SJP6941

From the Headmaster….

Posted: 1st July 2019

Dear Parents,

As we near the end of what has been a challenging and exciting year, I would like to take the opportunity to mention colleagues who will be leaving us soon.  Our thanks to Mrs Ashton, Pre-Prep PE and Games, who leaves us after two years and to Naomi Grout who leaves our Accounts Department to take up a role in a local secondary school.  Mrs Slaven has decided to leave the wonders of the Year 1 classroom to do a number of things which include travelling with her husband and training her puppy to be a therapy dog! Mrs Julier leaves us after 6 years to take up a teaching role at Finborough.  

After 7 years, Mrs Deacon leaves us and will be teaching older pupils in a school in Ipswich from September.  Her development of the religious studies curriculum has transformed this aspect of learning at Holmwood.  Mr Guy’s passionate and committed approach to geography over 12 years has been legendary and we thank him for his sterling work in this area. Mr Smith joined Holmwood in 1998 and has been teaching history as well as games since then.  We thank him for his committed approach to his classes and teams over these 21 years. 

Mr Snell’s phased retirement sees him move from the classroom to the piano teaching room after 13 years of producing some wonderful concerts and productions but I think we may yet see him in the Jubilee Hall again!  

Science at Holmwood is a huge strength and we thank Mr Kershaw for his amazing work leading this hugely important subject in the school over 18 years. This year’s Space Week, one of many science weeks over the years, is testament to his powerful effect on children’s understanding of the world in which we live.  Mrs Wild has been teaching maths at Holmwood since 1994 and has been leading this area for many years.  Her development of the times tables challenge in recent years has really bolstered the children’s number skills.  Her role as a tutor has also been hugely valued by many pupils and parents over the years for which we thank her. 

Miss Penn leaves us after 25 years at Holmwood.  Her commitment to the Pre-Prep classes as well as her excellent PE and Games work is hugely valued.  Her final Pre-Prep Sports Day earlier this term was a wonderful event which showed her compassion for the children and her real love of sport for children at this young age. 

Mrs Taylor celebrated 30 years at Holmwood earlier this term.  As a classroom teacher and Head of Pre-Prep, her involvement in the development of the school has been immense and we are hugely grateful to her for her wonderful contribution.  As a member of the senior leadership team, Mrs Taylor has been a loyal and committed colleague for whom I have a great deal of respect.  In September, Mrs Taylor, I believe, will be somewhere off the Croatian coast! 

With best wishes

Alexander Mitchell 
Headmaster

Categories: Headmaster's Blog


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