Welcoming New Teachers

Posted: 1st January 1970

It’s a new academic year which means we have said goodbye to some beloved teachers and said hello to new ones. We really hope they enjoy their time here at Burgess Hill Girls and that they settle in well to the Burgess Hill family.

 

We would like to introduce you to our new teachers! Please continue reading to learn a little bit about them.

 

New Senior School Teachers:

 

Mr David Black studied performance and composition at Berklee College in Boston, USA, having previously earned a degree in secondary music education and a Masters in performance and analysis. He has almost 20 years of experience in education and has been a Director of Music in several independent schools. He is proficient on 10 musical instruments and is a Fellow of Trinity College London. David has travelled the world as a performer and conductor and currently lives with his family on the Surrey/Sussex border.

 

Mrs Dionne Flatman studied Politics Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University and then completed her PGCE at The University of London’s Institute of Education. During her career she has been Head of Sixth Form at a large comprehensive school in London and an examiner for Edexcel. After 17 years at her previous school she is looking forward to sharing her passion for Economics with our sixth form students and putting her wider interests and skills to good use outside of the classroom. She loves the excitement of London where she was born but now after 20 years of living in Sussex she has learnt to relax by working on her allotment, swimming in the river or just getting lost in a good book.

 

Mrs Laura Goodyer studied Physiology at the University of Southampton, where she also completed her PGCE in Secondary Science (Biology). She is an experienced Biology and Science Teacher having taught at St John’s Leatherhead, Dean Close and Colston’s. Outside of her subject specialism, she has a keen interest in nature and conservation. Away from school, she enjoys personal fitness such as running and playing sport, particularly cricket, with her six year old sun.

 

Mrs Fiona McDermott is a Geography and Geology specialist. Having gained her BSc Hons, she completed a PGCE at Liverpool University. She worked in a variety of London schools before moving to Sussex. After taking time out of the classroom to raise a family, she returned to work at Ardingly College. She is a member of All Saints Church, Lindfield and enjoys practicing mindfulness.

 

Mrs Laura Marshall graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA Hons degree in English, with a year abroad at the University of Sussex. She edited university textbooks and children’s books in the US and UK before following her heart into teaching in 2001. In her spare time, she is a passionate reader and theatregoer and enjoys spending time with her family. She has a special interest in creative writing, having completed a certificate and writers’ workshops, and is currently writing her first novel.

 

Mr Andy Gillaspy studied Physics with Space and Planetary Science at Aberystwyth University followed by Manchester University where he researched Radio Astronomy and then PGCE Science. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a keen amateur astronomer. He is an accomplished miniature painter both military and fantasy and has produced articles for aspiring painters.

 

Mrs Alice Hubberd studied at the University of Reading followed by a PGCE in Education at the University of Greenwich. She has worked for many years in a Sixth Form College, and is a specialist in pastoral care and guidance. She has keen interest in keeping fit, playing racket sports and is a regular participant in local Parkruns. To relax she enjoys cooking, reading and drawing.

 

New Junior School Teachers: 

 

Miss Lucy Warner studied Education at Westminster College Oxford and is a French specialist. She comes to us from St Christopher’s Prep School Hove but has previously taught at Burgess Hill Girls and Prep schools in London. She enjoys outdoor pursuits as well as long walks with her young son and dog.

 

Miss Alice Morgan studied at St Edward’s School Oxford followed by Primary Education at Brighton University. She is a computing specialist. She has a keen interest in drama and has sung in both chapel and chamber choirs, even conducting her own choir during her upper sixth year at school. She also plays the piano, bass guitar and ukulele. To relax she plays chess.

 

Miss Ruth Dewar studied Classical Civilisation, Art History and English Literature at Hertfordshire University and is an English specialist. She comes to us from Brighton & Hove High Prep School. She used to play rugby and remains a keen rugby fan. She also enjoys art and uses her artistic talent to bake and decorate wedding cakes in her spare time.

 

Miss Greer Williams studied Primary Education at Winchester University and is a modern foreign languages specialist. She comes to us from Steyning Primary School. She is a very active person and keen on dance and drama. She also holds a skiing instructor qualification.

 

Mrs Bridgett Bennet studied Music at Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge and is a music specialist. She is an accomplished pianist and violinist. She also enjoys playing the ukulele. She comes to us from several schools where she has been an established supply teacher. She is a keen runner regularly taking part in Saturday 5K Parkruns. She sings with the renowned Brighton Goes Gospel Choir. She also speaks Japanese.

 

New Nursery Staff:

 

Miss Ellie Coad is a former pupil of Burgess Hill Girls and went on to study at the Oxford International College of Beauty. After qualifying she had a successful 3 year career in Spa Therapy as a Senior treatment trainer, where she discovered she particularly enjoy the aspect of interaction and communication with clients and team members. She has now decided to further develop this interest by combining it with her love of children, by joining the nursery team as an assistant, while she studies her Level 3 Childcare qualification. She is very much looking forward to her new career in child development. Away from work and studying Ellie loves going to the gym and participating in bootcamp classes with her friends.