Find out a little bit more about the fantastic teaching and non-teaching staff at St Mary’s High.
Each month, we’ll be posting a couple more profiles, so check back regularly!
Nathan Casimir
When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?
I started at St Mary’s in January 2021 and I am an academic tutor
What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?
I love igniting a passion for Geography in the students and helping them better understand the world they live in. What I love about St Mary’s is that is a very caring environment in which students are encouraged to be ambitious and positive about their future.
Have you always worked in schools? Why did you decide to?
This is the first school I have worked in. Having left university in 2020 I thought it would be nice to teach the next generation about some of the problems that will impact them in their lives.
Who is your role model? Why?
My role model is Leonardo da Vinci as he found a marriage between art and science. We often think of them as separate but he noticed the value one could bring to the other, art encourages creativity and the proposal of new scientific theory sometimes requires creativity.
Do you have any hobbies?
In my spare time I enjoy playing the piano and watching Formula 1 on the weekends.
What one thing would you change about the world?
Our relentless pursuit of increased GDP
Anne Crawford
When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?
1999. Drama Teacher and form tutor all the way through from year 7 to year 11 with the same group.
What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?
I love teaching drama here and seeing the students grow and flourish in their confidence to collaborate with other children and to see their skill in performing increase. In my job I can easily build on positive relationships with the students in order to get the best out of them. The drama studios are a safe space and students in drama have fun but work hard. I am privileged to see their work grow and develop and when I see work of such a high standard where students put their heart and soul into their work, magic happens. Their confidence in being able to present their work in front of others is a joy, they put everything in to their work and I frequently feel privileged to see their amazing work.
Have you always worked in schools? Why did you decide to?
Mostly. My degree was in drama and Theatre and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at the end of the course, I thought teaching would be a good option in the meantime, and I’ve been a teacher ever since.
Who is your role model? Why?
My parents – They are no longer alive, but they were always hard-working and kind with a great sense of humour, attributes you need in teaching.
Do you have any hobbies?
Theatre, reading, walking my dog, nature, socialising
What one thing would you change about the world?
That we lived in a fairer world with a greater distribution of wealth
Wayne Smith
When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?
I started at St Mary’s in February 2011 and I am the ICT Manager
What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?
My role is challenging, rewarding and varies day by day. The facilities, staff and students are great.
Have you always worked in schools? Why did you decide to?
Previously I have worked in Local Government, Private Investment in London and the retail industry. I have always enjoyed showing and helping people to make their use of IT easier and more productive, so working in a school allows me to use this ability.
Who is your role model? Why?
I never really had a role model as such, but i have always used my parents as a standard to what a person should be.
Do you have any hobbies?
I enjoy motorsport, films, reading and cooking.
What one thing would you change about the world?
Equality, if everyone had the same then there would be no need for theft, poverty, hunger and homelessness everyone would work together in harmony to make the world a better place.
Caroline Grounds
When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?
I interviewed before lock down 2020 and started in full lock down! My role is the Director of Learning for English & MFL
What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?
I love that no day is ever the same! I never get tired of my subject and the students never fail to make me laugh – a lot!
Have you always worked in schools? Why did you decide to?
I used to work as a PA in Television and then a script editor. I had always wanted to be a teacher but got side tracked but eventually made the move
Who is your role model? Why?
I wish I could say someone exciting but my Grandmother was my role model. She told me I could do whatever I wanted to do in life as long as I did it with love and grace. She said walls were for knocking down and I should always challenge the things that make you angry.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love reading and going to the theatre (yes, very obvious for an English teacher!) and i also love cooking and photography.
What one thing would you change about the world?
There are lots of horrible things to change so I will go for something silly! I wish chocolate and cake had fewer calories than cucumbers and cabbage!
Kristine Johnson
When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?
I started working at St Mary’s at the beginning of January 2022 and I am the Aspire Business & Enterprise Academy Lead
What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?
As well as teaching business, enterprise and finance I am able to provide multiple additional opportunities to our students that are outside the academics of school so that they build their life skills and increase their employability. I love my role and working at St Mary’s as the openness to change and to be agile to deliver more for our students is an advanced foresight helping our students and our community.
Have you always worked in schools? Why did you decide to?
I have 20 years’ corporate career experience working in London for a variety of institutions specifically in HR, Payroll and Finance. In addition, I was also an associate lecturer for a university and chartered institute which is where my love for teaching started. Life changes presented me with an opportunity to make a change for what I wanted to do going forward so I trained for my QTS and PGCE.
Who is your role model? Why?
My grandmother is my role model. As a child who was evacuated during the war and living a full working life from a young age and then with a serving navy husband she has always demonstrated that hard work is worth it. At 92 years old she is still looking after herself and if we are honest all of us. A strong and influential woman.
Do you have any hobbies?
I have two pugs who are influential members of our family so they take up a lot of our time.
What one thing would you change about the world?
Improved social justice specifically where opportunities are made available to everyone.
Kerry Gaulton
When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?
September 2022, Careers Lead and Careers Adviser
What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?
Helping students to achieve their next steps and future goals
Have you always worked in schools? Why did you decide to?
I have always worked in education. I like the sense of fulfilment at being able to help students who are not sure what pathway they should take or the options open to them.
Who is your role model? Why?
Lots of sporting greats: Lewis Hamilton, Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill. They never give up and work hard to achieve what they do.
Do you have any hobbies?
I like to run and have completed 4 marathons.
What one thing would you change about the world?
An end to all wars and violence.
