Both of my parents are teachers. In fact, my father was my Headmaster at an International School in the Bahamas and he was a true inspiration but I never thought that teaching would be my calling as well. I actually wanted to be a vet as I am utterly besotted with animals but I just missed my A grade in Chemistry so, on a whim, I decided to take a degree in Biological Science instead. My Biology teacher was definitely another inspirational figure and his eccentricity and passion made the subject come alive. I remember vividly him teaching us how to keep bees and Xenopus toads! I cannot thank him enough as once I started teaching, I loved my career and have never looked back.

It’s early days yet but I am proud of the launch of the new 'Maynard Awards’ scheme which will make the very special Maynard education accessible to many more girls in the area. I’m also really pleased with the bespoke bus routes we now offer to alleviate the stress of the school run for parents who live further away. There’s plenty more in the pipeline but most importantly I am proud to lead a school that is so full of vibrancy and positivity with a very unique family feel.

A caring, respectful and supportive atmosphere is key to a successful school, not just for the girls but for the staff and parents as well. Equally, passionate, inspirational and exciting teachers give students a real love of learning that will last a lifetime. No TV programme, DVD or clever software can ever fire up a student in the same way as an excellent teacher. Looking back on my first encounter with The Maynard, what struck me most was the happiness and confidence in the girls. Their beaming smiles, upbeat and positive chatter about their school and boundless enthusiasm was a joy to behold, and still is!

To be fearless and adopt a ‘can do’ attitude to life. Having the confidence to boldly take on every new challenge in this volatile and unpredictable 21st century world is the road to achievement and, ultimately, fulfillment in life. It won't be easy and that is why you hear so much about grit and resilience in education today.

Where do I start as there are so many words I could use! Whittled down to just five, I would say: happiness, integrity, kindness, ambition and of course, hard work. If these core values are embedded, a school as a community will thrive because there will be a deep trust, which in turn encourages innovation and initiative. Everyone must be given the right springboard to reach their full potential; staff and students alike. That is the ethos I shall strive to maintain at The Maynard School.