8 minute read
Staff Leavers and Joiners
Staff Leavers
Samantha Robinson
How long have you been working here?
I first arrived at the school in 2009 as a PGCE student. I had been a journalist and retrained as a teacher, and Mr Burkinshaw kindly acted as my NQT mentor, which was a terrific introduction into the English department. I had a PGS ‘break’ when I took up the post of Deputy Head of Sixth Form at Churcher’s College, but returned six years ago.
What are you going to miss most about PGS?
I think the short answer is a little bit of everything. We’ve all felt the challenges of the past year, but coming back to school, teaching lessons, seeing pupils and colleagues has been great. I think it’s reminded us all how lucky we are to have the school and not to take things for granted. I’m in an unusual position in that I get to go to work with my family – my husband and children – so no wonder that it feels so much like home to me! I’ll miss that, and I’ll miss my PGS family, too – all of the pupils I’ve taught and the colleagues I’ve worked with over the years.
What has been the biggest change you have seen since joining PGS?
The school has always been a fantastic place to learn, but times are changing and the curriculum we offer has really evolved to meet these changes. In my role as Head of Enrichment, I’ve enjoyed being at the centre of the new Sixth Form curriculum over the last few years, and it’s offered a new perspective on how we approach post-16 education. We’ve had the chance to do something really different and it’s been exciting. The Ivy House Award, Ignite, Community & Workplace and Extend are all really creative opportunities that offer pupils independent choice and encourage a fresh perspective on things. That’s a mindset that benefits us all.
What’s your next step?
I’ve been appointed as the National Lead of Sixth Forms for Academies Enterprise Trust, a Multi Academy Trust with a large infrastructure of academies across the country. It’s a strategic position that will drive sixth form provision across a large number of schools, with the aim of opening another sixth form or two each year. It’s a really exciting role that will build on the work I’ve done at PGS, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
Ainsley Rawlings
What’s your next step?
I am relocating my family to my home country - New Zealand. I will be the Head of Geography at Rongotai College, a boy’s school in Wellington. I’m really looking forward to going to live events and not having to wear a mask all the time (once I’ve done my 2 weeks, military enforced quarantine).
What has been your most embarrassing moment at PGS?
Turning up to a (remote) Geog Dept meeting with a face change app on - I was a Trump potato in the White House. Needless to say it set a trend and every meeting since has involved some form of dressing up.
How long have you been working here?
Only twelve months, but they have been the most varied and enjoyable twelve months, with two terms in lockdown!.
What has been the biggest change you have seen since joining PGS?
How adaptable everyone has become with remote learning and all the things COVID have made us change. Wearing masks in lesson! Talking to avatars all day have taken some getting used to (....turn your cameras on!).
What are you going to miss most about PGS?
The people! The staff, the pupils and the PGS family are amazing. How they have embraced new ideas and change. How they take a genuine interest in current events and looking out for each other. It is a special place that can make you want to come to work each day and this is exactly what I found at PGS.
What has been your favourite moment at PGS?
Finding my love of teaching and learning. My tutees, the pupils in my classes, the staff I have worked with and the CCF have all helped me find my enthusiasm for working in schools again.
How long have you been working here?
Seven years.
What are you going to miss most about PGS?
Hilsea cakes - especially the brownies.
What has been your favourite moment at PGS?
Dancing a Salsa with Mr Lister in the PGS Come Dancing event.
What has been your most embarrassing moment at PGS?
Ending an email to a senior manager with a ‘x’
What has been the biggest change you have seen since joining PGS?
The Hilsea netball courts, at long last. And my hair colour!
What’s your next step?
A move to Portugal.
Delia Curteis
How long have you been working here?
Just over six years.
What are you going to miss most about PGS?
My wonderful colleagues and pupils
What has been your favourite moment at PGS?
I think it has to be taking the pupils on John Muir outings and seeing them thriving in the woods
What has been the biggest change you have seen since joining PGS?
The transformation of the Learning Support Department in its lovely new premises.
What’s your next step?
I will be developing my private practice, providing tuition and assessment for those affected by dyslexia.
What has been the biggest change you have seen since joining PGS?
The use of iPads in the classroom, it has been an amazing source of Maths resources.
How long have you been working here?
Seven years.
What are you going to miss most about PGS?
All the lovely people! One of the best things about PGS is just stopping having a chat and a catch up on the quad.
What has been your favorite moment at PGS?
It’s very hard to pick one, but I have always really enjoyed taking the Senior Maths Challenge Team to their competitions. In my first year here, PGS won the regional round and qualified for the national finals, and that was very exciting!
What has been your most embarrassing moment at PGS?
When I asked Mrs Morgan why she called Mr Kirby ‘Dad’ I thought it was a nickname… I didn’t realise he was ACTUALLY her Dad!
What’s your next step?
Me and my family are moving to Wales, I will be teaching at Christ College Brecon, which is right on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, so I am sure we will all be getting involved in lots of outdoorsy activities.
Paul Bew
How long have you been working here?
Two years.
What are you going to miss most about PGS?
I will miss everyone in the sports department , their support , passion for their sports and good humour.
What has been your favourite moment at PGS?
So many really but seeing players enjoy their cricket and learn new skills and develop as people.
What’s your next step?
Assistant Director of Cricket at Epsom College.
New Staff
Yvonne Wiggins
Has there ever been a moment that made you question being a teacher?
I took a brief career break when we relocated to Portsmouth, and I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to go back into teaching or use this opportunity to try out something completely different. I am glad I stuck with teaching though, and I quickly realised that I like being in the classroom too much to change my career path.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I would like to be able to ‘beam’ myself to a different place in an instant, without having to go on a plane or train! I can be a bit of a travel disaster, so cutting out the travelling when going to places would be brilliant.that human and social contact is absolutely vital in a learning environment. I did not start anything new as such, but my four year old son and I have been baking a lot more than I usually would have!
What made you go into teaching?
I think we have a teacher gene running through our family. My mum is a teacher and so is my brother. I guess I really enjoy working with young people and I love the fact that no two days are ever the same. Schools and classrooms have an incredible energy about them and I love the creative and vibrant atmosphere here at PGS. Needless to say, I also married a teacher, so the gene will continue to run through the family!
What was your most embarrassing moment during your teaching career?
As a language teacher, you quickly learn not to be embarrassed by any of the crazy and funny things you do in the classroom on a daily basis, and not much phases me these days to be honest. Most things that some people perceive as ‘embarrassing’ just show that we are all human and that is a good thing, really.
What is the most daring thing you’ve ever done?
Moving to the UK from Germany, leaving all my friends and family behind. When I first came here for my year abroad when I was at university, I lived in Glasgow and felt very lonely for the first few weeks. I remember sitting in my room not daring to go outside, and also not knowing where to go or what to do really. I felt pretty sorry for myself for a while (this was before smartphones and WhatsApp!). Then I dared going out, joined in with some organised activities, stayed in the communal spaces for longer rather than hiding away in my room, and I met some really lovely people along the way, to some of whom I am still very close.
What are you looking forward to most at PGS?
I’m looking forward to spending time in a co-ed school, having spent most of my career in single sex schools. I have been impressed with how genuinely interesting, caring and polite PGS pupils are.
