Foundation Magazine 2021-2022 | Mount Kelly

STAFF VALETE
STAFF VALETE
LEAH JESSOP
TEACHING ASSISTANT
(PRE-PREP)
JOEL KNIGHT
PERFORMANCE
SWIMMING COACH
CAITLIN MACKENZIE
KS2 TEACHER
(PREP)
SHAREN MASTERS
MATRON
(COLLEGE)
SUSAN ROBERTS-KEY
MATHEMATICS
(COLLEGE)
ANDREW WESTLAKE
DT TA
(COLLEGE)
Leah joined Mount Kelly in September
2018 and was such a wonderful
addition to the Pre-Prep team and we
consider ourselves very lucky to have
had such a kind, considerate and
hard-working member of staff.
The children adored her gentle but
firm approach, as did those working
with her. She was a real inspiration
for our Nursery children. She always
made learning fun and inviting for the
children.
Many adjectives could be used to
describe Leah’s contribution but here
are just a few: efficient, organised,
funny, conscientious and caring.
Although sorely missed, we wish
Leah all the luck in the world for her
future.
Summer 2022 saw the sad
departure of Joel Knight from
the Swimming coaching team.
After four years at Mount Kelly,
Joel moves on to pastures new
in Swansea to further his swim
coaching career.
During his time at Mount Kelly
he coached a broad range of
athletes and made an impact
on the swimming journey of so
many of our pupils and was an
integral part of the coaching
team which has helped propel
the programme to the dizzy
heights of the last few years.
Starting off coaching the younger
swimmers in the Prep squad and
latterly in charge of the sprint
performance squad, Joel will be
remembered and missed for his
energy and enthusiasm which
equalled and often bettered
that of the swimmers. We wish
Joel all the best in his next
coaching position and know that
swimmers, parents and coaches
alike will miss his energy on a
daily basis.
Kind, caring, superb, thoughtful, and
funny are just some of the words the
children used to describe Caitlin.
From her first day, ensuring she was
meeting each child’s needs, and
making her lessons fun and relevant
were paramount in Caitlin’s mind.
Caitlin formed strong relationships
with both the pupils in her care, and
their parents.
Alongside teaching Year 4, she was
also an excellent hockey coach,
and Drama teacher to Year 7. Her
contributions to the extra-curricular
programme were wonderful, and she
pioneered the Eco Club, which led to
the school receiving an eco-award.
Caitlin’s willingness and energy to
give everything a go shone through
in all that she did. Caitlin’s new role at
Clifton College in Bristol brings new
and exciting challenges for her. In
her one year at Mount Kelly, Caitlin
made a big impact, and she is much
missed in the common room.
Sharen Masters joined Mount Kelly
in September 2011 and was a much
loved Matron during her time with us.
Her support for the children in her
care was exceptional and everyone
whose path crossed hers came away
feeling her warmth and care. When
Sharen joined Mount Kelly, she was
assigned to School House as their
Matron, and took care of the boys
within the House. When School
House closed for refurbishment, the
boys were moved to Newton House
and Sharen went with them for a year
before returning to School House
when it re-opened but this time with
the girls. She stepped into the role
with ease and was very much at the
heart of the house and spent several
of her years there acting not only as
Matron but as resident tutor where
she was always keen to be involved.
Approachable, kind hearted and
confident, Sharen was a strong role
model to those she served.
Susan joined us in September
2014 and quickly became a highly
valued member of the Mathematics
team. Her obvious enjoyment
of the subject came across and
pupils thrived in her classroom.
Her high expectations led to her
pupils succeeding at all levels of
Mathematics. Her commitment to
bringing out the best in her pupils
meant she was in high demand
most lunchtimes.
Susan was a great pastoral support
in Courtenay for many years and
helped many a young man navigate
school, sport and extracurricular
demands. She was herself an
important honorary member of the
music department, always singing
in the choirs but most importantly
acting as the “sergeant-major” on
every trip and overseas tour.
Susan was involved in the CCF
long before joining Mount Kelly and
brought a wealth of experience
to the contingent. Her excellent
mathematics translated into exacting
and precise navigation skills, quickly
showing cadets around a chart. She
tacked various CCF trips with gusto,
from Snowdonia to the Damage
Repair at HMS Raleigh. After sitting
through the same presentation for
five years in a row she is also an
expert in the Royal Navy’s firefighting
equipment. Her experience and
enthusiasm will be missed within the
Navy section.
Andy Westlake joined us in December
2017 and left in October 2021. This
was Andy’s second time working
at Mount Kelly. He first joined Kelly
College in September 2005 until
July 2007, and at that time, helped
take the department through a total
refurbishment.
In his recent employment, he took an
active part in preparing materials for
pupils and in producing parts for the
school play. He particularly enjoyed
practical renovation projects,
including repairing various antique
school items, one of his notable
pieces, being the Prep School front
entrance porch glass light shade.
He also helped pupils renovate parts
of the sailing ship Olga in the wider,
afternoon extra curricular activities.
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