The High Quarterly

Mrs Topliss

I came to Spalding High School in 1990 to cover a member of staff who was on sick leave and here I am, still here 25 years later!  It has been an interesting and challenging time as I was teaching shorthand typing using manual typewriters then, and now, when I think of how far technology has come; there have been so many changes.  It has, however, been a pleasure working here due to the friendly and supportive staff and to the students who are enthusiastic and hardworking.  I have always been extremely proud to be a member of the staff and to be part of such a successful school.  I am looking forward to my retirement but it will be with sadness that I leave.  I would just like to finish by wishing all staff and students the very best for the future.

Mr Hunter

The High School has been a fantastic place to teach; I feel so fortunate to have worked here since 2003.  I have many good memories of staff and students. Several former colleagues are now my friends, and I see them often.  Last month I had a great holiday in Puglia, Italy, with three people who used to be on the staff.  I particularly enjoyed the history trips, especially when Miss Myers took the Sixth Form to Spain every October; as soon as we got to Andalucía it was like going back to summer.  The trips to Warwick Castle, the Black Country Museum and Ypres were also very enjoyable, and it was good to see the usually positive reaction of our students to what they were seeing, and to think how this helped to interest them in the past. The ceremony at the Menin Gate was always moving.  Like every teacher I tried hard to make lessons interesting, and I hope I sometimes succeeded.  Spalding High School was an outstanding school when I arrived, and it still is today.  I am sure I will miss so much about working here – but probably not the hours spent marking!

Mrs Bamford

From the very first, when I arrived for my interview for a post in the geography department in March 1993 and there was Tigger bouncing round the entrance hall with Snow White in hot pursuit, the unique atmosphere of this amazing School was writ large and I wanted to be part of it.  I have been lucky enough, and enormously privileged, to be a very big part of Spalding High School for over 20 years, 13 of them as Deputy Head teacher.

What has this meant? Well, I can honestly say that I have never ever woken up and felt that I don’t want to go to work.  I have been able to teach geography (a.k.a. the best subject in the world) and to spend time in the company of genuinely lovely young people, and have worked with the most amazingly supportive, kind and hardworking staff that will always ‘go the extra mile’.  I have made lasting friendships and have wonderful memories of all sorts of activities and occasions in the School… not just Comic Relief days (in case you were wondering!).  I have been genuinely happy here and have never felt the need to look elsewhere.

So as I retire from teaching and from Spalding High School, I take away wonderful memories of all the people – staff, students, governors, parents – who make up this special community and I know I will miss you all.  SHS will always be close to my heart and I will follow your continued success with great interest in the future.

Mr Cox

I have had the most wonderful time at Spalding High School!  Having taught in Lincolnshire for 35 Years, this was the first opportunity for me to teach in a Grammar School, but what is more a Girls' School.  It has just been the best experience I have ever had.  The Girls are all amazing!  They welcomed me on the first day and what has been notable is they always say 'thank you' at the end of every lesson.  I have been totally humbled by that experience.  The staff are a terrific group of people determined to get the best out of every young person and I have found this aspect of my work here inspiring.  

My most memorable occasions?  Oh so many!  The landing outside R10, the best meeting place in the school.  The school Library, I have hidden in here among some of the best resources I have ever seen and what a resourceful library staff too!  The canteen provides a varied and excellent menu!  Then the lessons... the wedding was the first amazing activity we had, we then had 3 weddings, with cake, a booklet, music, and veils so creatively designed with toilet paper!  Oh and flowers...from somewhere!  Preparation for examinations was just unbelievable.  I have never witnessed such a depth of revision like it.  You should 'bottle' it and sell it!  The Spring Music Concert demonstrated such fantastic musical talent.  It was a wonderful evening!  

What will I miss.... The Girls, the aura of the school, the thirst for learning here, the warmth of greeting, the many expectant faces, oh and the cake!  Yes, I have eaten so much cake!

Mrs Chappell

I started at SHS as my youngest son, Mathew, started school at St John’s, at the age of 4. That was 21 years ago! I had been part-time at the Deepings before that, so being at work, full time, as well as being a mum of two rather lively lads and surrogate mum to an even livelier group of year 7 girls was quite a shock to my system! Still, I soon adapted! My first form (7W) won the competition for renaming the houses and so became 7J! Two of my original form now have daughters currently in year 7! So, now it’s time I went – I’m beyond my ‘sell-by’ date! And my current head of dept. (Mrs Busfield) is one of my ex-biologists! How time flies! However, I wanted to come back on a regular basis – to check up on my current year 10s (I’m watching you!) and to keep up with all my friends – I’m going to miss lots of people and the hustle and bustle but not all of the marking! I intend to spend as much time as possible in my shed (it’s huge!) making pots J, and also spending time with my two-year-old grandson Oliver until my husband retires next year. I will also be teaching pottery to two classes at Unique Cottage Studios – so come and visit when you can! Above all, I will be able to come and go as I please, without worrying about what I have to get done for my classes tomorrow – luxury!

Mrs Chalcraft

What it has meant to me to work at SHS

I am leaving SHS…wow, where do I start?  Well firstly I can’t quite believe that I am actually going.  Time for a new challenge is the only reason.

I consider myself to be an exceptionally fortunate person to have worked somewhere so unique, so special, and just so utterly brilliant.

I have enjoyed every single minute of every single day of time my time with you all.  There has never been a single day that I have not wanted to come to work, which makes me one of the richest people I know.  It has been my privilege to work with students that will probably be the highlight of my career in so many ways.   You’re smart, funny, kind, silly, polite, considerate, helpful, determined, studious, hard working, sporty, adventurous... the list is endless.