This has been a fascinating year. I honestly feel that the school, except the buildings, has never been in better shape. The additional pressure on us to produce even better examination results has been accepted as a challenge to be met by all members of the school community.
Some changes in personnel and structures within the leadership group have led to positive action in a number of areas of the school’s work. For example, we have been able to provide more precisely targeted and differentiated support to improve the prospects of year 11 pupils. This has ranged from mentoring through coursework catch up to additional support in English and mathematics. This has been in addition to the traditional revision sessions and input from subject and year staff.
We have also benefited from working with London Challenge who have made extra specialist consultants available for holiday sessions in English and mathematics. We have been able to negotiate for even greater support for next year’s year 11.
All the signs are that the results will reflect the tremendous effort made.
| Touch typing | Year 10 cricket |
| My Cuckmere diary | The hidden treasures of the Mary Rose |
| Humanities awards | French trip to Paris |
| Dates for your diary |
Just when you feel that the jigsaw is nearly complete some of the pieces change shape! As is ever the case there are some staffing changes for the new school year.
Staff leaving
Ms B Childs retirement (joined October 1987)
Mr V Childs retirement (joined January 2001)
Mr C Gerstrom further study (joined September 2008)
Mr J Hostler retirement (joined January 1985)
Ms R Henderson retirement (joined January 1998)
Ms C Healey Head of English, Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College (joined September 2005)
Mr J James International School, Paris (joined September 2004)
Mr J Clark travel (joined September 2007)
Mr A Murray Alleyn’s School (joined September 2006)
Mr G Stevenson travel (joined September 2004)
Ms N Tebib Kingsdale Foundation School, Southwark (joined September 2006)
Ms J Riceman Archbishop Tenison’s, Croydon (joined September 1999)
Amongst those leaving are some long serving stalwarts as well as a talented group of young teachers.
Bernie Childs has been with us for nearly twenty-two years during which time she rose to the position of canteen manager. Known affectionately to me as the “head poisoner”, Bernie has successfully embraced the many changes required in the school canteen during the period of her tenure. I can still remember the no longer allowed chips!
Bernie has done a fantastic job in helping us achieve the “Healthy Schools” kitemark and received an honourable mention in the latest Ofsted report which said, “Pupils enjoy the wholesome meals and snacks available in the canteen”.
Bernie never finds anything too much trouble whether it be addressing the needs of staff or pupils. She thoroughly deserves her retirement back in the Emerald Isle.
Vic Childs is the other half of another Lanfranc husband and wife team and he too has provided great service to the school. If you ask any pupil in technology who is most important to finishing their practical work, the answer will be “Vic”.
Vic gives unstintingly of his time in maintaining the workshops, preparing materials, helping pupils with practical work and undertaking a range of minor repairs for staff. He has also gone the extra mile in helping to involve some vulnerable pupils in extra-curricular sport. Vic’s retirement will involve building Bernie’s house!
Mr Hostler joined the school in January 1985 and brought with him a wealth of experience working in challenging London comprehensives as well as overseas. He has seen many changes in the technology curriculum during his time here, with the early emphasis on manual skills being transformed into more computer aided design and manufacture and electronics.
Whatever the changing face of his subject, Mr Hostler has retained limitless enthusiasm and has translated this into excellence in his teaching. Pupils always enjoy his lessons and take pride in what they produce, whether it be a spatula, a jewellery box or an intricate electronic device in a vacuum formed case decorated with laser cutter produced designs.
Mr Hostler has kept the school at the cutting edge of technology, even at times when financial constraints and staffing difficulties have made this an almost impossible task. Such is his commitment to his subject that during the past few weeks, as he approached retirement, Mr Hostler organised a training session for colleagues across a number of local authorities to help them keep up with the pace of change in what is a very fast moving area.
At a more personal level, I am grateful to Mr Hostler for his personal and professional loyalty. I have always been able to call on him for help and support in difficult situations and he has been ever ready to undertake some of the less glamorous tasks such as street patrols and acting as “doorman” for major functions.
As well as his passion for his subject and the success of his pupils, Mr Hostler has a keen enthusiasm for sport and travel. His support for Chelsea is well known (if somewhat unfortunate!) and he continues to ski, play hockey and until recently played club cricket. He intends to spend a good part of the first year of his retirement travelling. When exhausted by this we hope he may return in some part time capacity.
Ms Henderson’s appointment marked a key point in our approach to helping pupils with learning difficulties. She came to us having led the work on literacy in a large London borough and has used her expertise to excellent effect ever since.
Ms Henderson is a recognised expert in her field and pupils too numerous to mention have overcome their problems with literacy as a result of her input. She has also trained teachers to use approaches which help pupils with learning difficulties access the curriculum more effectively.
It is always a source of joy for Ms Henderson when she sees the progress made by her charges and I am sure she will take an opportunity to point out among this year 11’s highest achievers those who started with very poor literacy. What greater testament can there be to her contribution?
Ms Healey joined us as a curriculum leader in English and quickly established herself not just as an outstanding teacher but also an innovator and effective trainer of other teachers.
Ms Healey took on an additional responsibility as our Aim Higher coordinator and brought to this role a clear thinking and practical approach which saw considerable positive developments. Her commitment to the pupils and belief that they could achieve to the very highest standards fitted her perfectly for this position.
When the vacancy arose for head of English, there was no hesitation in offering Ms Healey the post. She has fully justified the confidence placed in her and we are only sorry to lose her before she has had the opportunity to make even greater impact.
Mr James joined us as a trainee teacher of French and drama. His contribution beyond the classroom was very evident from the outset and his interest in the broader issues facing his pupils resulted in his promotion to curriculum leader for PSHE and citizenship. The Ofsted inspection of PSHE in 2008 said of Mr James,
“The leadership and management of PSHE are good. The co-ordinator is well qualified and enthusiastic. He leads a team of experienced and committed specialist teachers.”
Mr James will be missed for his part in developing debating and public speaking and also for his sense of style and entertaining contributions to staff briefings!
Mr Stevenson joined at the same time as Mr James as a trainee science teacher. The very evident progress in the science department has resulted from the efforts of teachers such as Mr Stevenson who has excellent subject knowledge and has become a very skilled practitioner. It has been a pleasure to see the high level of practical work in his lessons.
Mr Stevenson has led a Christian prayer group for some years. He is also a key member of the staff band which performs at end of term functions and has been known to show an enthusiasm for fancy dress!
Ms Riceman has for ten years been a fixture in the mathematics department. Over this period she has, sometimes against the odds, retained her sense of purpose and determination. Her lessons are always carefully prepared and reflect her excellent subject knowledge. Her commitment to the school has been demonstrated in her attendance record which shows scarcely any absence throughout her time here.
Ms Riceman will, I am sure, enjoy the opportunity for “A” level teaching in her new post.
Mr Gerstrom, Mr Clark, Mr Murray and Ms Tebib are all highly talented teachers who have contributed much in their relatively short time with us.
We wish all our leavers the very best of fortune and hope they will stay in touch over the coming years.
Staff joining
Ms H Assinder science
Mr C Cheng mathematics
Ms C Golding science
Ms K Harfitt languages
Ms S Martin citizenship
Mr S Newton head of technology
Ms S Richards geography
Mr A Shakeri history
Ms S Taunton citizenship
Ms S Williams head of English
Ms Z Yuill geography
Mr R Migliore technology technician
Staff returning from maternity leave
Ms C Appleby science
Ms A Callaghan history and curriculum leader for citizenship
Changes in responsibility
Ms F Allchin curriculum leader in pupil support
Ms S Al-Sanea literacy coordinator
Mr T Benson curriculum leader in science
Ms M Cadlock canteen manager
Ms S Cumber assistant canteen manager
Year coordinators for 2009-2010
Year 7 Ms J Andrews
Year 8 Ms J Henshaw
Year 9 Ms F Page
Year 10 Ms G Roussilloux
Year 11 Mr P Pumphrey
I hope you have a peaceful and enjoyable summer break.