Ratcliffian 2016 (LOWRES)

STAFF FAREWELLS
Mr Ben Plummer
Teaching Assistant Preparatory School
By Fr C Cann
We have greatly enjoyed
having Mr Ben Plummer as
our Year 6 teaching assistant
for the last two years. He
has been a great help to
both teachers and pupils
both in and out of class
and we have all valued
his calm and kind manner
in resolving matters. He
has been an excellent role
model for our older pupils
and we wish him every
blessing as he leaves us
to build up his own sports
massage business and focus on his running career. Good
luck Ben in fulfilling your dreams!
Ms Kashmira Singapuri
Student Support
By Mrs M Reeves
Kashmira started at Ratcliffe
when she was sub-contracted
from Students International in
September 2014. Her main
duty was to provide support
across the curriculum for an
EAL student. She then joined
the Ratcliffe staff in the same
role in September 2015.
This involved shadowing
him throughout the day
in all lessons and working
with him on a one-to-one
basis in his private study lessons in order to try to help him
gain a number of GCSEs. When the student was off school
(and after he completed his examinations) Kashmira was
quick to support the School by taking on cover lessons to
take the pressure off the teaching staff. This was very much
appreciated by all on the stand-by rota! To work so intensely
with one student takes a special person with key personal
qualities of patience and professionalism. Kashmira has
demonstrated both very clearly.
She also gave of her own time to support other EAL students
who needed that extra one-to-one support, showing
immense patience and determination at all times. We wish
her all the very best in the path she takes from here.
Mrs Sue Worsnop
Head of Year 7 & Teacher of Mathematics
By Mr G Higham
Sue joined Ratcliffe College 17 years ago as a Mathematics
teacher before combining her role with that of Head of Year
7 for 9 years. Throughout
this time, Sue has proven to
be an outstanding teacher,
as any student who has
taken public examinations
can testify. She has inspired
countless students of all
abilities and has encouraged
and equipped many to
overcome difficulties at
Key Stage 3, GCSE and ‘A’
level. Sue’s commitment to
the welfare of the students
has been exemplary and
has never waned. We shall
miss her company, expertise and wisdom greatly, especially
at departmental meetings. Sue’s perceptive and insightful
comments, her willingness to deal with issues on a practical
level, her sense of humour, hard work and contributions to
the common goal and, most of all, her voice of reason will be
sadly missed and very difficult to replace.
Mr Alex Watts
Teaching Assistant & Learning Support Department
By Mrs J Cluley
Mr Watts joined Ratcliffe College on voluntary work experience
in the Mathematics Department in the autumn term 2015, in
preparation for his PGCE course, starting in September 2016.
He immediately established himself as an enthusiastic and
hardworking member of the team, with an excellent rapport
with both students and staff. Mr Watts was subsequently
offered the temporary position of Teaching Assistant within the
Learning Support Department in January 2016.
Despite his short time here, Mr Watts has been an invaluable
member of staff, supporting students in a range of classes
from Year 7 Mathematics to Year 11 GCSE English. He
established a highly professional relationship with staff
and students alike. In addition, he provided essential
administrative support for the Learning Support Department.
We have no doubt at all that Mr Watts will make an excellent
teacher of Mathematics and prove to be a valuable asset to
the school lucky enough to employ him.
Graduate and Language Assistants
Each year, we employ several young members of staff for one or sometimes two years. In addition to
their work in departments, our Graduate Assistants and Language Assistants have again provided
invaluable assistance in the Boarding Community this year: leading activities, accompanying trips,
assisting around the Boarding Houses and proving to be very popular with students and staff alike.
Mr G J Sharpe
Miss Laura Ferstl
German Language Assistant
By Mrs S Cushing
Miss Laura Ferstl joined the
Modern Languages Department
last year as our German
Assistant. She worked with
students from Years 7-13,
helping them to develop
their fluency in German and
preparing them for important oral examinations at GCSE
and ‘A’ level. Working with individuals and pairs, she steadily
improved the students’ confidence in oral work and enhanced
their background knowledge and cultural awareness of
Germany. Whether teaching children in the Prep School or the
Sixth Form, or helping out on Open Mornings or with displays,
Miss Ferstl has been a reliable, trustworthy colleague, patient
with and supportive of the students. She has produced some
excellent revision materials for the Year 12 and 13 students,
which will continue to provide support for those preparing for
external oral examinations in the future. Laura has also been a
very popular and effective member of the Boarding Staff team,
accompanying boarders on trips out of school and providing
valuable administrative support in the Girls’ House.
We are very grateful to Miss Ferstl for her invaluable input
into the department, both in and out of the classroom,
and wish her well as she returns to her native Bavaria to
complete her teacher training.
Mr Stephen Hunter
Graduate Sports Assistant
By Mr P Gilchrist
Mr Stephen Hunter has had a big
impact on both the girls’ and boys’
hockey teams this year. Having
taken charge of the U13 girls’ team,
Stephen then assisted Mr Willcock
with the 1st XI boys, helping them
change their style of play, which we
hope will benefit everyone in the
future. Later on, he then helped Mr Taylor to prepare the
U13 boys for their National Hockey finals. We wish Stephen
well in his new hockey role in Loughborough, and hope to
see him play in the Hockey Premier League next year.
Mr Anthony Suplice
French Language Assistant
By Mrs S Cushing
M. Anthony Suplice originally came to Ratcliffe for one year
in August 2014 and liked it so much he stayed for two! He
has been an extremely popular French assistant and will be
remembered, not just for his intellectual discussions with the
Sixth Form students, and his humour and perseverance with
the younger years, but also his impressive gift for de-cluttering
and re-organising. The department’s immaculate displays
and neat shelves are the work of M. Suplice, reflecting his
intolerance of anything slightly less than perfect!
In addition to his practical
help in the department
on a day to day basis, M.
Suplice has also been a
great support on several
foreign language trips
and visits, including to
Montpellier, Nice and the
Opal Coast. His carefully
prepared survival guides
for the Years 12 and 13
students are testament to
the genuine interest he
has taken in the progress
of his students and would
not look out of place in Waterstone’s. They will serve future
students well as they prepare for public examinations.
Anthony has been an equally strong support for staff and
students in the Boarding Community. Several boarders owe
Anthony a debt of gratitude for the time and support he has
freely given to them during times of stress.
We wish him all the very best as he heads towards the
sunshine in Nice, to take up a teaching post.
STAFF FAREWELLS
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