VALETE
top singers for summer engagements; and his caustic admonishment of hapless drivers exceeding the College speed limit at 7.50am, his customary time for coffee and banter in the staff kitchen. But above all it is Simon’s work in the classroom, his robust approach to sex education, his capacity to make language-learning fun, his capability as a Middle School tutor, which shapes his legacy. Admittedly, he has been known to hold court, to sing rude words to
Iva Chetwood <ÓãV}¶ more fitting attribute for a teacher at a school that aims to do precisely this? Lest this tribute read like a prelude to retirement, Simon would be at pains to correct that supposition: rather, he will be launching a third career as Throughout her time at the College, Iva has been a dedicated form tutor (primarily in the Middle School); nothing is too much trouble and she has devoted endless amounts of time to ensuring that her boys (and their parents) are happy and secure with their progress. Within the Chemistry Department, Iva has been meticulously organised, reliable and considerate. I have been extremely grateful to her for the many years in which she moderated the A-level assessed practicals – an onerous job, but one which she completed with characteristic diligence and good humour. She has been one of the first to volunteer to staff extra revision clinics – purely because it is in the best interests of the boys. Iva has also devoted a huge amount of time carols, or nip off to Glyndebourne on Thursdays, to find innuendo where none exists, but as department colleagues have concurred, what epitomises Simon is his generosity and an unfailing ability to skim above the mundane. What
estate manager, host and cultural guru at his property in the Aveyron (think Toulouse), developing its potential as a learning centre for languages and the performing arts. That aside, he will turn his hand to plums, nuts, radishes and other country produce, while giving the dogs the walks they always deserved. Modest, self-effacing, biddable: no, none of these epithets. Kind, talented, witty, lovable: yes, they’ll do.
I va joined the Chemistry Department in September 2003 and has been a highly valued member of the team ever since. Passionate about Chemistry and keen to share this enthusiasm with her pupils, she is able to establish an easy rapport with boys of all ages and abilities. Her chemical knowledge is first-rate, but she still always endeavoured to keep up to date with modern developments by attending numerous lectures and courses during the holidays. This allowed her to incorporate fascinating snippets of information into her lessons – going well beyond merely delivering the specification material. With her incredibly caring nature, her students’ welfare (both academic and pastoral) has always been of paramount importance to her.
to running Year 13 Support sessions (colloquially known as ‘botox’ sessions, as they allowed the boys to ‘smooth out their [chemical] wrinkles’). She has fully supported departmental initiatives (such as ChemSoc lunchtime activities and lectures) and contributed a wealth of ideas for inspiring a love of her Chemistry in the boys. As a Mentor for our annual PGCE students, Iva proved to be incredibly supportive and considerate, devoting a huge amount of time to provide constructive feedback and guidance. Keen to take on further responsibility, she was made Deputy General Studies Coordinator. This involved huge administrative skills in ensuring that all Upper School boys were assigned to suitable General and Liberal Studies courses. She carried
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