ONCE again, July has rolled around with incredible swiftness and, although we’re all eagerly looking forward to our break, this time of year is always tinged with sadness as we say farewell to some of our colleagues.

Mr Barth, the popular head of business studies, joined Wolverley High School in 2003 as a PGCE student teacher. He impressed the head teacher so much, he was employed that September as a fully qualified business studies teacher. Mr Barth has acted as master of ceremonies at many school events – usually as his alter-ego Captain Jack and wrestler Chris Cage! He will be joining Holy Trinity High School in Kidderminster as International Baccalaureate Coordinator as well as leading the business and ICT departments.

The humanities and PSRE teams will be losing Mr Connolly, who has contributed hugely to both teams in terms of developing teaching and learning and organising educational trips. Mr Connolly did a fantastic job covering the duties of two teachers who were on maternity leave; one of these being G&T coordinator and the other assistant subject leader in humanities. Mr Connolly will be joining Kingsley College in Redditch as head of history.

Ms Wray joined our school as assistant curriculum team leader of the arts in 2007. She also successfully led the drama department and has made contributions to the development of teaching and learning across the whole school in her role as advanced skills teacher. Ms Wray is taking up the post of director of drama at St Martin’s School, Solihull.

For the past five years, Ms Knill has worked tirelessly to develop a successful MFL department. She introduced the teaching of Spanish and has achieved excellent exam results during her time here. Ms Knill started as assistant curriculum team leader but her title was changed to head of MFL after the re-modelling of curriculum teams. She is now moving onto Lord Silkin School in Telford where, drawing on her extensive experience, she will be responsible for introducing Spanish as a new subject.

Ms Badham joined the English department as a newly qualified teacher in 2007, when we changed from a high school to a secondary school. She quickly established herself as a respected and effective member of the department who is popular with both staff and students. Ms Badham is leaving Wolverley to take up a new role as second in department at Waseley Hills Secondary School.

Ms Attley and Ms Henderson both joined WCESS as teaching assistants in November 2011. In that short space of time they have made a huge difference to the TA team. Clearly inspired by their time at Wolverley they are both leaving to take a PGCE course – Ms Attley in English and Ms Henderson in PE – with the aim of pursuing a career in teaching.

Another important member of staff to leave us is Peter Moore, our site manager, who is retiring. He has worked tirelessly for almost ten years to ensure the building and the grounds are maintained in tip-top order.

We would also like to extend a warm welcome to the following staff who will join us in September: Danielle Baker – head of MFL (starting in January); Alicia Brighton – teaching assistant; Robyn Corfield – teaching assistant; Maggie Davies – teaching assistant; Elaine Griffin – business manager (started in July 2012); Brea Herbert – head of business studies; Alicia Mobbs – teacher of English; Helen Mersh – teacher of MFL; Lesley North - teacher of ICT (temporary); Nichola Perks – teacher of MFL (temporary); Jonathan Round – teacher of drama; Chris Wilkes – assistant caretaker; Amy Winston, who will shortly become an advanced skills teacher in English.

  • Taken from Wolverley Whispers school magazine