Despite the unprecedented circumstances of the past 12 months, here at St Cuthbert’s we have expanded our school family to welcome nine new NQTs.
Some of the new appointments include Jessica Carney, who joins the team as teacher of Science, Harry Bredbury, who joins as teacher of English and Victoria Gwyther, who joins as teacher of Maths. All three formally started their new roles in September 2020.
Liverpool John Moores graduate, Jessica said: "It has been a huge challenge adapting to teaching during the pandemic after getting my ITT year cut short in March I started the year feeling nervous about what was to come. However, teaching at St Cuthbert's has been a fantastic experience from the start.
"Staff within the whole school not just within our bubbles and departments are hugely supportive and go out of their way to help you out and encourage you.
"Mrs Twist has made every member of staff feel valued throughout and ensured the safety of not only students, but staff was put first whilst also ensuring we have the tools in place to deliver brilliant lessons both online and in school."
Speaking of her appointment, Victoria said: “As an NQT, I was very nervous to start this year. I was worried that we may not receive the same support that we would under 'normal' circumstances. However, every single member of staff I have come across has been warm, welcoming, and supportive in every way.
“Now that we are in another national lockdown, it is clear that I have managed to get a job in a school that puts its team’s welfare as just as high a priority as our young people’s, and for that I feel so lucky. We are not just a school, we are a community, with the education and well-being of our young people at its heart. The environment around school is almost indescribable.”
Edge Hill graduate, Harry, added: “As an NQT at St Cuthbert's, I could not have been made to feel more welcome. Throughout the hardships of the pandemic, I have been supported by my colleagues who themselves have had to find new methods of teaching.
“My NQT mentor and the English department have been extremely active in offering practical advice on classroom management, planning and how to best support our students. It may not have been the start to my teaching career that I envisaged, but thanks to St Cuthbert’s I feel I have built solid foundations for my future and I look forward to working alongside a great network of teachers.”
Headteacher, Mrs Twist, said: "We appointed our nine NQTs in such extraordinary times and they have taken everything in their stride.
"It may not have been the start of their teaching career that they envisaged, but each and every one of them has stepped up to the mark in supporting our young people and their families in these difficult circumstances.
Their tireless hard work and efforts have never gone unnoticed. They have all fitted in quickly and become key members of our community, but more importantly that have become an important part of our St Cuthbert's family."