parallels with the #MeToo movement.
Bromley High also fostered my love of lifelong learning, particularly in literature and history. In 2016, I started a literary website called ‘Printed Pearls’ (www.printedpearls.com), which aims to make literary history more engaging. I have interviewed the Creative Editor of Penguin Classics about the process of commissioning new classics. I have also spoken to academics about their latest research into medieval women’s writing. In 2019, my website reached the final of the UK Blog Awards in the Arts and Culture category.
What aspects of Bromley High School did you most enjoy, and find most rewarding?
From singing in concerts to performing in festivals, I enjoyed taking part in all the extracurricular activities the music department had to offer. Some of my highlights included leading the orchestra in the Sixth Form and singing The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins at Southwark Cathedral.
I also participated in several thought-provoking trips, including a visit to the World War I battlefields in Ypres, Belgium. The trip furthered my interest in writing from this period and encouraged me to write my own poetry.
What is your favourite memory of being at Bromley High School?
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bromley High, so it’s hard to choose! One of my standout moments was performing Carl Orff’s choral masterpiece Carmina Burana at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the school’s 125th anniversary. I’ll never forget walking on stage and being mesmerised by the gilded auditorium.
Another favourite memory was when I was appointed Deputy Head Girl in 2012. I loved being able to connect with students from different year groups and share my experiences with them.
What value do you get out of your connections with your fellow alumnae?
I am very fortunate to have made lasting friendships from my time at Bromley High. I am always inspired to learn about the different career paths my friends have taken – and to witness their determination to make a difference in their industries.
How have you benefited from being part of the wider GDST community?
It is incredibly empowering to see alumnae across the GDST community transforming the world through their work and actions, whether working to roll out the COVID-19 vaccination programme, changing the lives of children living in poverty or revolutionising the fashion industry.