There are lots of new faces starting at Sutton Courtenay Primary School this September!  Firstly, I should introduce myself, Mrs Rachel Hornsey.  I am going to be the new Headteacher.  I have been working in education for 25 years now, so this year is my education Silver Jubilee!  Prior to relocating to Oxfordshire in 2005 with my then young family, I had spent my early career in Yorkshire schools.   As well as teaching, I have also worked as an educational consultant in Literacy and English, so I have experienced a wide variety of schools in some very contrasting communities – and have never failed to be inspired by the children, teachers and parents with whom I have worked.  During last term, I was able to spend some time at the school on visit days, and I have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome I have received both from the staff and children.  The ethos of the school really does show!  I have been spending quite a lot of time in the school over the summer, but schools always feel very strange without the noise and excitement of the children, and I can’t wait to get to know them and their parents better when term starts in a few weeks.

There are other new faces starting too, so we have lots of welcoming to do this term.  Mrs Barbara Kapswara will be starting as the Nursery teacher.  Mrs Helen Appleyard will also be working in the nursery with Barbara.  In Reception, Mrs Amy Howard is joining us as a teaching assistant.  Mrs Libby Holderness has a decided she likes us so much she has agreed to stay on this year, working as one of the teachers in Kestrels.  They are also joined by Miss Jess Roberts. In Nightingales, Mrs Sally Dubock will also be joining as a teacher.

This summer I have also been attending various meetings relating to the imminent building works here on site to provide us with two new classrooms.  This is a very exciting time to be joining Sutton Courtenay Primary School, as it grows and changes to reflect our growing community.