VALETE
and I visited the Dragon School in Oxford to find out more about the highly successful Nurturing programme run by an organisation called Family Links. Two lovely ladies at the Dragon had implemented the programme there, creating a whole new ethos and feel within the school. We were both very impressed by the circle time sessions we saw, and in particular we admired the lovely safe haven, a separate room just off the playground where the children could drop in — or chill out — whenever they needed to. And when they did, one of the lovely ladies would be there to listen, to chat or just to give them space. We decided that the Junior School would benefit hugely from a similar approach, and the new Wellbeing programme was implemented under Adrienne’s enthusiastic leadership. From that point on, Adrienne worked tirelessly to promote and develop wellbeing. It grew and grew until it became an integral part not just of our provision, but central to the whole Junior School ethos. INSET was provided regularly on every aspect of the Nurturing programme, from the positive shared language to how to run a successful circle time. She won funding from the Friends for a friendship bench, and was instrumental in extending the buddy system for new boys. When Toby decided to introduce Junior School prefects in Year 6 she fought tirelessly to make sure their roles were helpful rather than hierarchical, always mindful of the fact that 10-year-olds are still, well, 10-year-olds. Never one to stand still, Adrienne undertook safeguarding training, contacted the PSHE Association to get up to speed with all current government initiatives and liaised with Sarah Griffiths on provision higher up the school. One of her lasting legacies to the Junior School will be the kindness tree. This was introduced a few years ago to celebrate acts of kindness and consideration in the Junior School. One of the high points of our Friday celebration Assembly is the moment the prefects read out the messages on the leaves, where boys thank each other for small acts of kindness. It is a proud moment when your leaf is pinned onto our newly created beautiful, permanent tree, courtesy of Year 12 DT students. I know that we will all remember Adrienne for her passion, her conviction and the fact that she had the courage to speak her own mind when she felt that something was not in the boys’ best interests. On a lighter note, many of us will miss her not just as a colleague but as a friend. Always ready to chat, always ready to listen, not just about work but about life, Adrienne has made a valuable contribution to the Junior School staff. Adrienne leaves us for well-deserved promotion as Deputy Head of The Hall in North London. Taking her considerable skills and expertise to this new post, Adrienne will, I know, create a kinder world for the boys there too. We wish her well in her new venture.
Adrienne Cooper A drienne joined the Junior School as a full-time member of the teaching staff in 2010, having previously dipped her toe in the water providing much-needed supply for several years. Much of her time in those previous years was taken up with running the Orchard with John, and looking after her then very small son, Noah. John and Adrienne also spent a year in Perth on exchange, an experience which left them with a permanent love of the southern hemisphere. An experienced teacher, having previously worked as a Deputy Head in the state system in Brighton, Adrienne was a great addition to the Junior School community. From the start she threw herself into many areas of Junior School life, taking on responsibilities as they became available. She became Head of English and Head of Year 6, quickly making the roles her own. For several years Adrienne and I taught the majority of the Year 6 English. This was a great partnership, as we quickly found we were on the same page, in terms of methodology, ethos and objectives. I will miss Adrienne’s ability to find a fascinating new book to read with the boys, and the sharing of ideas on creative writing. As Head of Year 6 she was always there for the boys, involved in every aspect of their life at school. Whether making costumes for the play, organising Year 6 stalls on Founder’s Day, or taking them to PGL, she made sure that their memories of the Junior School would be happy ones. From the start, Adrienne was passionate about the boys’ happiness and wellbeing. She worried about the pressure some boys feel in Year 6 with an exam in January and Year 7 ahead. This interest in wellbeing quickly became her number one priority, and she was keen to take positive steps to improve the provision in the Junior School. In 2012, Adrienne Francesca Southern
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