miken@duolink.com 12:36 (0 minutes ago) to Jon@Lemongrass

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!

Mrs Williams

When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?

I originally started working here in 2015, left for 2 years and came back and haven’t looked back since. Student Manager / DSP/ Duke of Edinburgh Lead.

What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?

I love the culture, diversity and inclusive sprit of our school community. St Marys has a real togetherness feel about it.

Have you always worked in schools?  Why did you decide to?

My first ever job was working within a Special needs school whilst studying my psychology degree. I have been working in education for 15 years now. I wanted to step in to support and shape the younger generation to prepare them for their further learning journey. My passion comes from not having this support available when I was in school and happy now to be able to provide this our students and school community.

Who is your role model? Why?

My Parents. They worked really hard to give me a great start to life and I appreciate the life I have now because of them both.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love spending quality time with my family and friends and I love reading, especially a horror book!

What one thing would you change about the world?

I would go back to basics with no social media. I would also love to stop racism and for everyone to come together as one.

Tina Papadopoullos

When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?

I am head of art and design and photography. I started working at St Mary’s in September 2017.

What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?

I love empowering my students with the tools to create art work they are proud of. I try to create a space where my students feel safe to be themselves and comfortable to express themselves through their art. I love that we are a diverse community of people who care about each other and respect one another.

Have you always worked in schools? Why did you decide to?

I went straight into teaching after leaving university in 2006. I worked at a camp in the USA straight after qualifying as a teacher and traveled the States for 6 months. I got my first job as an art teacher a few months later at Edmonton County school in Enfield. Teaching is all I ever wanted to do. My role models as a child were my secondary school teachers. I had huge respect for my art teachers and massively looked up to my A Level English teacher and form tutor. It was my English teachers who gave me the confidence and insight to explore the world of art and culture and literature. I have always been a fan of classical books by Emily Brontë, Hardy and Jane Austin.

Who is your role model? Why?

I have many role models at different times in my life, who I have turned for inspiration to guide me in my own life. Most of my role models are fiercely strong, independent, intelligent and loving women. My grandmother, mum and two sisters have always been my main role models. My grandmother was raised in an orphanage and looked after herself and her younger sibling. She came to England in the early 60s with nothing more than a small suitcase of clothing. She was illiterate and did not speak or understand English. She now has 8 grand children who have all attended university, 5 of who are teachers. She has 13 great grand children who all owe her their lives, it was due to her resilience and strength that we all live in England and continue to thrive. Frida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn and Maya Angelou are also women I look up to.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love cooking and watching football. I support Tottenham Hotspur and often attend the Lane at the weekend to watch them play. I love museums and galleries and travelling to different cities in my time off. New York and Florence are my favourite destinations. I love old libraries and reading. My favourite books are To Kill a Mocking Bird and Pride and Prejudice.

What one thing would you change about the world?

I would abolish guns and racism. There is no place for either in our world.

Niccole Wilson

When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?

On Halloween. My current role is an LSA but I will soon be working as a HLTA within the English Department.

What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?

I enjoy working with a range of different year groups. I see St Mary’s as a rough diamond which has the potential to be amazingly shiny and bright and sparkle amongst all of the other Secondary schools in the vicinity.

Have you always worked in schools?  Why did you decide to?

I have not always worked in schools but I have a rich history within the education setting. I have realized that working in education with children is a definite passion of mine.

Who is your role model? Why?

My dad is my role model as he has always worked hard and has achieved goals that have seemed very difficult to obtain.

Do you have any hobbies?

I used to enjoy running but the weather became too cold for me. I will commence my running sessions when the weather warms up.

What one thing would you change about the world?

Everyone rich or poor having similar opportunities to succeed in life.

Jennifer Brooksbank

When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?

I started working at St Mary’s in 2016.

What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?

St Mary’s is a wonderful community and place to work. Students are hardworking and staff supportive. Within my role I teach Geography at KS3,4 and 5. I also have whole school responsibility in leading the ECT (Early Career Teachers) framework and being a Lead Practitioner. This allows me to drive forward and sustain high levels of Teaching and Learning which is underpinned by informed and impactful pedagogy.

Have you always worked in schools?  Why did you decide to?

After completing my Geography and subsequent PGCE qualification I moved to London to become a teacher. I began my career in west London as a NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher). I then became a Head of Geography and Lead Practitioner/Coach before moving to St Marys in 2016.

My decision to become a teacher was influenced by my teachers at school, in particular my geography teacher. He had a passion for his discipline and job which was infectious. I have loved geography since a young age, pursuing it for my GCSE’s, A level’s and degree. When completing my academic qualifications, becoming a teacher allowed me to share this passion with others whilst still immersing myself in the subject.

Who is your role model? Why?

Role models I believe can vary, dependent upon life stages and experiences but are someone you wish to emulate. My mum is my main role model. She has always been exceptionally supportive of my career, raising myself and my siblings as a single mum for a long time.

I also look up to Malala Yousifazi, a human rights activist who advocates for educational access for females in particular. Despite her own experiences, she became the youngest Nobel Peace prize winner, of which I have full admiration for.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love spending quality time travelling and reading, this allows me to sustain a passion for geography.

What one thing would you change about the world?

I would change peoples lack of empathy. In a world which can be exceptionally unkind, unfair and unjust on many levels, I believe people need to foster compassion, care and understanding to eachother.

Cilean Blanchard

When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?

2019-Learning support assistant / change role 2021 – Inclusion coordinator.

What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?

Working with students individually and in small group (Social emotional literacy), liaising with parents and working with agencies.

Have you always worked in schools?  Why did you decide to?

No, Retail made the change due to family circumstance.

Who is your role model? Why?

My mum because she was selfless in every way, her career as a teacher, youth worker, mother, sister and friend.

Do you have any hobbies?

Listening to music, dancing, reading and visiting new places, learning about the history.

What one thing would you change about the world?

Reduce hunger.

Esperanza Iniesta

When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?

September 2017 – Spanish Lead and teacher

What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?

St Mary’s is a multicultural community with many languages that we value and celebrate. My role as a teacher is rewarding and challenging at the same time and I really enjoy seeing our students growing into lovely young adults.

Have you always worked in schools?  Why did you decide to?

I worked in the insurance and telecoms industries before becoming a teacher.

Who is your role model? Why?

Barack Obama, he maintained his original principles and beliefs as president. Also, he has a brilliant sense of humour.

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy baking and cooking, also going out for walks with my family.

What one thing would you change about the world?

Intolerance to others.

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.

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.

Diana Salgado

When did you start working at St Mary’s? What is your role?

I started working at St Mary’s in 2019 as an MFL Teacher.

What do you love about your role and about St Mary’s?

I love inspiring students and transmitting my passion for learning languages. I also love learning from my colleagues and students.

Have you always worked in schools?  Why did you decide to?

I have always worked with kids and young people. When I was in secondary school, I had the opportunity to help some of my classmates to reach their potential in maths and chemistry. I was passionate about that and I did it with dedication, patience and love. My teachers encouraged me to follow that path and it’s something I don’t regret.

Who is your role model? Why?

Jesus. He effectively teaches one-to-one. He knew how to address and teach different groups of people. Jesus used different leaning styles effectively, He was patient, provided opportunities to apply learned principles. He used examples from everyday life, helped others and the most important: He taught everything with passion and love.

Do you have any hobbies?

I love dancing, travelling and learning about other cultures

What one thing would you change about the world?

I think that change begins with the change of each person. So, I would change people’s hearts so that we would be more tolerant, humble and empathetic.