Engagement for happy couple who met at Chapel House

December 1, 2020

A popular couple who met while working at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have celebrated their engagement.

Freya Halford and Tom Haggerty were struck by Cupid’s arrow nearly eight years ago when they worked at Chapel House under the guidance of Ms Julie-Ann Morse and Mr Andy Jones.

Freya worked at Chapel House and The Grange as a Resident Assistant House Matron and teaching assistant, respectively.

Tom, who hails from Sydney, was a GAP student who came to work at Monmouth School for Boys and Chapel House.

“I always wanted to study Primary Education at university and I knew it would be a great opportunity and a valuable experience to work at the schools,” said Freya, who studied her A levels at Monmouth Schools Sixth Form.

“I started my working role at Monmouth in September 2012 and, as with every new year, a set of GAP students arrived from the southern hemisphere and Tom began at the schools in January 2013.

“We regularly crossed paths through work and began to build a relationship. We started dating towards the end of February in 2013 and you could say the rest is history.”

The happy couple enjoyed five years of long-distance romance before Freya, who is from Dursley in Gloucestershire, moved to Australia in July 2018.

They now live in Narrabeen, a beautiful suburb of Sydney, right on the beach in their first home together.

“After nearly eight years together, Tom proposed last week,” said a delighted Freya.

“We are both incredibly happy, enjoying being engaged and are hoping to marry in the UK in 2022.”

Tom works in the Sydney central business district as a solicitor specialising in securitisation with the law firm, King & Wood Mallesons. Freya is an Assistant Principal at a primary school in the suburbs.

Freya said: “All these years later, Tom and I still reminisce on the many happy memories we created and shared whilst working at the schools in Monmouth.”

Ms Julie-Ann Morse, former House Parent at Chapel House, who now works with the educational consultant, Connexcel Ltd, said: “We never doubted for one minute that this relationship would falter.

“Freya and Tom are two amazing young people and we delight in their happiness and wish them our most heartfelt congratulations.

“We are looking forward to raising a glass with them on their next visit to the UK.”