Five Minutes With… Aneira King

My name is Aneira King and I’m the Outreach Officer here at St Catz.

What is your role at St Catz in a few sentences?

My role mainly involves working with school groups and encouraging students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to apply to university and to Oxford more specifically. That includes welcoming school visits to the College, as well as going out to schools in London, Teesside and Wales to run outreach sessions. 

What kinds of activities do you run when you visit schools or host groups at St Catz?

It varies depending on the group and their age. It might be assembly talks, workshops, or sessions as part of our sustained outreach programme, which we run from Year 8 through to Year 12. At different stages, we talk about things like life at university, post-GCSE options, and eventually the Oxford and Cambridge application process. We also host school visits here at Catz, including tours, taster sessions and personal statement workshops. 

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day is usually focused on preparing for upcoming events, whether that’s updating materials, refreshing my knowledge around things like personal statements, or planning logistics for school visits. When we have groups in, I’ll often welcome them and give an introduction to life at Catz. I also work closely with student ambassadors, who are brilliant at leading tours and Q&As, and I organise academic taster sessions with tutors or deliver workshops myself. 

What’s been your favourite memory or experience at Catz so far?

I really enjoyed visiting schools in Wales, which is home for me. I spoke to a Year 10 student interested in Theology, which was my degree, so it was lovely to be able to share advice and support someone considering a similar path. Another standout moment was taking one of the first school groups into the Dining Hall after it reopened – seeing them experience that space for the first time was really special. 

Are there any projects or upcoming activities you’re particularly looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to the upcoming taster sessions. I’m especially involved in planning the STEM taster session for women and non-binary students, which I think will be fantastic. I’m also excited about the English taster lectures, particularly one on Woolf, Mansfield and Joyce, as I studied Catherine Mansfield during my Master’s. 

Open Days are coming up – what does preparation involve behind the scenes?

A big part of the preparation is organising student ambassadors, because they are really the face of Catz on the day. They lead tours, answer questions and share what student life is like. From an outreach perspective, it’s about making sure everything is coordinated so they feel supported and ready to go. 

What are you most looking forward to on the Open Days themselves?

I’m really looking forward to seeing the student ambassadors in action and how they engage with visitors on the day. I’ve worked Open Days before as a student ambassador at Cambridge, so it will be interesting to see things from the staff side this time. It’s also just a really enjoyable atmosphere – showing people around and seeing their excitement about the College. 

What would you say to staff or students getting involved in Open Days?

I’d encourage people to get involved and chat with visitors if they have the chance. It’s a great opportunity to show what Catz has to offer and to help prospective students imagine themselves here. And if you see me on the day, do come and say hello! 

Do you have a favourite part of the College to show visitors?

I really love the view down the moat, especially when everything is green and the ducks are there – it’s such a peaceful, central part of College; and will look even better once the grass has been re-laid. I also really enjoy showing visitors the riverside areas and seminar rooms, as well as spaces like the JCR and Dining Hall, which really help students imagine life here. 

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy reading and creative writing – something I’ve been trying to get back into, and I’ve recently picked up knitting. I also play five-a-side football, and I’ve recently started playing Australian Rules Football with the University team, which has been fun – although I’m still learning! 

You recently travelled to Australia – do you have any highlights or recommendations?

I was there in January visiting my brother currently on his year abroad out there, I’d never been before and it was absolutely amazing! I visited the Blue Mountains, which were absolutely stunning. I didn’t expect Australia to be so mountainous, but it was a real surprise. People often think of beaches or the outback, but no, the landscapes are incredibly varied and beautiful. 

How has your experience been moving from Cambridge to Oxford? Are there any differences?

I’ve really enjoyed it. There are lots of similarities, but each College has its own feel. Catz is very close-knit and has a strong sense of community. Catz is quite architecturally different from my Cambridge College, which was 19th century red brick. But quite similar in terms of the location, being that little bit out of the town centre, but close enough to walk, and being surrounded by nature. There are also some differences in terminology – so, the terms at Cambridge were Michaelmas, Lent and Easter and here they are, Michaelmas, Hillary and Trinity. Tutorials are called supervisions at Cambridge, so I do have to stop and think when I’m on College tours! I was there for three years, and have been here about six months, so I’m learning, but I do love both cities and I like that Oxford’s got a slightly bigger feel to it than Cambridge, but it’s still really, really like living in historic cities. Both cities are wonderful – full of history, museums, bookshops and cafés. 

Do you have any favourite music you listen to while working?

I like a wide range of music. I’m a big fan of Talking Heads – This Must Be the Place is one of my favourite songs. I also really like The Go-Betweens, an Australian band, I’d say they’re probably my go-to at the moment, but it does change depending on my mood! 

Are there any outreach projects you’d like to develop in the future?

I’d really like to explore more online outreach sessions, especially to make it easier for schools in more remote parts of Wales to access Oxford. At the moment, travel can be a barrier, so offering online visits could help us reach more students across the whole of Wales, not just areas with easier transport links. I think there’s a lot of potential there and something I would like to develop and introduce. 

Can you tell us what your name mean in Welsh?

My name is Aneira – in Welsh, “eira” means snow, so it roughly translates to “very snowy.” I was born in Bath on a snowy day, so that’s why my parents chose my name! 

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If you’d like to spend Five Minutes With… us, drop the team a line at collegecomms@stcatz.ox.ac.uk to find out more.