birkenheadschool.co.uk
Staff News At the end of this academic year we say goodbye to David Jones who joined the Mathematics Department covering maternity leave in 2013. I am not sure we have seen any teacher become a legend in such a short space of time. Two of Dave’s many passions are teaching mathematics and playing the guitar. If you think his maths lessons are good you really need to hear him play the guitar and you can do that at any one of the many national concerts planned for MAMA a very successful Genesis Tribute Band for whom Dave plays bass guitar. On numerous occasions Dave has skillfully merged his two passions and you may be taken by surprise as you passed his classroom to hear his Year 11 class singing the 12 Mymaths days of Christmas or his Year 7 class making a recording of a
song on fractions. Dave has contributed significantly to our music provision with his guitar ensembles and played in our recent School musicals . We also say goodbye to Sara Christie, who has been here for a year covering maternity leave in our Mathematics Department. This was her first teaching post and her commitment and dedication to her students is evident for all to see. We wish her well in her new position starting at Wirral Grammar School for Girls in September. Our best wishes also go to our School Nurse, Debbie Rennie, who will be leaving us for a short period of time to have her first baby. We hope this all goes well and we look forward to seeing her return soon. by Mr Edmunds
Farewell to Mr Rimmer For some, the end of an academic year can be a time for reflection and contemplation, for others, unbridled celebration. Whilst I would ordinarily fall into the latter category, this year my celebrations have been tempered by a certain sadness, as I bid a fond farewell to my colleague and good friend, Chris Rimmer. Chris joined Birkenhead School in September 2008, a fresh faced NQT. His gift for teaching, exceptional organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail meant that it wasn't long before he was promoted, first, to Head of Spanish in 2010, and then to Assistant Head of Overdale and Second in Modern Foreign Languages in 2011. Shortly after this, Chris was made Head of Overdale. Three years on from his Overdale appointment, Chris now leaves us to take up the posts of Assistant Principal and Head of Modern Languages at Ormston Chadwick Academy. We wish you well, Chris, as you
move on to exciting new opportunities. We will miss your inspirational teaching, the professionalism you have brought to every aspect of the job and the sense of fun which has made it such a pleasure to work alongside you. What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches, and we all know that your departure leaves a void that will be extremely difficult to fill. Thank you for the enormous contribution you have made to the life of Birkenhead School during your time with us and, for my part, a special thank you for your unswerving support and friendship along the way. by Ms Smeaton
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Mrs Belchier Retirement Can you believe it! The much loved and respected, Mrs Belchier is retiring after 43 years teaching. Her first teaching post was in Coombe Road Primary School, Irby, where she worked with two other Birkenhead School “Golden Oldies”, namely Di Hodgkinson and Pam MacDonald. She moved to Arrowe Hill Primary School and has spent the last 19 years teaching at Birkenhead School. She will be remembered for her kindness, endless patience, incredible organisation and for the beauty of her classroom displays. She is currently teaching second generation pupils! She has much to fill the days ahead, including looking after Austin, her grandson in London.
She has promised to bake more and to supply the Prep Staff room with her creations. We look forward to eating her cakes. She will now have time to sing, read a backlog of books, swim and to travel more. We wish her well in her retirement. by Dr Jarvis
Goodbye to Mrs Hurst In the short time that Sharon Hurst has been in Prep, she has made a big impact on the pupils in Year 4. Having a lovely rapport with the children, she has both inspired and encouraged them but perhaps most importantly made their learning fun. Not only has she introduced them to French, she has nurtured their interest in a wide range of topics during her weekly after school Quiz Club. Much to the delight of the children, Sharon also ran a Chess Club during her lunch break, which was enthusiastically attended by an increasingly large number of pupils, wanting to either learn or master this popular game. Sharon will not only be missed as a teacher but
also as a colleague and friend to those of us in the staff room. We all wish her ‘Bon Voyage’ as she relocates to Newcastle with her husband Alex and her two boys Benjamin and Thomas, and embarks on a new and exciting chapter of her life. by Mrs Coyne
Mrs Goldstone moves to Australia A two year-old, a three month-old baby AND a move half way around the world, she's one brave lady! In April, Mrs Goldstone took the plunge and moved to start a new life down under, following her husband’s job relocation. Mrs Goldstone has spent five happy years in Prep and will be greatly missed by the children and staff. One aspect of Mrs Goldstone’s fantastic teaching was bringing Italian to the curriculum where it was particularly well received with the children who loved learning the language. However, it has to be said that the
Year 4 teacher's ears will be saved from hearing endless renditions of the ‘Italian welcome song’, which has clearly been one of their favourites! She also enjoyed running the House quiz competition during the summer term and taking quiz teams to represent School, often with great success. We are sad to see a good friend, colleague and teacher depart, but I am sure all children and staff will join me in wishing Mrs Goldstone and her family, Eliot, Jacob and Amelie, well as they embark on a new life down under. by Mrs Brand