Mr O Jenkins – Subject Leader of Geography

Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Mr Jenkins the new Head of Geography here at St Simon Stock. I have previously been Head of Humanities and subject leader of Geography at a school in Medway as well as having experience leading whole-school teaching & learning initiatives. I am married with a little one-year old son who keeps me very busy when I am not teaching about this wonderful world. I am very excited to be starting this next stage of my career and all staff and students have made me feel very welcome. Some readers may be aware already, but I have introduced the Geography Star of the Month Award where our students have the opportunity to be recognised for a combination of fantastic homework, brilliant contributions to lessons, showing an inquisitive mind, positive attitude to learning and truly “thinking like a geographer”. This award is given out to one student at the end of each month from every year group across mine, Mr Williams’, Mrs Rodell-Jones and Miss O’Neill’s classes – to nineteen students out of approximately 700 that study the subject across the school. The students will receive a certificate, an email home and a prize as well as a huge round of applause from their classmates. Congratulations to the students that won this fantastic award for the month of September! I wish all Geographers a fantastic academic year to come with more success along the way.

Mr Pleasant – Subject Leader of Social Sciences

I am a graduate of the University of Kent with a first class honours degree in the social sciences. I have taught A level subjects for many years, focusing upon Psychology and Sociology primarily. I have a particular interest in applying Educational research into the classroom through an emphasis on memory and learning techniques. 

Mrs Swyny – Subject Leader of Year 7 – 10 Science

Since starting the new role of Head of Lower School Science (Years 7-10) in September, I have been made to feel incredibly welcome by both the staff and students throughout the school. My background is in Biology, having studied Biomedical Science at University, however throughout my career I have also taught both Chemistry and Physics. Outside of school I am a keen rugby fan, and have had a season ticket to Wasps for the past 11 years. I spend as much holiday time as I can travelling, and have recently visited Costa Rica and the America’s Southern States. Looking forward to the future in the Science department, I will be coordinating redevelopment of the KS3 teaching program to reflect the recent changes to the GCSE curriculum. I will also be taking an active role in the expansion of KS5 Biology courses, with my particular area of focus being on the new A-level Biology specifications. I would like to thank the St Simon Stock community as a whole for making me feel so welcome, especially at parent events such as Year 9 information evening.

Miss Courtney – Subject Leader of Design and Technology

I started at St Simon Stock Catholic School in the June of the last academic year, as the Subject Leader for Design & Technology.  I have been overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and support that I have received from the St Simon Stock Catholic School community already.  I have previously been subject lead across two other schools and I have a deep passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education and I also work as a consultant for the Royal Academy of Engineering in supporting schools develop and deliver an engaging STEM curriculum and enrichment opportunities.

I have so many plans for developing the D&T department at St Simon Stock Catholic School.  Already this academic year new schemes of work and projects have been introduced across Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.  Year 11 are busy working away on their coursework as are Year 13.  Over the next few years, I plan on seeing the GCSE and A-Level student numbers increase across both Food Preparation & Nutrition and Design & Technology.  The subject has so much to offer students where ever their interests and passions lay.  As I often say to Year 7 in their first lesson…if it isn’t nature, then it’s been designed and manufactured by a wide range of designers, engineers and manufacturers and the possibilities are endless!