Autumn 2021 BEAUDESERT PARK MAGAZINE
Farewells Theresa Yates-Round
“It’s Theresa here, how can I help?” Back in the day, a little before 2010 I think, the School engaged a company called RS Academics to do a survey of the place, encompassing everyone and everything. After a few weeks of analysis, they were ready to report to the Governors. Their presentation began like this. They had asked the parents to write down five things they liked most about Beaudesert, and were left with a question they had not anticipated: “Who, or what, is Tree?” This mattered, because the number one most common answer was just that – Tree. I think if the parents had been surveyed at any time in the past nineteen years that outcome would have been the same. The School has changed, and grown, but in the heart of it there has always been Theresa Yates-Round, not your average School Secretary. In many ways, Tree reflects something of the magic of Beaudesert as a whole. Thoroughly professional, crisp, articulate and clever, she is also utterly daffy, with a “distinctive” laugh, and an almost eerie ability to mimic members of staff. Her Jayson Bird is particularly good. Having had the most extraordinary life prior to pitching up at Beaudesert she has always had many tales to tell. A great multi-tasker, she can tell quite remarkable stories of escapades at convent school, while organising mailshots to the entire
school, while answering the phone, while tracking down Quentin’s black shoes… The more serious side to this is that she is able to understand the people she encounters, and to see things from their side. Not only parents I must add! Many times I have taken my latest brainwave to try out on her. She listens carefully to my finely-tuned arguments and says, “just playing devil’s advocate here…” not to prove me wrong, but to ensure that I have looked at all the angles. I haven’t, of course, which is why I go to her. I will miss this, deeply. As the School’s Registrar she is the first voice that most of our parents will hear, and the first person they meet when they arrive to look around. She knows where to find the shoes, how to name the clothes, who teaches Science, when the play is, why we aren’t having a Leave-out, where the match is, whether she is on the bus tonight, whether he needs his trainers tomorrow… You get the picture. When our parents tell their friends to come and look around, part of it must be because they feel well-supported, and much of that feeling surely has come from Tree. An abiding picture of her is in the Office, late in the day. There are small children yet to be picked up who have migrated there. There are books of reading and colouring, and various toys, with role-playing going on, often of the surreal sort that only small children can so effortlessly bring forth. Tree alternately answers the telephone for all the world as if she is speaking to the Duchess of Cambridge herself, and then pretends to be a Fairy Godmother who may or may not have snacks in her desk. Finally, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you on behalf of all the teachers who have worked here alongside her. Her support for us has been constant – always encouraging, always positive. It has been a joy working with Tree all this time, and I join with everyone in our little community, past and present, in wishing her a happy and joyful life after Beaudesert. KDB
Robert Kirby
Robert has been a brief, yet welcome addition to the MFL Department. He is a highly experienced teacher, who has taught French in the top three year groups in the Prep School over the past six months, including guiding a set of Year 8s to considerable success in Common Entrance. He has combined a dynamic, energetic approach to instructing French with instilling high expectations and standards, yet flavouring his lessons with just the right amount of fun too. We are very sorry to say ‘au revoir’ to Robert, but we quite understand that he is needed to work alongside his wife down in Devon, where the rest of his family are based. Keep in touch, Robert and best wishes from us all. OF
Ellie Toseland
Ellie has brought such joy and fun to her oboe lessons, and the children have thoroughly enjoyed having her as a teacher. Ellie leaves us to take on more teaching at a local primary school and to balance her time with looking after her twins, Tom and Evie. We wish Ellie all the best for the future. RS
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