Download the 2011-2012 Stopfordian (pdf) - Stockport Grammar ...

The Stopfordian 2011–2012
In Physics we have certainly felt the loss of Gill. Despite all of
her other achievements, her greatest will remain being an
outstanding and dedicated Physics teacher. She saw a few
changes in Physics, including our new Physics building, but
she was consistent, always working very hard and insisting on
high standards. Her subject knowledge is, quite simply,
phenomenal.
Throughout her career, Gill made time for her own hockey
commitments, playing weekly on her local team, and for her
wonderful family. She and her husband Rick have two grown
up sons, who are both now married, and a beautiful grandson,
Charlie.
Gill seems to fit an extraordinary amount into every day.
There is no doubt that she is now, as she has been for years,
at the top of her game.
I can’t help thinking that, following these 26 hectic years,
retirement may take some adjusting to for Gill, but I am sure
that, as with all that she does, with commitment and
thoroughness, she will manage it extremely well.
We will miss Gill very much and we wish her a long and
healthy retirement.
H. Fenton
LAURA SERVICE
Laura arrived from Buxton Community College in September
2003. Laura was a former pupil of the school and quickly
settled into her new role as a teacher here. During her nine
years at Stockport Grammar Laura was very busy. Laura was
a Middle School form tutor and helped to support many
pupils through the years. She ran Animal club with Dr
Metivier and was instrumental in bringing many interesting
animals into the department. She also was the organiser of
our annual Second Year trip to Chester Zoo. Laura was also
involved in the Grasmere walking trip and organising
extensive adventures abroad taking pupils to places such as
Namibia and Vietnam. Laura also worked as a mentor for
Manchester University supporting their students when they
came to do teaching placements at Stockport Grammar.
Many readers will not be aware that Laura also gave extensively
of her time to the local community where she worked at a
‘Special’ police officer for the Greater Manchester Police. Laura
has left us to work in an
International School in
Switzerland. There is no
truth in the rumour that
she has moved there as
they are the makers of
the finest chocolate in
the world. We would
like to take this
opportunity to wish
Laura the very best for
her exciting new career
abroad. We hope she
will still find time to
come and visit us in the
future.
P. Grant
MAGGIE WILSON
Maggie joined the History Department in January 2009 and
has worked with us part time two days a week since then. She
has been responsible for a large proportion of the Lower
School teaching, which is a terrific amount of work, especially
when marking exercise books for over 150 pupils every week
and writing all those reports. She is an experienced teacher,
who creates imaginative lessons, which are busy and
stimulating for a broad range of abilities. Whilst some of us
have been slow to adopt differentiated learning techniques,
Maggie has shown us how it is done. She makes group work
work. Children have clearly enjoyed Maggie’s lessons, as have
I. Her coursework has allowed children to fulfil their potential
and presentation and content has been some of the best I have
seen here. She really stimulates creativity. I thank Maggie as
well for all her help with the Battlefields trips and for running
the History Club on Thursdays. You might know that Maggie
is also a published author of History books which are used up
and down the country. Maggie has travelled in from Yorkshire
to work here, staying at
Kim’s house; she will
stay closer to home in
the future.
On behalf of the History
Department, I would
like to thank Maggie for
all her hard work and
input these past years
and would like to wish
her a happy retirement
of travelling, writing and
visiting the family. You
are always welcome
here.
S. J. Smith
126 People