Commendations

Well done Gatehouse School, you have had a tremendous week!

A special mention to those who were commended for their positivity.

Interview of the Week

In PSHE, Year 5 reflected on the different people who help us and discussed what sort of skills would be useful when doing that job.

Here is Mrs Korbay's interview:

Anouk: Thank you for taking the time today to answer our questions. This week in PSHE, we are learning about the skills we need to get a job.

Ophelia: How long have you been a Headteacher?

I took over as the Headteacher of Gatehouse in 2019. So it has been over 3 years now.

Anouk: Have you had other jobs outside of education?

I was trained to be an accountant. I really loved maths when I was younger (I still do!). So I worked in the city for a company as a trainee accountant. But I did not really enjoy the job and that is when I chose education.

Etta: Why did you choose Gatehouse?

I was working in the state sector and actually my children came to Gatehouse and I told myself, “What a wonderful school to work in!" And here I am, Headteacher of this wonderful school I fell in love with years ago. What a blessing!

Ophelia: What was your dream when you were younger and did it come true?

My dream job when I was younger was to be a dentist.

I loved pulling teeth out. I pulled all my sister’s teeth out. But in secondary school, I started biology and I quickly realised that I could not dissect animals.

Giuliana: What skills do you need in your job as a headteacher?

To be a headteacher, you have to be honest, true and hard working.

You also need to be resilient, very organised, focused and courageous. You need to have inspiration and to be ambitious.

You have to believe in children and your staff.

Being a headteacher is actually a really lonely job. You have to spend a lot of time on your own thinking of what is the best for the children and the staff.

That is why I love being outside in the playground, chatting with the children and going to assemblies.

Anouk: What obstacles did you face?

The biggest obstacle I faced was answering a key question I was asked during my interview to be the Headteacher of Gatehouse. The question was: "Can you stop teaching?" It is very difficult to teach and fulfil your responsibilities as a headteacher. It was so hard to answer because I LOVED teaching.

Giuliana: Are there any skills you would like to develop further?

Definitely my musical instrument skills.

I always wanted to play piano but I never took the time in my life. It is a lot of practice and I have not yet managed my time well enough to start. But I am so impressed with our Gatehouse children that can play an instrument. It is such a fantastic skill to have.

Etta: If you had to consider another job what would it be?

I do not think I could do another job as I love my job so much.

But in a dream or maybe later in my life, I would like to volunteer at a children's home called SOS. I would read and sing to them. I would play with them.

I am very blessed to be the Headteacher at Gatehouse and to spend my days with great children and work with great teachers. Because I feel so blessed, I would love to give back to the universe to say thank you.

Anouk: What is your favourite year group to work with?

It is such a hard question. I am torn between Reception and Year 6. Reception represents the start of your education where you learn how to count, write and read. I have always loved the magic of what happens in Reception.

But I also love the champion qualities of Year 6.

It is like a flower that you can see blossoming and becoming so confident and reading for the future.

It would be impossible to answer this question, impossible to choose between the magic at the beginning and magic at the end.

Etta: Thank you so much, Mrs Korbay, for taking the time to answer our questionnaire. We wanted to tell you that you are doing a GREAT job and thank you for that.