2013, Simon presided over a significant increase in the interest in Physics to become one of the largest Physics Departments in the country with over 100 boys regularly choosing to study the subject at AS. The popularity of Physics amongst boys is largely due to the number of exciting opportunities that Simon has personally introduced, including: a student Robotics Society (which reached the national quarter finals this year); Drone Society; Rocketry; and the International Young Physicist Tournament (with a team that will represent the UK in Russia later this year) to name but a few. Simon has also led on providing outreach to local schools both supporting teachers by providing regular CPD but also supporting A-level students from St Thomas the Apostle College. All of these achievements have been created from simple ingredients: a love and curiosity of Physics; a desire to impart that enthusiasm to start organising what has become her legacy – the CERN trip. She finished her PGCE in Christmas 2009 and taught as a NQT for one year before becoming a fully-fledged, excellent teacher. Ali’s contribution to Physics at Dulwich has been immense: she instigated the CERN trip that has run for five years and seen many boys visit the Large Hadron Collider; ran Particle Physics masterclasses with Queen Mary University and University College, London; ran the Muon project with QMUL for two years; held weekly further Physics sessions for four years where she challenged our brightest boys with questions on quantum physics and Feynmann diagrams; spoke at the Upper School Symposium on her own research at CERN and made marshmallow and spaghetti towers with the Infants’
boys; and a readiness to give up his free time to enable boys to realise their potential and understanding of this facilitating subject. Let it not be said that hard work alone makes a dull fellow: Simon achieved a 94 per cent approval rate from the Bureau of Doubtful Statistics, and received the coveted Form Tutor’s award for Unfunny Banter on a Monday Morning. Simon will be a great loss to Dulwich, indeed, we know how a number of other schools have sought to entice him to lead their Physics Departments in recent years! Promotion beckons for Simon now as he leaves us for Eltham College where he will be directing their Science department. Finally, in the words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, ‘Hope smiles on the threshold of the year to come’. Simon, Dulwich wishes you and your family all the happiness in the world as you take up your new appointment, and hopes so very much that you will stay in touch. school children (her knowledge knows no bounds!). The boys describe her as an amazing physicist who works so hard to help them; she has undoubtedly lifted the aspirations of our physicists and is a great loss to the department. It hasn’t just been fun in the lab though; Ali has made time to be a committed member of the Chamber Orchestra and support to the Common Room bar on a mostly take-out service. Her ability to make even the most tedious notes into a snazzy booklet is a real skill, and boys in all year groups have benefitted from these hallmark booklets. Her energy is inspirational – anyone who can run up the hill to DUCKS carrying a violin and a four- year old on their shoulders is incredible. Dulwich’s loss is clearly Alleyns’ gain, but we know she will continue to inspire the next generation of physicists.
Jon Fox SIMON WHITTAKER W illiam McFee declared that he had never seen a man who could do real work except under the stimulus of encouragement and enthusiasm and approval of the people for whom he is working. Insightful words which describe so clearly Simon Whittaker’s approach to teaching. Simon joined the Physics department in 2008, and quickly got to work taking over responsibilities for Oxbridge applications, the famous Physics Society (the oldest Society at the College) and helping to run the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze award. Promoted to Deputy Head of Scholarship in 2012, and then to Head of Physics in
ALI GALLONI
Rachel Mcilwaine
A li Galloni leaves Dulwich the Head of Physics at Alleyn’s School. Ali joined us in September 2009 as a fresh-faced PhD Physicist, Investment Banker, Management Consultant and all-round incredible young woman. Her energy was immediately apparent: never one to sit (or stand) still, she quickly got a name for herself as a dynamo. Although she wasn’t being paid, she managed to teach a full timetable and College and her role as Second in Charge of Physics to become
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