Staff Testimonials

Subject taught:
Science

Responsibility:
Teacher of Science
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Joined Holy Cross:
January 2022

“I joined this wonderful school in 2022 as a science teacher, and it has been an incredible experience.

The students here are not only eager to learn but also caring and kind individuals who truly embody the values of the school. It’s a joy to come to work every day and see their enthusiasm for science.

Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. As a science teacher, I’ve gained valuable experience in developing lesson plans and creating engaging learning experiences for my students. I’ve also had the chance to collaborate with my colleagues on various projects and initiatives, which has broadened my perspectives and helped me develop as an educator.

Beyond my professional growth, I’ve also felt supported in my personal development at this school. The administration has provided resources for professional development, and my colleagues have offered guidance and mentorship as I navigate my role. I’ve been encouraged to bring my authentic self to work, and the inclusive and supportive culture of the school has allowed me to thrive both personally and professionally.

In summary, I feel fortunate to be part of this school community. It’s a privilege to work with such wonderful students and colleagues, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the success of the school for many years to come.”

Subject Taught:

Religious Education

Responsibility:

Teacher of RE

Joined Holy Cross:

September 2021

"I first walked through the red door as a Year 7 student in September 2009 and spent seven formative years here until Year 13.

Returning as a Teacher of Religious Education (Early Careers Teacher) in September 2021 was a full-circle moment for me. Being on the other side of the classroom now, I feel honoured to contribute to the same environment that nurtured my own growth and equipped me with a strong foundation and well-rounded education as a former student.

Pope Benedict once said, "The Church is alive, and she is young." The students at Holy Cross truly embody this sentiment; they are remarkable, living out the spirit and mission of the school in everything they do. Every day, they demonstrate the Gospel values of compassion, kindness and service to others. Whether through small acts of kindness or larger efforts to serve the community, Holy Cross students model the love and humility of Jesus in both word and deed. I am honoured to witness their growth as Christ-like leaders, rooted in the values of the Gospel.

The support I've received from both the RE department and my pastoral year team has truly enriched my work environment. My colleagues are always ready to collaborate, offer encouragement, and share their wealth of experience. In March 2024 our department received an 'Outstanding' rating for the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in Religious Education from the Catholic Schools Inspectorate, which is a testament to our commitment to the highest standards of teaching and learning.

During my time at Holy Cross I have grown significantly, both personally and professionally. Through my chaplaincy work, I had the privilege of accompanying students to Flame 2023, the largest Catholic youth gathering in England & Wales. I also founded the Holy Cross Altar Servers team, which has grown to over 20 servers across all key stages. As a mentor to underachieving Pupil Premium students in Year 11, I've been able to motivate and support pupils through one-to-one guidance. Additionally as a social media ambassador for the RE department, I've enhanced my communication and digital engagement skills by highlighting the department's successes.

As a Religious Education teacher, I am deeply committed to advancing the Church's educational mission, empowering young women to recognise the importance of their voices, and promoting interreligious understanding and respect. Working at The Holy Cross School has allowed me to bring vibrancy and meaning to my teaching, passing on my passion and committment for my subject. Our department consists of five dedicated RE teachers, and together, we take great joy and pride in developing religiously literate young people."

Subject taught:
English

Responsibility:
Head of Department

Joined Holy Cross:
September 2016

“When I started working at The Holy Cross school in September 2016 I was quickly welcomed into a community of outstanding practitioners and eager students.

After completing my NQT, I was keen to continue to develop my teaching by working with experienced teachers who could help me hone my skills. The Holy Cross is a supportive environment where you not only build strong relationships within your department but across the school as a whole, allowing you to benefit from expertise across the curriculum.

The students at The Holy Cross are enthusiastic and have a positive attitude to their learning, making them a pleasure to teach. Students are dedicated to achieving their best and are willing to work hard to attain fantastic results. Their mature and focused behaviour in the classroom means they progress and excel in every lesson; they are always willing to go the extra mile to achieve.
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What makes The Holy Cross special for me is that my colleagues will always help me where they can; the friendly and open environment encourages collaboration and provides the support to bring ideas into fruition. I feel inspired by the amazing work of my colleagues and have seized the opportunity to attend CPD sessions that disseminate their tremendous knowledge. The Holy Cross encourages staff to be their best and as a result, I recently enrolled on a Women in Leadership Course to develop my future aspirations. In addition, I have been invited on a sixth form trip working with disadvantaged children in Thailand next summer! The Holy Cross is an excellent school where I feel I can continue to develop my career in teaching in the long run.”

Subjects taught:
French and Spanish

Responsibility:
Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages

Joined Holy Cross:
​November 2015

“I began working at The Holy Cross School in November 2015 as a French and Spanish teacher on a one-year contract, covering a maternity leave.

My first impression of the school was amazing. From the interview process to my first day, the warmth and welcoming atmosphere created by everyone at the school captivated me. This led me to stay, and today, I am still a proud member of this wonderful community.

Being a language teacher is incredibly rewarding. Watching students develop a love for languages and gain the confidence to spontaneously greet me and have quick conversations in French or Spanish as they pass me around the school is astounding. It’s a true privilege to be part of this remarkable community. The Holy Cross School is a special place, and coming to work every day is a delight.

The students are a joy to teach. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn is inspiring. They are respectful, well-mannered, and come to class with a great attitude, ready to engage and participate fully. At the end of lessons, they even say thank you in the language they are learning — “Merci, madame” or “Gracias, señora” — before leaving.

I feel incredibly fortunate to work with fantastic colleagues. From the moment I set foot in the school, everyone I met has been supportive, always going out of their way to help me. In the language department, my colleagues are a true blessing, and we work exceptionally well together. The mutual support and genuine care within the department are outstanding. Every idea is welcome and valued, and together we work harmoniously for the benefit of our students.

Since starting at The Holy Cross School, I have grown tremendously, both personally and professionally. The school provides numerous professional development opportunities, and thanks to these, I’ve been able to refine my teaching practice and acquire essential skills. I feel confident and well-prepared to take on new challenges and responsibilities. This has led to my current roles as Second in Charge in the language department, KS3 coordinator, and responsible for the Year 10 cohort on Fridays. The fantastic skills I’ve gained at The Holy Cross allow me to continue teaching and supporting my students effectively and with confidence.

The leadership of the school is such that it allows you autonomy over your role.  I feel trusted as well as supported to do my job.  The staff are very welcoming and kind.  Most importantly of all though the students are so hardworking, thoughtful and genuine that it makes coming into work a real joy.  I can honestly say that I love my job and I feel like I am a valued member of a community of staff and students.”

Subject taught:
Dance

Responsibility:
Head of Department, Director of Year 8

Joined Holy Cross:
September 2015

“When I started working at Holy Cross in September 2015, it was very surreal! I had been a Holy Cross student right through from Year 7 to Year 13 and thoroughly enjoyed my time at school, however never imagined it would become my place of work. I think this goes to show how strong the Holy Cross family and community spirit we nurture into the students truly is.

Since beginning my career at Holy Cross, I have been given such wonderful opportunities to develop as a teacher and be a positive role model for the students. I began as a Cover Supervisor which gave me a great foundation of how to hold the attention of a classroom full of students, necessary behaviour management, and awareness of lessons across a wide variety of subjects amongst many other skills. Throughout my training, I received fantastic mentoring and support to qualify as an outstanding teacher of Dance. I have been supported in order to develop the Dance department into what it is today; offering a wide provision of dance genres from around the world, opening the eyes of our young woman as to how dance can be a language in itself, full of creativity, passion, challenges and wonderful for our wellbeing. Holy Cross provides superb teacher training with the aim to continue developing a pool of fantastic teachers.

My professional development has continued to grow as I am also the Director of Year 7. My desire to provide the best pastoral care for our young women’s physical and mental wellbeing is so strongly supported by the leadership team at Holy Cross. The provision we provide ensures the transition for students coming to Holy Cross is smooth, inviting and an enjoyable process for them and continues to guide them throughout their secondary education. I am so fortunate to work with such encouraging and knowledgeable staff at Holy Cross and inspiring students. I will be forever grateful for all Holy Cross has given me.

Subject taught:
Science

Responsibility:
Teacher of Science

Joined Holy Cross:
January 2015

“When I first started working at Holy Cross School, it was a welcome surprise to see how warm and friendly the staff were.

Everyone understood how difficult it is to adjust to the policies and procedures of a new school and was really supportive and understanding accordingly. From the senior staff to the teaching staff and the administrative staff everyone was very kind and went out of their way to help me and make me feel welcome. Within the Science department my colleagues were incredibly professional; they happily and with endless patience answered all my questions, shared resources, ideas and strategies, so that I soon felt part of the team. And two years later this is still the case: we are a strong, cohesive Science department, we have a lovely team of teachers who celebrate the good moments and support each other throughout the not so good moments.

We all love teaching Science to our students and work hard to consistently plan and deliver the best lessons, we constantly strive to find the most effective way of teaching each topic and to keep our students motivated and challenged. Although teaching is a stressful profession, teaching at Holy Cross is a privilege and this is especially because of the lovely students we have at our school. They do their very best to meet the high expectations we set for them. Behaviour is not an issue and so, for the first time in my career, I have been able to focus solely on the teaching, the students are engaged and set high standards for themselves, asking interesting questions and enjoying the learning process. Working at Holy Cross has definitely made me a better teacher. We have a strong sense of community which brings staff, students and their families together, united in our shared values and strict moral compass. I feel very proud when I am able to say where I work and what I do because the Holy Cross School is so well regarded in the wider community.”

Subject taught:
Art

Responsibility:
Head of Department

Joined Holy Cross:
September 2013

“To work at The Holy Cross School means to work at a school where you are valued as a member of staff as well as being a part of a community that puts students first.

Teaching the students is a pleasure. They are always well mannered, cooperative and eager to learn. The calm, fun and relaxing school ethos promotes positive learning and is an enriching environment for all to learn and grow.

The school offers and encourages staff professional development. I feel supported and able to progress within my career.

The Holy Cross School has an outstanding reputation within the local community and I feel very proud and privileged to work here. The art department is a nurturing and outstanding department. I have enjoyed developing external links with agencies and London galleries to enrich the students’ understanding and experience of art education. Through regular support, the Art department are frequently encouraged to recognise success through external competitions and events including the BIG DRAW and The Saatchi Gallery. Every morning I look forward to coming to work.”