Gill Benest By Eleanor Walters
Luis Parés By Cameron Pyke
250 anniversary celebrations in 2020, when over 30 College pupils contributed to a complete performance of Beethoven’s piano sonatas in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. Perhaps most extraordinary has been the modest yet highly effective way in which Luis has overseen and developed our musical engagement with local primary and secondary schools, partnership work which matters profoundly to him. His work with Ms Larkum at Dulwich Wood Primary School has inspired a significant number of boys and girls to develop a love of music, and has left an abiding legacy which is precious to him. Luis is always willing to give of his time in order to help others to develop a love of music. This writer will always remember his generosity in preparing and playing through a Tchaikovsky song on the penultimate day of a long term. His courtesy, intellect and gentle humour have informed everything he has undertaken at the College, and these qualities, coupled with his profound musicianship, will be greatly missed. We wish him every success as he takes up the position of Director of Music at Forest School. ◎
Gill arrived at Dulwich in Septem- ber 2016 fresh from the island of Guernsey, where she had lived in a castle turret (school staff accommodation being of a slightly more fairy-tale quality over there). Having landed in the more urban heights of College Road, Gill be- gan her Dulwich career as a Year 1 class teacher at DUCKS. The DUCKS team have vivid memo-
training session by handing every participant a potato (I can assure you there was a clear learning outcome from this!) and, not least, by introducing Monty as our Learning Support dog. Gill is passionate about her subject and is a superbly clear communicator; her recent CPD session on dyslexia was a model of good teaching practice, herald- ed by colleagues as perfectly pitched, and leaving them wanting more! Gill has also pushed her own boundaries in numerous ways during her time at Dulwich, from teaching Senior School students, to accompanying Duke of Edinburgh trips, to trying her hand (or foot?) at skiing for the first time, with the Junior School. (She loved it, by the way!) Gill’s role has brought her into contact with a wide range of colleagues, and many of them have contributed their thoughts and memories to this article. It is a fitting tribute to Gill that there were a number of recurring themes: her calm, reflective and professional nature; her warm and supportive manner with colleagues, parents and pupils; her confidence and expertise in all things SEND. Above all, however, her colleagues respect and admire how she keeps the wellbeing of the learner at the centre of all her decision-making. She has been, and I am sure will continue to be, a tireless advocate for her pupils and their families, often in very difficult circumstances. We wish Gill the very best of luck as she moves, not back to a castle turret, but to a frankly lovely-sounding vil- lage in the countryside. Gill will continue her career as a SENCO. Her new colleagues will be genuinely fortunate to have the benefit of her expertise and determination, and her enthusiasm for getting the best out of every learner. ◎
September 2016 from Repton School, where he had been Deputy Director of Music, Luis has had a considerable impact on music-making at the College, and will be much missed by pupils and colleagues alike. Luis possesses the special gift of always being able to draw out the best from others. He has overseen an expan- sion of the Piano Department, with
ries of Gill teaching her interview lesson in character as a white-coated palaeontologist, producing a dinosaur egg to gasps of delight and amazement from the children. This would set the tone for Gill’s innovative, fun and multi- sensory approach to teaching throughout her time at the College. In addition to being a consummate classroom practitioner, Gill she was already an experienced SENCO and a fully qualified dyslexia specialist teacher and assessor when she joined the College. Given such a wealth of expertise, it was not surprising that Gill was soon appointed Head of Learning Support Transition, a role encompassing oversight of the College’s Learning Support provision from DUCKS, through the Junior School, and into the Lower School. She began working in this role in Septem- ber 2017. I feel very fortunate to have joined the College as Head of Learning Support in the Senior School at the same time, and to have worked closely with Gill, even sharing an office for part of the week. Her support, gen- erosity, enthusiasm and shared insight into the demands and complexities of our roles have been invaluable to me, as has her understanding that a cup of tea is nearly always appropriate. Gill has innovated with confidence throughout her time at the College, pushing boundaries to find new ways to provide support and to encourage change in mindsets and classrooms. She has raised the profile of neurodiver- sity in fun and unexpected ways, such as starting a staff
nearly 200 pupils now learning, with 11 piano teachers, and he has also collaborated with Lesley Larkum, the Head of Strings, to develop an annual chamber music programme which has included 20 ensembles playing repertoire by a wide range of composers. It should not be forgotten that this musical flowering has occurred in spite of the disruption caused by the pandemic: Luis’s ability to remain positive has been inspiring, helping to underpin the department’s post-Covid return to live performances, which we have all valued so much. Luis is remarkably versatile: he is a very well-respected Senior ABRSM examiner and has also successfully taught academic music in Years 9, 10 and 11. Whilst he wears his considerable abilities lightly, he is a highly gifted pia- nist, teacher and accompanist. He has played at assem- blies and during free learning weeks, performing works such as Prokofiev’s Seventh Sonata with great distinction, and in addition he has maintained a schedule of external performances, most recently performing Brahms’s First Piano Concerto. He has also adjudicated in national and international festivals and competitions. Luis has always looked beyond the College in promoting and sharing his love of music and performance: he led Dulwich tours to Belgium in 2023 and to Amsterdam in 2019, and he was an integral part of a successful tour to Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia in 2017, as well as a tour to Bremen in the same year. A particular highlight of his time with us was during the Beethoven
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