I joined St Mary’s in 2014 as a Sports Assistant, a job I loved because it played to my strengths, sports and pastoral care. I moved over to the boarding side in 2022 and now live on site as part of the team looking after the Upper Sixth.

The girls are a joy to be around and the Courtyard is like a hotel, so I come to work (all 20 seconds of my commute!) with a smile on my face. I manage to fit in some swimming teaching, which is so rewarding, and I lead a running group. It is really exciting that I am able to join the Duke of Edinburgh team on Gold, Silver and Bronze Award expeditions, which allows me that wonderful time to get to know the girls outside the school environment. I will be leading a team of girls when we visit India this summer on an adventure trip, as I did in Cambodia two years ago. The girls at St Mary’s are wonderfully involved in so many co-curricular activities, which I am lucky to witness on a daily basis. My colleagues are enthusiastic and positive people who can be relied on to help one another out, and this forms a strong, close-knit community in our beautiful school.

I joined Saint Mary’s in 2018. In my job I deal with all aspects of plumbing around the school, from hot water to heating, to drinkable water, to drains – basically any water-related issues.

As a maintenance team, we all get involved with all sorts of things beyond our skill set – sporting events, confirmation, the summer ball, exams, the Christmas carol set-up in London, and lots more. My role has changed quite a bit in the six years I’ve been here. It’s a big school to look after so it keeps me busy.

St Mary’s is a great place to work. I love my job, plumbing, I always have done – not so much when I get wet, or try to fit into a space my body just won’t fit into anymore – but as strange as it sounds, I do it now for the pupils. When I was their age, school wasn’t for me, or that’s what I thought, but now later in life, I look back and feel it was probably one of the best chapters in my life. I want to leave a positive mark, so that maybe the staff and pupils will look back and realise that school was also a great time in their lives. I know how much hard work goes on behind the scenes, so if each lesson, activity, event and performance has created those same fond memories for them, then I’ve done my job right. Saint Mary’s, the job, the people, it doesn’t feel like work, it feels more like a hobby, and who doesn’t like a hobby? The place, pupils, staff and the team I work with, it’s all a joy being a part of.

I joined St Mary’s in April 2023, having taught for many years in another independent school. I teach Biology to all year groups, which includes planning and supervising a wide range of practical activities such as lab experiments and field work, both on and off the school site. I’m also a Sixth Form tutor in one of the Houses, so I also assist with House activities.

Beyond these core duties, I am a qualified D of E assessor, so I usually accompany two of the school’s expeditions every year. Last year I organised the Year 9 trip to Geneva and am currently planning a similar trip for next summer. We also offer the CREST Awards, for pupils wanting to conduct their own research projects and I supervise their work and manage the application process.

Working at St Mary’s is rewarding because the pupils are extremely keen to learn and always engaged in lessons. They ask perceptive and wide-ranging questions. Being a Sixth Form tutor, I see the pupils develop their ideas about universities and assist them with their applications. Seeing them at the end of their time at St Mary’s and how they have improved their skills and ideas is particularly satisfying. I feel lucky that I can help them move onto the next stage in their lives.

I joined St Mary’s in 2022, having spent 27 years at a nearby prep school as Director of Sport and Head of Co-curricular. During this time I was also competing professionally. I represented Great Britain and England for 18 years as a pole vaulter. My biggest achievement was a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

Before taking on this role, I had already worked for seven years at St Mary’s in the evenings coaching athletics, so I knew the school well. I am lucky to have the responsibility of inspiring the girls to fulfil their sporting potential at St Mary’s. This involves developing the sports we offer, to reflect the ever-growing footprint of women’s sport. The journey we are on is exciting, and we enjoy modernising whilst maintaining many of the great traditions of St Mary’s sport.

Being an assistant tutor is also rewarding. It allows me to work with a small group of girls and be involved in the academic side of school life. It is important for the girls to see that the sports teachers have a vested interest in their academic wellbeing.

The most enjoyable moments in my role are seeing a pupil do something for the first time, like bowling a wicket, scoring a goal or learning to swim. These are special moments that I am lucky enough to witness, and they remind me why I love to teach.

I came to St Mary’s in 1988 and have been Head of Classics since 2000. I teach Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Civilisation, and oversee the delivery of these subjects throughout the school.

I have enjoyed a variety of roles over the years, which I have found enriching and which I hope have enriched the pupils. I led the debating society in my very early days, set up the Classics Society, started up numerous Classics trips, delivered lectures, and served for 15 years as a public benefit Latin teacher at our local state comprehensive school. I have served on many committees such as the Curriculum Committee and the Teaching and Learning Committee; I have been a tutor for every year group, in more Houses than I can remember, starting with Rookwood, via Poyntz, passing through Wigmore twice, I think.

I love the camaraderie of my department – we are a happy team. I love being in the classroom and am as stimulated when starting a Year 7 class on their Latin journey as I am delivering an Oxbridge lesson. I have seen many changes in the school: there were many IBVM (CJ) nuns here when I first started, and there have been many building projects since. I feel very privileged to have worked alongside many inspirational colleagues. I have loved being part of the community, spending my working time in such lovely surroundings and starting each day in our beautiful chapel.

I’m in my second year at St Mary’s. As well as teaching Geography, I help with planning Schemes of Work, trips, co-curricular clubs and talks. I am also part of the Teacher Discussion Group which meets with the Headmistress to discuss ways in which we can work together to make positive change to the way the school operates. I like the fact that Danuta knows and talks to everyone, girls and staff. I know it’s not like this in all schools.

There are lots of things I love about St Mary’s: in my subject, obviously, we do a lot of trips, which I enjoy, but I also love watching the school productions (Alice, Romeo and Juliet, Matilda) and the amazing dance shows. I really appreciate how supportive my colleagues are, including all of those in catering, admin, residential and maintenance (especially maintenance – thanks for helping me with my car tyre and broken glasses!). And the girls are great.

I joined St Mary’s in 2024. My role involves planning and delivering engaging lessons for KS3 and KS4 pupils, serving as a Year 8 Tutor, and being a supportive figure to the girls both academically and pastorally. Beyond my main role, I have also contributed to the school’s co-curricular programme by forming and running a crochet club.

What I enjoy most about my job is the variety each day brings. The girls are highly engaged, actively participate in lessons, and genuinely care about their education. They also have diverse interests outside the classroom — ranging from singing and acting to crocheting and drawing — and love to share their talents. I truly value how the school provides opportunities for students to showcase and nurture their abilities through co-curricular activities, House competitions, and lunchtime concerts.