Staff News

What do you love about your job? I love working with children and making learning fun for them. Also working with many amazing teachers has been inspiring. How would you sum up your time at St Piran’s so far in 3 words? Engaging, enjoyment and entertaining. What is the best school trip you have been on? In 2018 I went to South Africa with some Year 6 children on a school exchange. What amazing people and country. What is your happiest memory over your 25 years at St Piran’s? years at St Piran’s? Seeing my two children go through the school from Nursery to Year 6 as well as my husband being on the St Piran’s Society for a number of years. A great family experience. What is your funniest memory of working here? The Olympic Torch went by the school in 2012. Miss Sultana was waving her flag but hadn’t realised that a forerunner with the team had run by and ripped her flag so she was happily waving a stick! If you were in charge for the day, what school rule would you make? Chocolate all day!! Hot chocolate, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake!! It was a year to mark momentous milestones as we congratulated our longest serving member of staff, Mrs Carrie Rogers, for 30 years working in the Finance Office. Mr Sales presented her with a beautiful glass bowl and extended our gratitude for three decades of service as we headed into 2021.

How many Headteachers and Bursars have you worked for in your time at St Piran’s? 3 Headteachers and 4 Bursars! What do you love about your job? Diversity of duties, and working with really great people. How would you sum up your time at St Piran’s so far in 3 words? Doesn’t time fly! What is your happiest memory over your 30 years at St Piran’s? Bellringing with the children outside the school on Gringer Hill, when the Olympic Torch went past in 2012. What is your funniest memory of working here? When Mr Carroll was judging the “Guy” competition, and Mr Barker was dressed up as a “Guy”, hid amongst the other entries and jumped out at him! If you were in charge for the day, what school rule would you make? Not a rule as such, but I would like classical music played in the background all round the school.

In the early part of the year, Mrs Paula Plank, known to many who have used our wraparound care and holiday clubs, left us to move away from the area and is enjoying her new life further north. Mrs Carol Frost, one of our Receptionists, took the decision to step back and spend more time with her family and new grandchildren. Mrs Zoe Peck moved on to take on a more full-time role after almost seven years’ teaching at St Piran’s. As more staff in Middle School returned from their respective maternity leave this year, we said goodbye to Mrs Nicola Huxley who has been a wonderful part of our teaching team and much-loved by the children. Mrs Judith Forster made a great impact on our music at St Piran’s before taking on English teaching in Upper School. She will be very much missed as she leaves us this summer. From our team of lunchtime supervisors, Mrs Caroline Radford has helped look after the children for many years and we wish her well. With us for a short time, we also say goodbye to Mrs Laura Randall in our Nursery department. With a long association with St Piran’s, Mrs Janny Peppiatt, whose now grownup children attended the school, leaves us for some well-earned rest and to spend time travelling. Her work in Tutor Point for many years, along with her role on the St Piran’s Alumni Committee, have been much appreciated. In the games department, we lost Mr Tom Lambert rather suddenly as he was called to take up a role as Head Coach for the England cricket team! We will watch with intent to see how the team progresses under his expertise, which we have been lucky to take advantage of on our school pitches. Mrs Cate Stevens has been a valued member of our staff, heading our Art Department for the last four years. Her passion and positive inspiration have challenged the children to produce some incredible work during her time here. She moves on to a school in Oxford as Head of Art. Mrs Alison Bersier, Director of Music, has filled our hall and Chapel with some wonderful music in her time at St Piran’s, ensuring the continued success of our Chapel Choir and bringing our plays and concerts to life. She will be missed by us all as she moves on to pastures new. We said farewell at Speech Day to Mrs Jo Ogden, our Bursar, who takes up a new role as Bursar at a school in Esher, and thanked her for her devotion to the school over the last 5 years. She has transformed many areas of school life, overseeing numerous successful projects and we are sure she will continue this success in the next stage of her career.

Miss Amy Edmundson has seen some of our pupils all the way through school from Nursery, where she has held the role of Head of Early Years, nurturing our youngest children. She leaves with her own Year 6 son this year, heading abroad to take up an exciting new role in the Middle East. We look forward to hearing all about her new adventures!

It was with deep sadness that we announced in August the passing of our much-loved Head of Swimming, Alix Burnage. Alix joined St Piran’s on 1 September 2004 and, since then, thousands of St Piran’s pupils have benefitted from her talent and verve for swimming. She also provided support to so many staff and families and holds a special place in the hearts of many. As a school, we lowered the St Piran’s flag as a mark of respect and will be paying tribute to Alix with a memorial service in the new school year. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those touched by her spirit.

Gringer Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7LZ 01628 594300