The Mack Moffat Cup

Every term, the Heads of School, in consulation with members of staff, choose a recipient for the Mack Moffat Cup. This is a trophy awarded to a pupil in the Middle or Senior Department who embodies the Beechwood Values, and who always gives their all to the School.

This term, Heads of School Millie and Aidan, presented the cup to William (4R). Congratulations William!

This term, we welcomed a number o new members of staff to Beechwood. As not every parent will have had a chance to meet them yet, a team of pupil interviewers embarked on a task to find out a little bit more about the newer members of our community....

Ms Harris, Head of Boarding and Head of Geography (and Rolo the Boarding House Dachshund)

What were you doing before you came to Beechwood?

Before coming at Beechwood I was living and working just down the road, in St Albans. I was Deputy Head Pastoral at St Albans High School for Girls.

What made you want to work here?

I came to visit Beechwood for the Future Schools Fair (representing STAHS) and I absolutely loved my evening! Everyone I met was very friendly and all the parents and teachers were so child-focused and left a very good impression on me. I drove away looking in my rear-view mirror feeling sad to leave. I remember hoping and hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that a job would come up that I could apply for. A few weeks later, Head of Boarding and Head of Geography was advertised and the rest, as they say, is history!

What were your first impressions of Beechwood?

I remember thinking that it was a very special community that felt just like a very big family. I remember being impressed by the way that everything was about doing what was right for the pupils, and that the children were considered as the individuals that they are. I think I knew that it was a very special place when I first visited.

What is your favourite part of the School and why?

My favourite part of the School is actually the grounds! I love being outside, anyway, and feel so lucky to have seen the woods and fields springing into life in the past few months. The daffodils make me smile as they always seem to be dancing. My second favourite place is the library; I can get lost in a good book and the Beechwood Park Library is so well stocked, it’s like a treasure trove!

What is your favourite school meal?

This is a hard question to answer as the food at Beechwood is so tasty. I think macaroni and cheese is a firm favourite for me as it’s just the right balance of cheesy and creamy - yum!

What has been your highlight of the last term?

This past term I have met so many people, learned so many new things and now feel very much at home and part of the community. I think that’s a highlight in itself but I’ve also really enjoyed all the little celebrations we’ve had like Pancake Day, the laser tag event we did in Boarding, the Easter celebrations around School and of course the Easter Egg Hunt in Boarding.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I’m a very keen swimmer, and swam for Hertfordshire in a Masters Level Gala in November last year. I have my Primary School Headmistress to thank for my love of swimming; when I was in Y6 she told my Mum and me that I was very strong in the pool and had good stamina so when we moved house, Mum enrolled me in swimming lessons! I’ve really enjoyed the odd weekend dip in the Beechwood Park swimming pool - I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to swim with the roof off in the summer time too.

Mrs Routledge, Head of Year 4

What were you doing before you came to Beechwood? I was a Year 4 teacher at St Martin’s School in Northwood.

What made you want to work here?

I wanted to work here because I love the child-centred approach to learning and I wanted to work in place with such a beautiful setting. I had also many wonderful things and I wanted to be part of that community.

What was your first impressions of Beechwood?

My first impressions of Beechwood Park was ‘Wow!’. Since I have started working here everyone made me feel extremely welcome.

What is your favourite part of the School and why?

Definitely Forest School! I have never worked in a school that has such an amazing area like that. I really enjoy going there with my class and we all learn loads of new and exciting things. I also really like the Library as it is such a wonderful large space with so many books, it is also so peaceful and has an amazing view!

What is your favourite school meal?

Mac n Cheese, it is delicious!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. My favourite colour is red and has been since I was a little girl, I am often wearing something red and am always carrying my red tea mug! My watch strap is also red and my car has red on it!

Watch Mrs Routledge’s class interview her HERE

Miss DOYLE , Year 3 Teacher

What were you doing before you came to Beechwood?

I was working as Head of Science at Buckingham Prep School in Pinner. And have taught all year groups from Year 1 – Year 6.

What made you want to work here?

Driving up the Beechwood drive was enough to convince me to work at Beechwood! The beautiful grounds paired with the wonderful and welcoming staff team helped me quickly realise that Beechwood was a special place to be.

What was your first impressions of Beechwood?

My first impressions of Beechwood were that it is a buzzing and busy place to be. Alongside the polite, intelligent pupils I soon noticed how many different opportunities there are; from Drama performances, to Cross Country events – there is never NOT an exciting event happening and it is so brilliant to see how enthusiastic everybody is about these.

What is your favourite part of the School and why?

This has to be my 3D classroom. Yes there are many beautiful areas, grounds and pockets of the chool but the 3D classroom is definitely where it’s happening!

What is your favourite school meal?

It is so hard to choose my favourite school lunch, Emily and the team certainly know how to deliver something special! The carbonara or the aranchi balls are firm favourites of mine. If you can’t tell, Italian food is definitely a love of mine.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I was a competitive gymnast for over 13 years, coached and competed with a national cheerleading team and love taking on physical challenges!