SENIOR & PREP SCHOOL
AMP - Cathy Lamb, Head of curriculum ICT relocates to Australia to be closer to her family after 7 years tenure during which we have seen the steady introduction of coding modules to all Middle and Senior School ICT teaching, not to mention competitions and a variety of activities to promote Computer Science as a subject. Janet Charlesworth in the Prep. School departs for a complete change of scene and challenge in Guangzhou (Gwan-joe), China, after 9 years as a dedicated class teacher of PPI and PPII. Nine much longer-serving colleagues leaving this year have given, between them, 153 years’ service to this School in a wide range of roles. In the Visiting Music Team, Elena Krivenko (Piano) and Sally Rolls (Oboe) retired earlier in the year; Yvonne Akehurst (Cat Club Supervisor); and Krystyna Latuske, (Fees Administrator) retired after 17 years. In Modern Languages, Head of French, Lucy Strong, Class of 1987, steps out of teaching here after 16 years; Judy Corben retired in October after 22 years on the admin staff, the last 15 as Senior School Registrar. She is known to many in the room as the first face of their St Cat’s Journey. Chris Peskett retires this year after 26 years in many roles: teacher of Food and Nutrition, Bronte Boarding Housemistress, Head of PSHE, Housemistress of Ashcombe House and subsequently part time teacher. Almost a whole career. Turning to our Senior colleagues, Heather Bryn-Thomas, teacher of Maths and School timetabler, former Housemistress of RB, School Administrator, Director of Studies, latterly Chapel Warden and Director of UCAS and Higher Education has filled her 14 years here to the brim with dedicated service and time for everyone. NJB - We say a fond farewell to Jill Cochrane, Deputy Head and Head of Pre Prep, after 15 years of outstanding service. Jill has been there to encourage our youngest pupils (and their parents) and, indeed, me as well, from
their very first days at St Catherine’s. Many girls will be sitting here today remembering their time in Mrs Cochrane’s class. She has undertaken her duties as Deputy Head with the utmost professionalism and been a hugely supportive colleague to us both. We wish her a happy and fulfilling retirement. Finally, Christine Silver retired at Christmas after 28 and a half years at St Catherine’s: Maths teacher, Ashcombe House Tutor, Head of Maths, School Administrator and finally Business Manager, Mrs Silver’s skilful management of the School’s finances established practices that continue and further underpin our confidence for the future. To them and all the staff leaving this year, we say farewell and thank you. AMP - The biggest group of leavers today, though, are the Class of 2017. The last year group to be born in the last century, the first to move into the Sports Hall, the last to enjoy - endure? - assembly in the Speech Hall, and the first to see their whole Sixth Form career in the Sixth Form Library, occasionally to make it look somewhat more, how shall we say, ‘lived in’ than it should! - and to brand it the SHLib! Among them are the ‘Lifers’: Ellie Bacon, Lucinda Batcheler, Lauren Beavis, Isabella Bourne, Sanmarie Grobler, Anne-Claire Holden, Courtney Johnson, Joanna Phillips, Alice Pink, Izzy Rust, Jasmin Sharpe, Annabel Strong, Olivia Trimming and Katie Vega. As is my tradition, I offer all the leavers some quotations to inspire and steady them on their way. First, I chose some wise counsel from their Head of Sixth Form in her presentation at the Leavers’ Lunch: ‘Pray for courage and wisdom, not things. Remember that it is what you do rather than what you have that defines ultimately your character.’ I also gave some thought to your parents who might like this: When you have teenagers it is important to have a dog so that somebody in the house is pleased to see you!
SPEECHES
Finally, from your own musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - an outstanding production from start to finish, accomplished in just two weeks - some memories kindly supplied by co-director Claudie Gilchrist, self-confessed devotee of all things Musicals. Would you join me up here, Claudie, to provide a more credible New York accent than I can muster? – and she did: ‘If you have education and intelligence, so much the better. But remember thousands have reached the top without any of these qualities.’ Then a mantra that most of us in the Staff Room live by: ‘If I can’t take my coffee break something within me dies.’ And finally, some careers advice which I love. Imagine you are reading from the book, ‘How to succeed etc…’: ‘How to handle a disaster. Should you be the cause of a disaster, which is really disastrous, we suggest your best bet is to review the first chapter of the book How to apply for a job’! * * * * * * NJB - How do you distil all that a School really stands for? What wins a special place in the heart? A regular activity or a fleeting moment? A particular sense of belonging or a specific achievement? Public recognition, or simply knowing deep down that something you’ve contributed behind the scenes and maybe no one knows about has made a difference to someone?
Inspection reports can only deal with a part of it. You have to live it to know it. Put simply, the best moments here are captured in a single word: ‘Unforgettable.’ AMP - Jasmine Andrews, our school photographer, specialises in capturing so many of these magical moments in her wonderful photographs. Anderley Wade, our graphic designer, makes them sing, on our website and in our advertising. And Gillian David, Marketing coordinator, has drawn all the threads together in our new branding and adverts. You will have seen one on the front lawn today as you drove in which will be used to promote us at the World Lacrosse tournament later this month and although it is not obvious features Arie Pearson. We hope you like the concept. NJB - No doubt, this afternoon mobiles will be out snapping away and capturing activities throughout the afternoon. Please visit the exhibitions and then choose your favourite area for the 2pm sessions.
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AMP - As afternoon becomes evening, ‘selfies’ of friends for life will be snapped at the Leavers’ Ball. Cherish these ‘unforgettable’ moments: ‘the time of your lives’. We most certainly do. ‘Let us go on…’ ST CATHERINE’S 2017
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