Judith Barback (Hitchcock)

Judith followed in the footsteps of her parents Alan Hitchcock and Clare Dale (both of whom attended Matamata College) – all achieving at the highest academic level.

Judith gained a “A” Bursary in 1999 and was awarded scholarships in English and History.

Exceptionally eloquent, Judith was an accomplished debater, loved being part of school productions, and was proud to be the Board of Trustees Student Representative.  She enjoyed the meetings, BOT and Student Council, and regularly gave reports at school assemblies of students and board activities.

As a Form 3 (Year 9) student Judith remembers feeling intimidated (and in awe of!) the rowdy 7th Formers (Year 13) who at the swimming sports dressed in crazy attire and cheered noisily only to find herself doing the same thing and scaring the then 3rd Formers five years later!

Upon leaving school she attended Auckland University gaining a BA in English.  Part of her study included a six-month exchange to the University of Birmingham in UK in 2002 – a wonderful experience.  Not content with studying for one degree, Judith did a double degree graduating at the end of 2003 with a BA in English and a BCom (Management).

She headed back to England for further study at Oxford Brookes University where she graduated MA (Publishing.)  Also, through the Trinity College of London, Judith studied Speech and Drama gaining her ATCL qualification.

Her working life has mainly been in the UK at Blackwell Publishing, in Oxford.  From 2004 to 2011 she progressed to the role of Journal Publishing Manager.  In that role she published 12 Medical Journals.  Returning to New Zealand, not only are Judith and her husband raising two beautiful children (Daniel 2 and Emily 1), she also has the position of Editor for the magazine “New Zealand Education Review”.

Another achievement which she is extremely proud was in 2006 she ran and completed the Dublin marathon.  In spite of all her achievements, Judith rates her greatest has producing two beautiful children.

Judith’s siblings Steven and Mark both have interesting jobs in London and their musical talents are taking them places.  At some stage we will read their profiles on this site.