Fond Farewells
Mrs Cockburn
Ms Cross
Dr Mason
Mr Martin Livesey (11 years), Mrs Patricia Cockburn, Ms Lucie Cross and Mrs Jennifer O’Hagan (each 9 years) left us this summer.
Miss Whitwood
Also moving to new pastures this year are Dr Jenny Mason (5 years), Miss Laura Whitwood (5 years) and Dr Faye Thorndycroft (3 years). Many students have benefited from their excellent teaching and huge support over the last few years.
Mr Livesey made huge contributions to the Geography, Sports and Careers Departments and the Rowing Club. His very special rendition of Angels will be sorely missed every Christmas and we wish him well in his retirement adventures.
Dr Mason’s commitment and sense of adventure inspired her students to fulfil a higher potential than they knew they had. She quickly became an integral part of Norwich High life, and her commitment to every aspect of the school was evident at every turn. Her contribution to the partnership we enjoy with Elmina Girls’ School in Ghana is a legacy which will always be treasured. We wish her the very best as she continues her career progression as Head of Chemistry at CNS.
Mrs Cockburn’s love and support for the girls was felt across every section of the school. As second in the MFL Department she ensured that each of her girls received the best and most enthusiastic introduction to studying languages, and that our Language Assistants always had the warmest welcome. Hugely popular, a great arranger of trips and a dear friend, Mrs Cockburn will be greatly missed by us all. We wish her the very best as she relocates to Alsace (near Strasbourg) with her family.
Miss Whitwood’s inexhaustible wealth of ideas and activities, employed to great effect in the Junior School will be greatly missed. She encouraged her girls to make the most of every opportunity and to be the best they could be. Miss Whitwood said she will miss the girls hugely, particularly how considerate, kind and fun they are, and the Stafford House performances and singing, which she said always gave her goosebumps. As an Old Girl of Norwich High School, Miss Whitwood was a part of the family before she became a teacher. We look forward to hearing more about her move to London as she takes up her new post as Deputy Head Pastoral.
Ms Cross joined us in September 2007 as a teacher of Religious Studies with a particular focus on A Level teaching. A very experienced professional and subject specialist with a degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ms Cross is also a Principal Examiner and has taught all aspects of Religious Studies at Norwich High School contributing significantly to its successes and programme of excursions. She will be dearly missed for her great sense of humour, efficiency and organisation, and for being a great colleague and friend. We look forward to continuing to work with Ms Cross as she becomes Head of RS at Notre Dame.
Dr Thorndycroft’s professionalism and expertise helped many students to enjoy and develop their skills in Chemistry. With a can-do attitude, she inspired her students to have a go and never miss an opportunity. We wish her and her family well.
Mrs O’Hagan joined the Classics Department as a part time teacher. During her time with us, she supported many Sixth Form students with their EPQ qualifications and has helped to prepare several Classics Oxbridge applicants. She has also organised several memorable international trips, most recently to Tunisia. Mrs O’Hagan leaves us to continue her work as an examiner and to complete her Egyptology degree. We wish her a very happy and successful future.
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