Fond farewells for Helen Hepworth and Nathan Ducker

Helen Hepworth Nathan (far left) and Helen (second from right) at the Governor's School STEM Awards

Nathan Ducker

At Penrhos, we are honoured to have amongst us some long-standing members of staff who have been part of the College for many years — even decades. In this issue of The Penrhosian, we would particularly like to celebrate two such members of staff from our Junior School.

We fondly recognise that, after 26 years of outstanding care and dedication in the Junior School, Helen Hepworth will conclude her time at Penrhos at the end of 2020. From Junior School teacher to Deputy Head of Junior School, and as a valued member of the College Leadership Team, Helen is a highly regarded educator, who has been instrumental in shaping the warm and positive culture in our Junior School community— her kind and caring nature has helped support thousands of young girls and their families A Junior School as they embark student's drawing on their Penrhos of Helen learning journey.

Helen was an integral part of the team that led our Junior School to work with Global Digital Citizen Foundation founder, Lee Watanabe Crockett. Helen presented at several national and state conferences in this context and hosted many delegates from around the world to celebrate and observe the excellence in practice that resulted from this leading-edge collaboration from 2017 to 2019.

Helen is a dedicated and passionate educator, who is well known for always going above and beyond to make sure our Junior School students receive the best possible education across the areas of mind, heart, body and spirit, in pursuit of their all-round personal best.

“I have regularly observed her interactions with the little ones in the ELC — they all vie for her attention, as she listens intently to their stories, interests and passions.” Debbie Scott, Learning Enhancement Teacher.

“Helen was my mentor in the mid-nineties when I arrived to teach Year 5… at the time, the laptop program had just begun. We opened the folding doors between our classes and engaged in a multitude of integrated, educational adventures over the years.” Sass Gray, former Year 5 teacher.

“Rita Pierson, an American educator said, ‘Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.’ I think this sums up Helen, her love for what she does and for the students in her care.” Rob Taylor, Acting Principal.

We also bid a fond farewell to Nathan Ducker, who has been a driving force in the integration of technology in the classroom and throughout the College. In Nathan's 19 years at Penrhos College, he has travelled with students to Space Camp in the US, developed rich STEM programs with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability, been innovative in his approach and advocated for studentcentred learning (as illustrated in his accreditation as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert).

“Nathan is a dedicated, expert educator and his contribution to the Junior School is greatly appreciated. We wish Nathan well for his future endeavours.” Rob Taylor, Acting Principal.

“Nathan provided strong support for enquiry learning, future focused learning and student engagement, he is always most humble about his considerable talents and educational contributions.” Trish Somers, former Head of Junior School.