New Teachers Elizabeth Aquilina The first new teacher to join the Physics department this year, Elizabeth Aquilina, comes to us after studying Maths and Physics at the University of Malta and a year of Petroleum Geophysics at Imperial. She enjoys teaching younger students and imparting her love of physics to them. She’s particularly interested in physics as it gives her an opportunity think about and analyse the world around her. Beyond physics, she describes herself as a fan of theatre and enjoys dancing.
Craig Bradnam
Clare Byrne
Greg Hacksley Dr Greg Hacksley arrives at the School as Head of Sixth Form, and to teach English, having previously taught at St Edmund’s College, and having studied English Literature at Rhodes University. He has found his start to St Albans life to be pleasant, and is impressed by the friendliness of the school. He enjoys the more human capacity of his subject to ‘let us explore the lives of others vicariously’, believing it to be important to our role as ‘storytelling animals’. He hopes to bring his expertise in both English and pastoral care to the department, helping students to realise their university ambitions. Away from the classroom, he enjoys both drama and music, directing plays, and playing a variety of instruments from violin to guitar. He is also an avid armchair critic of both cricket and rugby.
James Hughes James Hughes is our new Head of English, having read English Literature at Oxford, before teaching at the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle for six years and then at Sevenoaks school for two years. Mr Hughes dived into the world of teaching after spending a little more than a year as an accountant, which he ultimately found dull, and so chose to return to his love of English. As the new Head of English, he hopes to raise the profile of English in a school that leans towards STEM subjects.
5 Ins & Outs
Also joining the Physics department this year is Clare Byrne. An experienced physicist, she previously worked as a researcher of engineering and medical physics before deciding to become a teacher. She has previously taught at Verulam and Sherrardswood School in Welwyn. Having family connections with the school has meant that she knows it well and has been attracted by the friendly environment and excellent facilities. She has shown her passion for singing by joining the choir but is also interested in horse-riding outside school.
The Albanian 2013
Craig Bradnam is the first of two new Maths teachers, who joins us from Rivers Academy, where he taught Maths for two years. Mr Bradnam has a degree in Computing, which he gained from Imperial College London. He enjoys Maths because it allows him to explore new problems. He is inspired to teach people, and was attracted to St Albans School for its friendly staff, interested students and its great reputation.