Valete - July 2014

The languages clubs, and trust me it would take far too long to list them all or the incredible effort put into organising Cultural Evening.

Generous and kind hearted, Hanna has also been a committed form tutor and still meets ex-tutees regularly. She has worked hard to get some of them through difficult times and through to university.

Finally, the publication of Max and Moritz is undoubtedly one of Hanna’s greatest successes and an incredible reward for her dedication.

Denise Storrs-Fox

It has been a great pleasure to work alongside Denise for a good number of years. She has given advice and support at all times and by her immense hard work and tenacity has been an exemplar of excellence. Within the faculty and in the wider spectrum of the staffroom she has shown herself to be a wonderful listener whose care and kindness have been underpinned by a strong and invaluable Christian faith.

It is in great part that her resolve and endeavour have raised standards in French at KS4 with the running of support sessions, the developing of engaging teaching resources and the establishment of the French residential trip in Normandy. Her passion for teaching has been always wholly visible. Both her talent and her creativity make language teaching fun and engaging. She will be greatly missed by the Faculty and the school as a whole.

Philip Holton

Philip steered the school’s faculty of Design and Technology for three years whilst also maintaining a keen interest in the senior soccer team. Under his gubernatorial skills the school maintained its strong tradition of excellence in this subject. There was always a rising sound of earnestly employed equipment emanating from his rooms juxtaposed by the fervent application of his students to all aspects of design taking in the functionality, the aesthetic and the materials of their intended outcome.

Under his auspices there too arose an enormous interest in creating robots which boys of various ages enjoyed considerably. It is no surprise that Philip has now moved to new heights. The faculty and the school as a whole wish him well.

Sarah Latcham

Sarah Latcham from the Classics Department has joined the staff at Shrewsbury School in Shropshire. Sarah was an outsatnding member of the Classics Department. Having joined as a NQT she showed that she could excel in all aspects of the syllabus in the teaching of Latin, Greek and Classical Civilisation. At no time daunted by anything she was a superb form teacher whose brillliant pastoral care was driven by a strong unshakeabale Christian faith. In this respect it is no surprise that she participated in the Christain fellowship weekends. She greatly enjoyed DoE and spent several weekends on some of the more advanced trips. She was also a very fine cricketer having captained her university side. She was a boon to the sports faculty with her willlingness to coach and umpire cricket. An exemplary teacher with the most lovely attitude to life she will be greatly missed by the staff and the head of department.

Jonathan Geoghegan

Jonathan started his teaching career as a PGCE student and to everyone’s benefit stayed on at the school as a full-time member of staff. This utterly delightful Northern Irishman was wholly involved in all aspects of the department be it rehearsing or conducting. He played a huge part in all the superlative school concerts and was deeply liked by all members of the staff. As a classroom practitioner he was superlative, beautifully dressed and able to converse too in French. He was never a man to shy away from commitments to all aspects of school life and was a very valued member of many trips both overseas and in this country. He leaves us now to join the music department as Assistant Director of Music at Latymer Upper where we wish him the very best and look forward to hearing news of his success.

Teacher of Science (Physics)

Mr Mark Acheson, who joins us as an NQT, was educated at Rathmore Grammar School in Belfast and went on to the University of Manchester where he gained a Degree in Physics. Mark undertook a PGCE at King’s College, London. Mark enjoys hiking and is keen to become involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. He is also a technology and computing enthusiast and would be interested in setting up extra-curricular activities for this subject.

Teacher of Classics

Mr Alexander Carroll also joins us as an NQT. Alexander was educated at King’s College School, Wimbledon and went on to Cambridge University where he gained a BA in Classics. He then went on to the University of London, Courtauld Institute, where he studied for an MA in the History of Art. Alexander undertook a PGCE at Cambridge University. In June 2012 he attended a course in Budapest where he gained a Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. Alexander is a keen musician. He enjoys listening to, playing and teaching in brass bands and currently plays Eb Tuba with Cambridge Section and District Band. He also enjoys Public Speaking. He holds both Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards and likes to travel.

Teacher of MFL (German)

Miss Laura Cooper, who has been appointed under the e-Qualitas Training Scheme, attended City of London School for Girls and the Anglo European School, before studying German at Oxford University from where she has just completed her finals with a First Class Honours. Fluent in German, Laura also speaks French and

Spanish. She is an accomplished musician, playing the Piano, Saxophone and Classical Guitar.

Teacher of English

Miss Philippa Doorbar joins us as an NQT. Philippa was educated at Cotham School Bristol and went on to the University of Warwick where she gained a Degree in English Literature. She then went on to gain an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies before completing a PGCE at the University of Exeter. Philippa has a passion for languages, literature and is a regular visitor to the theatre. She is also an accomplished musician, playing both the viola and cello. Philippa has been training for the marathon and is keen to become involved with the Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

Teacher of Art

Miss Deborah Farr, also an NQT, was educated at Sutton High School and went on to Wimbledon College of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, where she graduated with a Degree in Fine Art. Deborah then undertook a PGCE in Art and Design Education at the Institute of Education. Deborah has advanced IT Skills, regularly exhibits her own art and design work, makes short films and photographs live music events for an online magazine. Deborah was awarded a Gold Medal for her LAMDA Acting Grade 8 and has achieved Grade 4 on the Drum Kit. She also holds the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.

Teacher of History

Mr David Gonsalves was educated at East Barnett School and Woodhouse College. He then went on to the University of Sussex where he gained a BA in History, followed by an MA in Social and Political Thought.

David undertook a GTP Training Place in History at Canterbury Christ Church University. He was Deputy Head of Sixth Form and Teacher of History and Sociology at Dover Grammar School for Boys. David is a keen musician achieving Grade 6 Classical Piano and Grade 4 Musical Theory. He is a dedicated sportsman who enjoys golf, cricket, tennis, squash and running; he also holds the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and the Community Sports Leaders Award.

Teacher of Design Technology

Miss Samantha Lands completed her Btec Diploma in Art and Design at Camberwell College of Art and Design before going on to Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication where she gained a BA in Visual Communication Design. Samantha completed her PGCE at Goldsmiths University. For the past 4 years Samantha has been a teacher of Design Technology and Head of Learning at Crown Woods College. She was also a mentor for trainee teachers within the DT Department and a member of the working party for Design Ventura at the Design Museum. Samantha has built up links with designers in industry and universities; she has also organised several educational trips in the UK and Berlin.

Teacher of Mathematics

Mr Ryan Palmer was educated in Jamaica where he gained a BA in Economics and an MSc in Economics; he continued his studies in Florida and went on to gain an MSc in both Mathematical Sciences and Financial Mathematics. Ryan was a Teacher of Mathematics at St Edward’s School in Oxford. He is an avid reader and has written a book on the laws of self-regulated learning and improving academic attainment; he is also a keen Chess player.

Teacher of Computing and PLASMA-T Outreach Training

Mrs Sujatha Saul was educated in India and has an MSc in Computer Sciences. Sujatha was a Teacher of ICT at The Ockendon Academy and was responsible for KS3 Computing. She also has experience of running an ICT Young Leaders Club and working with G&T students. Mrs Saul’s daughter Kezia was a Sixth Form student at St Olave’s Grammar School and has just gained a place to study Medicine.

Teacher of Biology

Dr Ateesh Sidhu has just completed his School Direct Programme Training Place at St Olave’s Grammar School. He was educated at Blue Coats CE School and went on to University College London where he graduated with a Degree in Molecular Biology. He continued his studies at the University of Exeter where he gained an MSc in Bioinformatics and the University of Warwick where he gained a PhD in Structural Biology. Ateesh speaks fluent Punjabi and some Hindi and has a keen interest in sport.

LSEF

Mr David Thomas who has given many years of service to the school joins us again to support the PLASMA-T outreach work in Robotics and Computing.