OP News AW23: Julia Halbert

Staff Profile: Julia Halbert

It has been such a joy and privilege to work with so many amazingly talented colleagues and children over the past 45 years!

Back in June 1978, a timid 22-year-old left her Homerton digs late one evening, tentatively made her way through a pair of impressive wrought-iron gates and posted through the Perse Upper School’s letterbox a carefully crafted handwritten letter of application. Never did she expect that 45 years later, it would be a much bolder 67-year-old who would be retiring after nearly 35 years, or 104 terms, working at The Perse!

Imagine my delight when I was called to interview a week later. Back to Cambridge I rushed. After negotiating my way past the open-mouthed tiger-skin rug in the Headmaster’s office, Mr Melville and I had a very pleasant chat. I then pedalled furiously down Long Road on a borrowed child’s Chopper bike to the Prep, where I had another nice chat with the Master-in-Charge, Commander Ken Sumnall, and a tour of the School with the Deputy Head, Miss Alison Evans. The Prep was markedly different to today in many ways, however, there was something about the place that I immediately loved.

A few days later, I was back home with my parents when my mum called me in from the garden, saying that the Headmaster of The Perse School was on the phone. Mr Melville offered me the position of form teacher for the seven- to eight-year-olds in 2 Alpha, which I instantly accepted.

I spent nine happy years with 2 Alpha in the room I described as being “at the edge of empire”, and the only classroom not in Leighton House. In August 1987, I left the Prep to start a family. I loved being at home with my two children, running playgroups and doing some one-to-one tutoring. However, by 1997, I began to think about teaching again. When Paul Izzett, the Master of the Prep, asked if I’d be interested in a maternity cover job, I jumped at the chance. I spent two happy terms in what was by now called 3A remembering just how much I loved teaching Perse pupils, and was therefore delighted when I was offered a full-time post. Other roles were added over the years: RE Coordinator, Pre-Prep Liaison and Year 3 Coordinator. In about 2007, I took on the job of organising the testing of Year 2 children for entry into Year 3.

In 2012, at Gareth Jones’ suggestion, I agreed to stop being a form teacher (one less job title to fit onto my name badge!) and take on the role of Learning Support Coordinator. I am so grateful that, at an age when many people are winding down to retirement, I was instead being encouraged to study and learn more about such an important area of education. I worked with a fantastic learning support team, headed up by the wonderful Holly Singleton. Special thanks must go to James Piper, the current Head of the Prep, for his unwavering support as we developed the department.

I’ll always be grateful to The Perse for giving me so many opportunities to develop careerwise. It has been hard work at times, with lots of 14-hour days. The online testing of over 100 pupils in the era of Covid 19 was a bit of a challenge as a teacher for whom Banda machines and overhead projectors had been high-tech. However, I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed each minute of it. Whether it was teaching every subject on the current timetable (bar science and French), running clubs, serving on SLT, creating displays, organising outings, helping with concerts and plays, leading assemblies – it has all been great.

It has been a joy to get to know and work alongside so many kind and supportive people, all of whom are outstanding and inspirational in whatever their filed, be it academic, administrative, catering or maintenance. It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to teach amazing pupils, each with their individual character, open-faced and, for the most part, ready to learn and make the most of every opportunity given. Haircuts and uniforms may have changed over the years, but a Perse Prep child is still a Perse Prep child.