Foundation Magazine 2021-2022 | Mount Kelly

STAFF VALETE
STAFF VALETE
(ACADEMIC STAFF AND MATRONS)
STAFF VALETE
DAISY DARSLEY
MATRON
(PREP)
Daisy started at Mount Kelly in
2019. She joined Tavy House as
a Residential Matron and quickly
became a very popular member
of the Prep Boarding House team
throwing herself into the busy
boarding house life. She was
known for her Boarders’ Pamper
Evening, her speedy hair plaiting
and many other fun activities with
the boarders.
Daisy was a very caring and
supportive Matron and always
made time for our youngest
boarders. She was full of youthful
energy, always fun to be around
and willing to try her hand at
anything.
We wish her all the best for the
future and new adventures.
CAITLIN DAWSON
ENGLISH AS AN
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
Caitlin came to Mount Kelly with
an impressive academic and
professional background. She
had been the Senior Teacher and
Curriculum Manager at the Globe
English Centre in Exeter and was
eminently well-qualified to take on
the part-time maternity cover in
the EAL (English as an Additional
Language) team. She spent nine
months here and in that time she
won the confidence and affection
of the overseas pupils at the
College. The EAL role involves a
great deal of administration and
contact with external bodies and
it was clear that Caitlin could
deal with this aspect of her job so
well and, it seemed, effortlessly.
Unsurprisingly, she has found a
full-time, permanent position again
now.
BEN DONNELLY
SUBJECT LEAD
BIOLOGY
(COLLEGE)
Ben Donnelly made a tremendous
contribution to school life over
the last 20+ years. He has been
a dedicated teacher of Biology,
inspiring pupils to further their love
of his subject beyond A Levels and
even prompted one to pupil to
write to Sir David Attenborough to
acknowledge this. Ben loved the
practical side of Biology, gutting a
fish and opening up the gills and
exploring the eye ball, were all
done with sensitivity and care but
enthusiasm which engaged the
pupils too.
Not only has he taught and inspired
many academically, but he has
also been integral to the Outdoor
Education department of the
school. His boundless energy and
good humour saw him run DofE and
Ten Tors as well as organising ski
trips. Who else could ask a group
of pupils to locate the chickens on
the map or come up with a story
about mice using sawdust to find
their way home…
Pastorally, Ben ran Conway House,
a packed boarding house for Years
7-8 pupils. It is no exaggeration
to say that those pupils in his care
loved living there whilst he was
in charge. There was also much
laughter heard along the corridors
and his care of those pupils was
simply the best.
MARY DONNELLY
ENGLISH
(COLLEGE)
Once upon a time Mary arrived at
Mount Kelly to take up the reins of
running the English department.
Very quickly she set to work gelling
a team and changing texts and the
curriculum.
Not only did she gather a team and
energise them, she brought some
much needed fun to the pupils and
the department. LOTCs in fancy
dress and story-telling in fields in
Bere Alston; LOTCs to the Lizard
with some historical drama and
seaside creative writing; Year 10
LOTCS in Wales; not to mention the
joy of her Bake Off entry for World
Book Day and the now legendary
tales in Chapel.
Mary also got stuck in to the rugby
and Outdoor Education, giving
up hours of her time on trips and
expeditions, all for the benefit of
the pupils. Many of our pupils have
challenged themselves and gained
so much from her time spent on the
hills with them.
SACHA GRAY
BUSINESS &
ECONOMICS
(COLLEGE)
Sacha joined the department
during a time of change and
uncertainty. However, he
persevered and gradually
amassed a wealth of resources
for his pupils. During lockdown,
these resources proved
invaluable.
Beyond the classroom, Sacha
was a dedicated tutor in
Courtenay House. He also
enjoyed surfing regularly outside
of school.
BENEDICT
HAYDN-DAVIES
PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION
AND ETHICS
(COLLEGE)
Benedict’s arrival brought a fresh
perspective to the Religious
Studies subject, rebranding it
as Politics, Religion and Ethics,
affectionally known as PRE.
Benedict was known for his
thoughtful and reflective teaching
style and his pupils appreciated his
genuine care for them.
Outside the classroom, he was
always busy: helping with the
Market Garden project at the
Prep and as a tutor in Courtenay.
He also showed dedication as a
regular coach for the Devizes to
Westminster Squad, regardless of
the weather.
CONTINUED
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