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not only of the children but also of the staff, by instilling powerful conversations of reflection on their own pedagogy and ownership of their classrooms and learning spaces. Miranda has proven to be an immensely popular colleague in her time at the College, and a valued and deeply respected member of the Senior Management Team of the College: in a large and vibrant community, she has made real impact. She is a natural leader, not afraid of making difficult decisions, with the ability to bring those around her with her. She is a strategic thinker with a healthy respect for tradition but with an absolute view to the future. Miranda leaves a powerful legacy in the shape of new additions – Mandarin, Sandpiper and Puffin classes – having developed our admissions strategy for DUCKS and overseen a major building project in her four years with us. All this she has achieved alongside steering DUCKS skilfully through Covid. One colleague described her during the pandemic as ‘our rock of support, knowledge and guidance’. The pandemic certainly played to Miranda’s strengths, revealing her to remain calm under pressure and to think clearly. As one colleague noted, ‘Miranda has the ability to smile warmly and remain calm even if chaos surrounds her! The Titanic would not have sunk if she’d been the captain.’ The smile is indeed what many of us will remember; her good humour and seemingly never-ending energy in the face of challenge have been astonishing, often, it seemed, powered only by Emily’s barista skills and endless cups of coffee. An excellent teacher who has never lost the ability to explain ideas with patience and clarity, Miranda was always happy to lead by example. Perhaps the member of DUCKS who will miss Miranda most of all is Ned the Ted. Ned and Miranda’s double act became legendary during lockdown, when Miranda spent hours conversing with Ned during Zoom assemblies to DUCKS families: her expression when Ned talked to her was quite something! She brought him to life for us all, and we realised, even if she didn’t, that she had perhaps missed her natural calling as a CBeebies presenter. It has not been all work and no play, however: Miranda’s championing of Thursday chocolate raffles (or the dreaded Liquorice Allsorts), her appearances on World Book Day at Senior Management Meetings in full fancy dress, three cheers (and one for luck because we can …) and Friday bubbles for bubbles at the end of term have all added towards creating the warm, inclusive and happy community that DUCKS continues to be. Miranda leaves DUCKS a more reflective, forward- thinking, learning community. Her leadership and ideas have been instrumental in making DUCKS the great school that it is today. She will be missed enormously by both her colleagues and her learners. Felsted are undoubtedly lucky to have her at their helm.
Miranda Norris FIONA ANGEL
Miranda Norris takes her leave of Dulwich College and her leadership as Head of DUCKS to take on the Headship of Felsted Prep School. She leaves the legacy of a warm, academically focused and inclusive community that celebrates all that her wonderful staff and pupils achieve. It is not easy to improve an already successful school, but Miranda’s energy, enthusiasm, no-nonsense approach and charisma have built on the work of Nicky Black, the previous Head. She has cast her spell over all with whom she has worked here at the College; we are all better for her leadership over the last four years. Miranda arrived in SE21 via the extended Dulwich family, having previously taught at Dulwich College Suzhou and most recently Dulwich College Singapore, where she was Deputy Head of the Junior School. Her leadership as Head of DUCKS has been characterised by her ability to put pupils and their potential at the heart of all of her decision-making. She has worked with the extended team to devise challenging schemes of work and has encouraged a true focus on teaching and learning, whilst upholding the key importance of excellent pastoral care. DUCKS pupils have shifted from being seen as pupils to ‘learners’: a small but significant change that has empowered and given focus to the whole community, developing the skills
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