Brentwoodian 2019

108 Miss Aherne made a significant contribution to Brentwood School and the Biology Department during her short time here. She brought a positive air and light-hearted humour to the Biology Department. Her enthusiasm and love for Biology was very evident to students and staff in all her lessons. She successfully ran Junior Biology Society, conducting numerous investigations and getting the students to think outside the box. She was extremely generous with her time running several support sessions during the week to ensure all of her students achieved to the best of their abilities. Miss Aherne was also involved in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with the Third Year students. She accompanied them on several practice and assessed expeditions always offering an encouraging and uplifting attitude. It goes without saying that she will be greatly missed amongst students and colleagues. We wish her well in her time back home in Ireland and on her future travels across the globe to Australia. Emily Aherne Miss Bixby started at Brentwood in 1995, covering a maternity leave, before spending four years teaching in Kenya. She returned to the school in 2000, and over the years, showed an incredible dedication to teaching. Not only did her artistic skills inspire and cultivate passion for her subject in Art, but she also taught History and Geography in her time here. Taking on the Head of Department role last year, Miss Bixby was able to again show her love for the School, supporting her department and her students and always encouraging them to be the best they could be. Miss Bixby was a highly valued member of the First Year team and brought her wealth of knowledge and experience to her tutoring. She always got to know each child in her tutor group as an individual and guided then wisely and compassionately as they grew into young adults. Unendingly kind and committed, Miss Bixby will be greatly missed. She is retiring to Somerset and we wish her well, sure in the knowledge that we will see her soon. Nancy Bixby Mrs Bentley brightened up our lives on her arrival at Brentwood in September 2015. She immersed herself in excellent and inspiring teaching throughout the School and her focus as Deputy IBDP Coordinator ensured her strong relationships with the Sixth Form pupils as a course mentor as well as a teacher. As a qualified diving instructor, it was only natural that she took up with the CCF Navy section and she enjoyed organising and supervising the dive trips abroad, as well as the more routine diving sessions each Friday evening. One of her most endearing qualities was her ability to laugh at herself and within the Biology Department we gave her plenty of opportunity to do that! Her presence on the field course each year was pivotal to the enjoyment and success of all the pupils and some great memories were shaped by her ‘can do’ approach. She goes from us with our great affection and I know she will be an asset to the lucky New Hall School. Rachael Bentley - Leaving Staff -