LEAVING STAFF

EDWARD STONARD

STAFF 1998-2022) Physics Technician

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

Find time each week to submit your petty-cash claim forms.

What are you most proud of?

Having made several innovative new pieces of demonstration apparatus for the Physics department.

What will you miss the most?

Friday morning fried breakfast.

What will you miss the least? Health and safety bureaucracy: risk assessments, portable appliance testing, etc.

Your fondest memory?

Many years ago, the science department used to hold various social events – fireworks, Epsom Races, barbeques, bowling... these were good ways to get to know colleagues.

HUGO COSTAIN

2004-2011, RGS STAFF 2017-2022) Teacher of French and Spanish, Commanding Officer of the RAF CCF section

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself? Take things slowly and try to focus on having time to relax.

What are you most proud of?

My role as head of the RAF CCF section where we (finally!) provided the cadets with opportunities to take gliding and flying lessons.

What will you miss the most?

My supportive and caring colleagues, many of whom are now close friends. I will also miss breakfast and lunch – thank you to the catering team!

What will you miss the least?

The panic of being caught in traffic on Reigate Hill during my morning commute.

Your fondest memory?

A trip to France with some First Formers where we visited a snail farm and proceeded to watch a PowerPoint presentation on snails from a passionate Frenchman. I don’t think I will ever forget the close-up pictures of snails kissing!

Any other comments?

I wish all the staff at Reigate Grammar School the best for the future – please do stay in touch!

RICHARD ALVAREZ (RGS STAFF 2016-2022) Design and Technology Teacher, Rugby

and Cricket coach

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself?

I would tell myself to relax and enjoy the day. I was quite nervous after leaving my previous role and comfort zone and could have been more relaxed with more of an open approach. It was great to see the teaching staff that I started with – some stayed with us at RGS for a few years after!

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of producing over 1,000 pieces of PPE equipment for the NHS during the height of the pandemic. This was a project that was particularly dear to my heart, and it was great to know that with some clever design and innovation, we produced equipment that was transported to clinics around the Surrey area. Getting recognition from our peers, the Headmaster and the leadership team made a real difference.

What will you miss the most?

I am going to miss the amazing colleagues that I was blessed with seeing every day. They made my day, and I am going to miss the laughs, the camaraderie and the general pick-you-up when they knew that you needed it. Teachers are an intrinsic bunch, and we evoke our emotions in our teaching and our personality. Having game-changing people around, to share the highs and the lows with, I will never forget.

What will you miss the least?

Form Tutor report writing! I understand that it was a necessary evil, however, when I was juggling living with a baby daughter (who is now five) and limited sleep, I must admit that these got me close to the end of my tether!

Your fondest memory?

The senior rugby tour to South Africa in 2018. We had just played one of our first fixtures and the stunning backdrop of the hills and mountains behind the pitch will always stay with me. It was a tough game, but seeing the lads getting along with the opposition and sharing some laughs – dancing on tabletops and enjoying the best part of rugby – mutual respect and admiration for the combatant playing their very best for the colours they represent. Representing RGS in an international scenario like this was fantastic.

Any other comments?

I look back very fondly on my time at RGS. This place will always hold a special place in my heart. Both of my children were born at the local East Surrey Hospital and have grown up in the area. I was proud of taking my daughter to DT workshops during lockdown and showing her what being a teacher at RGS meant to me. Sometimes, I felt that I still had one more chapter to write at RGS, but I guess there was a calling to begin another chapter somewhere else.

WE ALSO BID A FOND FAREWELL TO:

Aga Wisnicka (RGS staff 2019-2022), Payroll Administrator

Amanda Adams (RGS staff 2019-2022), Receptionist

Anita Evans (RGS staff 2021-2022), Librarian

Cherie Stockil (RGS staff 2013-2022), IT Manager

Chloe Jones (RGS staff 2013-2022), Teacher of English

Claire Yellow (RGS staff 2021-2022), Marketing Assistant

Daniel Walker-Cheetham (RGS staff 2017-2022), Senior Finance Assistant

Diane Clark (RGS staff 2015-2022), Art Technician

Ecem Guen (RGS staff 2021-2022), MFL Assistant (German)

Grace Chandler (RGS staff 2010-2022) Library Assistant

Imogen Riddick (RGS staff 2021-2022), Teacher of Economics

Jette Bovingdon (RGS staff 2011-2022), School Counsellor

Liv Ient (RGS staff 2019-2022), HR Officer

Luke Stoneman (RGS staff 2021-2022), Teacher of Physics

Marion Louet (RGS staff 2021-2022), MFL Assistant (French)

Michelle Minson (RGS staff 2016-2022), Classroom Assistant

Michelle Morgan (RGS staff 2021-2022), Marketing Executive

Nikki Burch (RGS staff 2020-2022), Reigatian Community Officer

Rebecca Erratt (RGS staff 2015-2022), Drama Assistant

Rich Turner (RGS staff 2016-2022), Graphics and Communications Officer

Ruth Glover (RGS staff 2010-2022), Finance Assistant

Sally Wadey (RGS staff 2004-2022), PA to Bursar

Sabrina Moutarde (RGS staff 2021-2022) Marketing Executive

Sara De La Torre (RGS staff 2021-2022), MFL Assistant (Spanish)

Sarika Shah (RGS staff 2018-2022), Teacher of Maths

Simon Collins (RGS 1979-1985, RGS staff 2007-2022), Teacher of Geography and Head of DofE

Sonia Dembinska (RGS staff 2015-2022), Saturday Music College

Susan Lockyer (RGS staff 2007-2022), Senior Science Technician

Sydney Biggs (RGS staff 2006-2022), DT Technician

Since the first RGS International school opened in Nanjing back in 2020, RGS’s international education project has gone from strength to strength. Since then, Reigate Grammar School has welcomed students in RGS Vietnam and most recently added to its portfolio, RGS Riyadh. Our Global Village is a force for change, driving great education across continents, supporting interactions between young people that help shape their future. Education is a powerful tool, one that offers opportunity and the chance for change. We seek to further expand the global Reigatian community by building foundations and networks that underpin the values supported by our schools and the education within. This is an opportunity to bring the core values of the RGS brand, promoting cultural enrichment and education of the children worldwide.