Mark Saunders – The Alumni of Belmont House School

28th Jan 2025

As we approach our centenary year at Belmont House School, we wanted to look back, and reconnect with former pupils, near and far. 

Here we have seven thoughtful questions that we ask our alumni focusing on their lives, successes, and the school’s influence. 

Name: Mark Saunders
Time period as a pupil at Belmont House: 1987 – 1992
Current Occupation: Yacht Captain 

How did your time at Belmont House School shape your career path?
Unfortunately I didn’t excel academically at Belmont leaving before my standard grades. I did however have excellent life experiences during my tenure and made many friends.

Can you share a key moment or memory from your time at Belmont that had a lasting impact on you?
It would be the great outdoors and exploring the highlands with Graham Kilgour.

What skills or lessons learned at Belmont have been most valuable in your professional life?
Although I was not the best pupil I learned good values of life from most of my teachers and they encouraged me at every opportunity.

In what ways did Belmont House School’s community or culture contribute to your personal growth?
Again I would have to say that Belmont instilled morals and values to their pupils that are crucial in life.

Can you describe how Belmont’s teachers or extracurricular activities helped shape your future ambitions?
I always remember Gordon Parr taking a lot of interest in my vacations with my family’s sailing holidays. He saw it then as a fantastic upbringing and being so fortunate to experience.

What advice would you give to current Belmont students who want to follow a similar path to yours?
Get the qualifications! I was lucky turning a hobby into a career, but I have also gone back to school to attain my goals and failure was not an option. I had a target of becoming a captain and I successfully achieved this. My career is not however for all, it takes a great deal of personal life sacrifice as you are from home and at sea for long periods.

Looking back, how do you feel Belmont House School prepared you for the challenges and opportunities you’ve faced in life?
As best they could. I go into life with positivity and a good sense of humour, something that was in abundance at Belmont. 

Our thanks to Mark for sharing his experiences – would you like to feature as part of our Alumni of Belmont House School? Please feel free to get in touch with Richard Doak via email: RDoak@belmontschool.co.uk

 

Mark Saunders – The Alumni of Belmont House School