STUDENT/TEACHER INTERVIEW

Student To Teacher

What inspired you to be a teacher?

I always wanted to be a teacher when I was at school. I was lucky to be able to retrain and pursue that after I had my children.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?

Anything that would involve travel and seeing the world.

What’s the best part of your job?

There are lots of good parts, working with young people means that every day is different and there is certainly never time to get bored.

Who are your heroes?

David Attenborough. I am sure lots of people would have the same answer, but he has done such an excellent job of highlighting issues such as climate change, plastic pollution and losses of biodiversity. He seems to be able to engage people from all generations.

Why did you choose to teach at Steyning Grammar School?

I only started working at SGS in September, I wanted the challenge of working in a larger school based over different sites. Working mostly at Rock Road has enabled me to get to know the students and the school quickly, it has been great to meet all the Year 7 and 8 students there.

Tell me a little about a teacher that inspired you.

My maths teacher when I was in Year 10 and 11 (although it was called Year 4 and 5 then!). She always had time for us and she used to make an excellent Mars Bar cake at the end of term.

What is one exciting teaching method you use?

I am a Science teacher and so any practical demonstrations or tasks always help to engage students. Particularly if it involves fire and burning things.

What are your thoughts on education today?

There are so many things we could talk about here. There are lots of challenges in education, especially when we look at the bigger picture and the use of smartphones and social media and how their use impacts on young people. I really like working in a school with iPads now as it enables us to show a more positive way to engage with the internet and use new technology to our advantage.

TEACHER TO STUDENT LEON – YEAR 7

Tell me about yourself in 30 seconds.

My name is Leon, my birthday is in July and I go to SGS and really enjoy it. I do guitar, I’m on my third grade, do drama club outside of school and I have a dog that I love - called Bruno.

What are your strengths?

I think I am good at maths and drama because I do drama club outside of school. I also would say I am resilient.

What are your weaknesses?

I think I could do better in music. It is harder when I am not doing guitar.

Give one example of something you enjoy, respect or have achieved at Steyning Grammar School.

I have achieved writing my first ever essay - in History and I got a good grade for it.

What or whom inspires you?

My Dad inspires me because he is good at lots of things like art, design and technology.

What are your plans for the future after leaving school?

I want to be an interior designer. It sounds like a really fun job.

What is your favourite line from a film/song/book?

I forget the book but it is ‘even though I have gone through so much, I bounce back’.

What one thing would you change about school life?

I want more to be able to swap my ERA points in the shop because I have loads of them.

Helicopter Visit At Tps

As part of a STEM/Careers Day we were delighted to welcome a Scout helicopter, courtesy of Historic Army Aircraft Flight, which landed on the school field.

After feeling the incredible downforce generated by the rotors, 180 students from all year groups enjoyed the opportunity to get up close to the aircraft and talk to the Army pilots and engineers, asking questions about the functionality, operation, and engineering of the aircraft. Students asked them how their careers developed and how to start a career in aviation and engineering. They were also given the chance to sit inside the Scout helicopter as the pilots talked them through the controls. Pilot Major Rich Pillans is a former TPS student himself!

In a carousel of activities, students also attended presentations from experienced, graduate and apprentice engineers from Boeing, who spoke about their current roles within the aviation industry, how they got to where they are today, and the possible career paths open to our students. This was invaluable as it showed them how it is possible to be able to get into a position of engineering at Boeing and what the many pathways and options might look like.

Alongside this, members from the Army Flying Museum told the story of British Army Flying from the early days of military ballooning to the modern Army Air Corps. This included a variety of different items and artefacts, their history, and how they were influential in shaping today’s aircraft and military equipment.

Finally, we bid farewell to the pilots and engineers as they took off, having inspired the next generations of engineers, pilots, and recruits to pursue a career in the aviation industry. It was a fabulous afternoon and students gained valuable insight into the possibilities of these exciting and important careers.