Valete

AQUILA Valete

ANNA ORR – HEAD OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY

Anna joined Pipers in 2014 as Head of Food Technology and in her time at the School took the Department to new levels of success with consistently outstanding results at both GCSE and A Level. She was a highly committed, kind and focused Head of Department who was both meticulous and creative (especially noted for her amazing displays!) in her approach and undoubtedly the Queen of the kitchen gadget. To be invited to sample and comment on the results of a GCSE practical exam was certainly the highlight of a teacher’s day. She was also proactive at encouraging the pupils to compete in a range of competitions outside of the School, again with great success. Anna also led Hampden House with distinction during her time at Pipers - and who can forget the acquisition of the unicorn consume when it made its debut on Sports Day! All the Student Leaders of Hampden House certainly benefited from her wise counsel as they developed their role. LAURA CROSSE – HEAD OF BUSINESS

Laura Crosse joined Pipers as Head of Business in September 2017 and in her time at Pipers the popularity of the subject has greatly increased with much larger numbers opting to study the subject across all age groups. Laura’s students’ love her lessons and she is always willing to give additional time to ensure they maximise their potential. She can often be found at lunchtime with Business students’ helping them conquer their fear of financial calculations or develop their writing skills.

Laura is passionate about her subject and about developing the student’s interest outside the classroom. She introduced enterprise projects into the Year 9 curriculum and it was fantastic to see the students’ entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated through the businesses they set up and products they produced for the Christmas Fair. Laura has also been instrumental in leading highly successful Sixth Form Young Enterprise teams. In 2018 the Pipers Corner team reached the Regional Finals of the Competition with their wood based products and this year two teams from Pipers reached the Regional Finals with one team ‘Bathe’ winning this round, then winning the National Finals in London leading to a place in the European Final alongside the top 40 schools in Europe. It is clear that her guidance, support and inspiration have been key in the students’ gaining such success.

Laura leaves Pipers to relocate with her husband and young family to Bristol where she will be continuing her teaching at Badminton School. Here she will also take responsibility for co-ordinating the EPQ programme. We wish her every success in her new home and thank her for all the work she has done at Pipers. DENISE BEVAN - HEAD OF CAREERS AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY TEACHER

Denise Bevan leaves Pipers Corner School after joining us three years ago. As Head of Careers she has directed and advised many hundreds of students across all key stages, but having a particular passion for helping the Sixth Form students decide their post-18 choices. Denise has successfully organised two extremely prestigious Careers Fairs with more than 100 companies and Universities showcasing their opportunities not only for our students, but also for other local students in the wider community.

Her dedication and commitment to the students was second to none and this was particularly evident when she stepped up to help the Food Technology Department with A Level teaching. Denise will always go the extra mile to help her colleagues and is one of those typical teachers who always put the girls first. Her cheerful disposition will be hugely missed by all her colleagues and we wish her all the best for the future. ANNIE BOWER – (ACTING) HEAD OF DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Annie Bower joined Pipers Corner in 2015 initially as a part time teacher of Design Technology; however, by 2016 she was made Acting Head of the Department. Since then she has worked with great creativity and imagination, introducing a sense of innovative design into her workshop. All students who walk into her classroom can see the enthusiasm Annie has injected into the department with the various projects on display.

Last year, in 2018, Annie played a significant role in making our school Remembrance Day service so memorable. Every girl and staff member was asked to research the name of someone in his or her family who has served, or been affected by conflict, or alternatively find out about someone in the local community. The names of these people were then written on the

leaves of our poppies. Annie helped this vision become a reality by first training staff how to assemble the poppies so they could then deliver the instructions to their students. The poppies were then planted outside in the school quad; resulting in a beautiful emotive sight.

In 2019, Annie entered a team of Year 8 girls entered the “Girls Who Change the World” challenge created by IBM, Disney and STEM Learning, to inspire girls aged 11-14 to be a force for change. She helped the girls devise a project that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to change our world for the better and we were absolutely delighted to hear that under her guidance, they have made it through to the finals. We would like to wish Annie all the success in her new role and all the best for the future. DEBORAH CARTER - TEACHER OF SOCIOLOGY (MATERNITY COVER)

Although Deborah Carter has only been with us for one year covering a maternity leave, she will leave a lasting impression on all the girls she has taught. The commitment she has given to her subject and the dedication and care she has shown her students will always be remembered. I know the Sixth Form students who study Sociology with her have greatly appreciated her attention to detail, along with the time she devoted to helping them prepare for their forthcoming AS and A Level examinations. Deborah has been a great friend and colleague to staff and together we all wish her well for the future. AUDRA BYERLY – TEACHER OF SCIENCE

Audra started teaching at Pipers in 2006, initially joining the school as a member of the Science department. After the birth of her son, she returned to work in both the Mathematics and Science departments, mainly working in the senior section of the school but enjoying immensely the opportunities she had to work with students in the Prep department.

In recent years she was inspired by TED talks and would frequently share links with colleagues of presentations that had inspired her or informed her own practice. The TED mission to “believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world” resonated with her and she felt compelled to set up an enrichment club to enable students to ask big questions and broaden their perspectives.

As a scientist, Mrs Byerley’s first passion was Chemistry but her desire to make the world a better place often motivated her to bring environmental and social issues into the school. She was a caring member of the community, keen to support those around her, passionate about kindness.

Audra is an active person with an insatiable attitude to challenge herself. In the past she has been involved in competitive gymnastics, coached swimming and has even successfully taken on the London marathon. She continues to participate in the 5k ParkRun phenomenon and is leaving Pipers excited by the challenges and opportunities ahead which include, among other things, following one of her sons into rowing. STEVEN MATTHEWS - HEAD OF PHYSICS

Steven Matthews joined the School in September 2017 as Head of Physics. His enthusiasm for his subject, particularly Astronomy, was obvious from the outset and he founded the Astronomy Club in his first year, persuading PPTA to fund a suitably powerful telescope. He leaves behind a staff and student body that is now more knowledgeable when it comes to Astrophysics.

A keen communicator, Steven has been quick to show his students how Physics is relevant to their everyday existence, whether it has been Year 7 learning about light and how we see different colours or Year 13 studying Nuclear Physics. Steven has been particularly determined that his A Level students have a rigorous understanding of Physics experiments and that they can confidently deal with concepts such as uncertainty, an increasingly important aspect of A Level papers.

Steven has also played a wider role in the school community as a Form Tutor as well as taking part in whole Science Department events such as Titanic Day for Prep students and organising a lecture trip to Royal Holloway College. He leaves us for Stowe school where his enthusiasm for his subject will no doubt quickly encourage his students to think about the Physics that underpins their daily lives. HANNAH VARKER - PERFORMING ARTS ASSISTANT & LAMDA TEACHER

Hannah joined the Drama Department as a Drama Assistant in 2016 and her energy, enthusiasm and organisational skills made her an instantly valuable member of the Performing Arts team. Hannah’s role over the past three years has evolved in to assisting all the Performing Arts Departments and she has been an absolutely integral part in the running of the Senior and Junior Dance Shows. Her Google docs and lists are a thing of beauty! Hannah has the most amazing rapport with so many students, who have come to rely on her for pastoral as well as academic support.

Her dedication and attention to detail in her ESB and LAMDA teaching has been invaluable and she has coached girls to outstanding results in their examinations. Hannah has been a member of the Community Choir and performed as part of the church service on Speech Day. Everyone will remember her saving the day at the very last minute as one of the three kings in the Pre-Prep Nativity assembly in front of the whole school, she looked very fetching in her camel costume; and stepping into the fray for the GCSE performance of Jane Eyre. Hannah has run the Year 3 and 4 Drama Club and was a vital member of the team that took a large group of Drama girls on a trip to New York last year.

She has inspired many students and has a wonderful rapport with all age groups. Her contributions to the Senior School productions, Senior Theatre Company, Year 6 productions and other Drama performances have been incredible and she will leave a legacy that will be hard to rival. She has been a friendly face and a port in a storm on many occasions for both staff and girls, and will be sorely missed by everyone she has worked with over the years. Wishing her all the luck in the world with her new venture; what an inspiration to the girls to follow their dreams!