Valete, Salvete, Bravo

VALETE, SALVETE,

Debs Preston

When you mention Deb’s name to anyone, their face breaks into a smile. Her friendly, positive and caring nature means that she is loved by colleagues, children and parents alike. Debs came to Elstree in 2016 to work part time, joining the Learning Development Department under Gill Tilley. When Gill left, she was instrumental in helping me to lead and develop our flourishing department. Over the past few years, Debs has been a central part of our wonderful team and my ‘right hand man’, happy to take on whatever task or challenge is needed, bringing her creativity and adaptability into her teaching, always for the benefit of the children we work with. Debs has worked alongside and supported many children with their learning needs, always showing enthusiasm, kindness, and ambition for her pupils. She has had huge success with her pupils, who have often exceeded all expectations at Common Entrance despite their difficulties. At the start of 2020, Debs decided that she would like to return to class teaching and began to split her time between the Pre-Prep and Learning Development Department. Juggling many roles and working hard is not new to Debs as she has a busy family life with her two lovely girls and husband who she supports in running a Senior School boarding house. She has been a wonderful addition to the Pre-Prep where she is passionate about bringing the children’s interests into their learning. She always puts so much into everything she does, and the children are always at the forefront of her mind. Debs is not afraid of being creative and her classroom was often bursting with colour, excitement and joy. We will miss Debs enormously and wish her all the best for her exciting new role at St Neot’s. SLMA

Jane Rabbiosi

Jane joined us in the Pre-Prep in January 2021, as we were commencing the second Covid Lockdown. Instead of helping with Reception as planned or staying at home as most of the country were asked to do, Jane came in to be an extra pair of hands in Nursery. This example highlights exactly who Jane is. She is someone who will always say yes and is happy to help wherever she is needed. Over the last year and a half, she has been the most incredible support to so many people. She has helped at our Ducklings club, led an Art club, supported various year groups and has always been happy to lend a hand where needed. One of my first memories of Jane is of her cleaning out the staff room fridge on her first day. She had only been with us for a matter of minutes when she got down on her knees with a bottle of detergent in hand and started cleaning out the staff fridge. I smiled to myself thinking we have got a good one here! Jane hasn’t just been ‘good’ though, she has been excellent. She is well known for her warmth and smile, and she has a lovely way of talking to the children. She is incredibly creative and has produced some masterpieces for the Early Years team. You always know which classroom Jane is supporting in as the display boards are like walking into an art gallery! Jane has things hanging from the ceiling, everything is 3D and each display board somehow seems to top the previous one! The children love Jane too and will remember her for her kindness, games they played and for her care when they cut their knees. Jane will be greatly missed next year. However, I know that she will be the most wonderful addition to the assistant team at Thorngrove and we all wish Jane and her family the very best of luck in their new adventure. AB

BRAVO

Tish Gauci

To sum up Tish’s contribution to Elstree in a couple of paragraphs is almost impossible. Tish gave so freely of her time, energy and skills and is sorely missed by all at Elstree. Tish joined the Elstree team as Registrar in 2014, and it was immediately clear that she was utterly professional. Her calm and organised manner, even when things were frantic, was exemplary. Tish had hundreds of plates spinning on a daily basis and she never, ever looked flustered. Tish took on so much at Elstree: prospective parent visits, redesigning the website, social media, Salvo, Echo, outreach events, visas, uniform shop visits, bursary applications, Open Mornings, networking events.... I could go on! For me Tish’s greatest quality was her ability to work as part of a team – getting the very best out of people and always making them feel valued. Given how long she has been at Elstree, almost every current Elstree family has benefitted from a ‘Tish welcome’: her reassuring patience, calm professionalism and comprehensive knowledge of ‘all things Elstree’. On a personal level, Tish was a fantastic support to me and a loyal friend. I really miss her but know she isn’t far away. Elstree’s loss is very much Reading University’s gain, and we wish Tish the very best of luck with her new adventures. OSI

James and Hannah Morris

Congratulations to James and Hannah who were married on 23rd March 2022. We wish them every happiness.