AWARD School Reflections
A few weeks ago, I hit submit on my AWARD School portfolio.
Twelve weeks of creative briefs, lectures, tutes, deep thinking, headbanging, middle-of-the-night ideas, and (so much) drawing wrapped up in 10 deceptively simple jpegs.
As someone who has worked in communications for ~15 years, including four years working for myself, I was unsure exactly how much I could gain from AWARD School.
As a mother to multiple little people, I was unsure whether I’d bitten off more than I could chew.
What actually happened was that I fell deeper in love with the craft I’ve practised my whole career, and I was able to take my family along for the ride. Both unexpected and lovely gains.
For me, AWARD School included chatting about what problem mum was trying to solve this week. I got to hear primary school perspectives on scouring pads and low-sugar lollies, and answer their questions about Bricks and the benefits of clothing adhesive.
It involved explaining wetsuit science to my nan, talking to my dad – a camping and fishing fanatic – about why he loves going off-grid, and bouncing it all off my (extremely supportive) husband each week.
I applied to AWARD School because I was ready to sharpen my skills. I expected I’d find fresh ways to approach my work. I was excited to learn more from the best in the business. AWARD School delivered all of that and more.
It was also just really fun.
When you’re a parent to small kids and a solo business owner, you get told ‘no’ quite a bit. Whether it’s someone rejecting a pitch or a five-year-old rejecting your insistence that they put on their shoes, there are days when ‘no’ feels like the status quo.
AWARD School offers 10 opportunities to turn ‘no’ into ‘yasssss!’ by encouraging you to power through mental roadblocks, stretch creative muscles, and find inspiration in unexpected places. It’s a place where budgets don’t exist, 'provocative' is celebrated, and the prop is the be-all and end-all, allowing you to think higher than any glass ceiling.
It was exciting to work on hard things beyond being on time for school pickup. By pushing myself and truly enjoying it, I was reassured I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, despite the ‘no’ days.
So what’s next? It’s something I’ve been thinking about since hitting that ‘submit’ button. My mind has been spinning like a washing machine cycle: this is what I want to write more of, this is how I’m going to keep the momentum, this is what I need to keep practising, this is what I want to learn more about…
AWARD School has been as much a creative rehab as an advertising course. It’s made me think differently about the kind of work I love and how to do more of it.
I’m excited to continue building a portfolio (and a career) that brings me joy and that my kids might one day look at and think, ‘Hey, that’s pretty cool.’
In the meantime, if you need a copywriter, I’d love to chat - proud AWARD School Grad, 2026 ✌️
PS - Massive thanks to my tutors Ben Ryan, Jack McSwiney, Anton Posa and V. Wassim Kanaan for your guidance and shout-out to all 2026 grads, especially my fellow online friends. It was such a pleasure meeting and working alongside you, legends.
Also, if you're thinking of applying for 2027, DOOOOO IITTTT. Especially if you're a parent, solo business owner, or generally looking for a kick up the creative butt.