FAREWELL
SENIOR & PREP SCHOOL
incredibly grateful parents who were so pleased that their daughter began school with Mrs Cochrane. Those girls who had been through her care and were about to leave U6 also her gave a very fitting send off with their rendition of ‘My Way,’ at Speech Day. We will miss Jill’s tremendous sense of fun and energy, her wisdom, support and friendship and we wish her every happiness in what we are sure will be a busy retirement with her two young grandchildren and much involvement in the local community.
Janet Charlesworth
Naomi Bartholomew - Prep Headmistress
Verity Crawford
V In the staff community, Janet will be remembered for her spirit and sense of fun. Leading exciting Bockett Farm trips, organising educational themed days for her year group and supporting Nativity productions, Janet’s bottom once featured in a memorable performance of the visiting theatre company ‘Blunderbus!’ A fitness enthusiast, she enjoyed running and fitness events both in and outside school. Also a keen traveller, she has set her sights on exciting horizons, taking her skills in English teaching to China for a new adventure. We all wish her well and she will be missed. Rachel Churchly Cook - Prep Form Teacher
Jill Cochrane
M
rs Jill Cochrane retired at the end of the summer term after fifteen years of outstanding service as Deputy Head, Head of Pre-Prep and inspirational PPI class teacher. Jill built the Pre Prep from a single form entry department to a two-form entry integral part of the Prep School, housed in the purpose built Trinity Court which she helped to create. Her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years is, in my opinion, unparalleled and, as such, she has done much to train and develop staff as well as representing and championing the Early Years sector locally and on the national GSA Education Committee. A number of colleagues have chosen to train and enter the teaching profession due to their experience of working alongside Mrs Cochrane. She nurtured and led our strong existing Pre Prep staff team with true expertise. Jill also entertained us all with her superb nativity plays, which are the stuff
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ST CATHERINE’S 2017
of legend, whilst undertaking her duties as a member of the Senior Management Team with professional dedication and commitment. But it was the girls who were at the heart of all Jill did; from the moment a girl arrived for her taster morning to starting school in her super brand new uniform, Jill was there to welcome and inspire and to lead that young girl on the start of her ‘educational journey’. Jill’s classroom was always such fun to be in; it always looked amazing and on more than one occasion I found Jill on her knees looking at a wall display to check what it would look like through the eyes of a PPI! Much well deserved praise and thanks went to Jill at our Open Day, especially from
erity Crawford, St Catherine’s alumna (Class of 2012) spent three terms with us as Office Junior in the Senior School on a post-university gap year. She threw herself into the role with aplomb, demonstrating excellent administrative skills, a great sense of teamwork and tact and sensitivity where necessary. As a fellow Durham theologian, I particularly enjoyed having her in the office next door for an occasional philosophical chat! We wish Verity all the very best for the future. Claire Wyllie - Director of Staff
Hélène Favre-Bulle
H
élène joined St Catherine’s for one year as our Graduate Musician in Residence and immediately made the role her own with her exceptional skills as an accompanist and her warm rapport with students and staff alike. As director of Middle Chamber Choir and accompanist for the Assocation Choir, she was instrumental in the success of the Assocation Concert
Jill Cochrane