LEAVING STAFF SUMMER 2018

Jack McMillan (Teacher of Maths) who joined in September 2017. Colleagues say what a tremendous zest for life and infectious sense of fun he brought to the Maths Office. He made the girls smile, as well as think, and his patience when helping anyone who was struggling is legendary. He was a wonderfully caring and energetic ambassador for LGBT+ Society, organising many exciting and thought-provoking meetings and events. Jack moves to Manchester and a post at Manchester Grammar School.

Martyn Lawley (Teacher of Maths) who joined in September 2016. Martyn has been an extraordinarily accomplished teacher who has shown a real interest in the actual craft of teaching, taking up the chance to conduct guided lesson observations whenever he could and showed a particular passion for watching – and even enthusiastically participating in – Latin lessons. He moves to Derbyshire to take up a post at Repton School.

Nadege Bourguilleau (Teacher of French) who joined in September 2015. Everyone in the school is in awe of her seemingly endless array of dazzling shoes, clothes and earrings – her outfits, along with her sense of fun, light up a room. One of the girls in her form said that every time she looked at Miss Bourguilleau she instantly felt happy! She turned even reluctant students of French into being passionate about the subject and her dedication to her role as a form tutor was exceptional. She leaves to take up the post of Teacher of French at St Mary’s School, Ascot.

Megan Murray-Pepper (Teacher of English) who joined in September 2013. In Megan’s final assembly to Year 12, she encouraged the girls to think about their many roles both in, and outside, school – their ‘many selves’, as she put it. In that assembly, Megan managed to pick on the very quality that made her stand out over the past five years – the many roles which she has played and which have enriched the life of our community. She was an inspirational teacher – one colleague who had recently watched a Year 12 lesson said that she had never seen a group of students quite so captivated by what they were being taught. She shared her love of debating and feminism with the girls, sensitively promoted physical and mental wellbeing and gave a series of imaginative, original and wide-ranging assemblies. She leaves to make a new life away from the bustle of London and to pursue some of her many interests.

Maria Briggs (Teacher of Biology) who joined in September 2013. Her colleagues talk in awe about her extensive knowledge of her subject, gleaned through her avid watching of every wildlife documentary going and joyfully discussed in the departmental office. Maria was a wonderful teacher and tutor with a particular interest in PSHE in the Middle School where she made an invaluable contribution. She leaves to take up the post of Head of Science at Berkhamsted Prep.

Lucy Cooper (Director of Sport) who joined in September 2011. Lucy was, quite simply, a brilliant teacher who guided her department with immense skill and imagination. Her prowess as an outstanding organiser was evident in the way in which she developed Sports Day into a huge and wonderfully colourful celebration of athletics for both staff and girls, with every event organised with almost military precision. However busy things may become, she was unfailingly positive and calm, with her clipboard tucked firmly under her arm. She was a superb tutor, and the girls in her care have benefitted from her high expectations of them – but such expectations are always balanced with immense kindness. She leaves to take up the post of Director of Sport at the Royal Masonic School for Girls.

Fred Hitchcock (Assistant Head (Extra Curricular) and Teacher of Classics) who joined in September 2008. It is hard to know where to begin when it comes to listing Fred’s starry qualities in his various roles in the School. He was a wonderful teacher of Classics, taking immense care over every aspect of his teaching. Yet, Fred always balanced his undoubted academic rigour with a passionate belief in the vital importance of life outside the classroom; he oversaw Canonaid, and led trips to Italy, Greece, Zambia. Under his care, every aspect of extra-curricular life has flourished; he established the House system and, as one former Head of House commented, he always managed

to make each House believe that he secretly supported them. We shall miss him enormously – for his Classically-themed ties, his horror of nouns being turned into verbs – ‘to work shop’ made him wince - and his dazzling array of Christmas sweaters worn without the merest hint of irony. Above all, we shall miss him simply as a wonderful colleague and friend. He leaves to take up the post as Deputy Head (Co-Curricular) at St Paul’s Girls’ School.

Margaret Wheatley (Head of Geography) who joined in October 1979. It is no small coincidence that the Geography Department boasted two members who not only worked alongside Margaret but who were taught by her; the very fact that these two former pupils were so keen to come back to their old school and join the department speaks volumes about what an impact she had on generations of students. Colleagues past and present speak in awe of her incredible planning of courses and individual lessons – files upon file of immaculate notes and diagrams are testament to her years of experience and her deep love of her subject. All of her brilliant resources are shared generously with her friends in the department, and she has also regularly led exciting and wide-ranging programmes for the PTI which reflect her mastery of her subject. She was an outstanding tutor, who always enjoyed a wonderfully warm relationship with her form, going above and beyond what is required pastorally to make each girl feel supported and cared for. Margaret was always more than a colleague to the people who work alongside her, both in the department and also in the wider school community; she was a loyal, supportive and infinitely kind friend, with a wicked - and often deeply irreverent - sense of humour. Margaret has many exciting plans for the future – a Master’s degree and the fulfilment of a long-term dream – to buy a house in France. She leaves with our very best wishes and our deepest gratitude.

RETIREES

Laurie Winston

Laurie joined the Maths Department in 2006 and how grateful we are to him for over a decade of wonderful teaching and warm friendship. He is, quite simply, the dream colleague – utterly trustworthy, full of wise advice and happy to hand on, especially to younger members of staff, his own vast array of experience. Laurie knows about - and loves - every aspect of Maths, and is never happier than when delving into all kinds of intellectual puzzles and problems. His various Lectures have been a real highlight of the year with intriguing titles such as ‘The Secret Santa’ problem or ‘When do I stop? Mathematical musings on marriage, hiring staff, selling cars, etc.’ Laurie’s prowess as a splendid communicator of conveying even the most complex mathematical concepts in vivid and engaging ways made it no surprise that he was asked to fly to Dubai to present his talk on ‘Powerful Maths using small numbers’ as a way of illustrating perfectly the whole ethos of an NLCS education to prospective parents and financial sponsors in the U.A.E.

Yet Laurie’s contribution to the school goes far beyond the teaching of Maths; he has been an exceptionally caring and patient form tutor whose concern for every girl in his class, his compassion and sheer common sense in dealing with a whole range of pastoral issues - and his rigorous checking of the end of year reports - has gladdened many a Section Head’s heart. He has been a meticulous Treasurer for the Staff Room, juggling figures with consummate ease and setting up numerous staff parties without ever appearing to flap or lose his cool. And, of course, there is chess – which he loves almost as much as Maths (and cricket). He has devoted seemingly limitless time, energy and affection to supporting chess within NLCS and far beyond, arranging matches and tournaments for students of every age with consummate skill, accompanying school teams to far-flung places and, in his own very quiet, but determined way, firmly encouraging the girls to have belief in their own abilities.

We shall miss Laurie hugely and we wish him a long and happy retirement in Yorkshire.