Proud to.......

..be a black-British educator - Mrs. Tackie

I am proud to be a black-British educator. I didn’t see many educators that looked like me as a child, which was quite ironic considering I grew up in one of the most diverse cities in the world, London! What’s even more strange is that even with the lack of representation, I knew at the age of 14 that I wanted to either be an English teacher or lawyer. It just so happened that while I was away on a gap year in Uganda that my love for teaching was ignited again. This happened when a young girl my grandad adopted asked me to help her with her English homework. The little sparkle in her eye when things started making sense was all I needed to become what I hardly saw growing up. To this day, I continue with this same desire in mind to set off sparks and trigger students to become what they want to be irrespective of what they see. I am proud to be a black-British educator.

..have broad shoulders - Mr. Betts

I am proud to have broad shoulders. Often as the Principal, it is impossible to please everyone; if I please one group of people it doesn’t please another. I have to make decisions every day anyway even though I know that someone somewhere will definitely disagree with me; it’s my responsibility. Sometimes almost everyone disagrees with me! But when that happens I ask myself a simple question – am I doing the right thing? And if I think I am, I stick to it. I am proud to have broad shoulders.

..have been born in South London - Mr. Crook

I am proud to be have been born in South London. It shaped my upbringing. It allowed me to be part of a community which included friends from all different backgrounds. It gave me insight to other cultures and introduced me to different music/foods/lifestyles. It gave me the opportunity to leave school and sign a professional football contract in one of the most competitive areas of London. Although I have moved across the river, I always feel home when I step back in SE5. I am proud to have been born in South London.

..be non-binary - Mr. Wilkinson

I am proud to be Non-Binary. For myself to show myself now after hiding the real me up until two years ago; after spending most of my life hiding in a very traditional household not being who I am inside and being forced into a stereotypical role; being bullied at school for being different; hiding from friends and family, afraid to show myself as I felt that being how I was... was not normal.  It took the loss of my father to realise that life could be short. I regretted not telling him who I am.  I realised that I should not be afraid anymore;  that people should judge me for my actions as a person not how I should be - based on my gender. I have served my country and saved many peoples' lives in London's vast community. I have a caring wife who appreciates me for who I am. I still find it hard to 'open up' now, and even struggle when writing this. But I can say; I am proud to be Non-Binary.  

..have changed my family's stereotype - Mr. Holland

I am proud to have changed my family's stereotype. My parents left school at 15. My dad was a plumber and his father worked in Ford's at Dagenham on the production line. Before the sixth form I was lazy at school and outside school I was often involved in activities that did not make me proud and I was lucky not to come to the attention of the police. There were only four other students who went to University from my school but staying on in the sixth changed my friendship group and my outlook on life. By going to University my life has been changed for the better, not just financially. This drives my desire to improve the chances of the students in my care. I am proud to have changed my family's stereotype.

..be a creative communicator - Mrs. Lake

I am proud to be a creative communicator. I strive to make my students become polite and good communicators with their community. Everyone has a right to be heard, and I hope all students in my lessons feel confident to have a voice and express their beliefs. I grew up in a very happy family and my relationships at home are just as important as my relationships with my students and the community of teachers I work with. Communication and respect are the most important part of being a teacher. I am proud to be a creative communicator.

..have escaped Thurrock (in the best possible way!) - Mrs Graham

..I am proud to have escaped Thurrock (in the best way possible way!.) I was born and raised in Grays. I went to a school that was ‘getting by’ but I wanted more. I went to a sixth form that was great; it opened doors for me and showed me a wider world of possibilities I didn’t know existed. I left Thurrock. I went to university, met people from completely different worlds, people who were from different places, who didn’t have the same background as me or sound like me. I loved it. I love change and movement and growth. I travelled the world meeting more people. experiencing more places and decided then - that I needed to be in Thurrock. Thurrock is home and means more now than it did before. It’s where I make a difference. I may not live here in person anymore (the lure of a coastal lifestyle got me once and for all) but my career, my past and my heart always will.  I am proud to have escaped Thurrock (in the best possible way!)

..be a working father - Mr. Ward

I am proud to be a working father. I have a sporting and theatrical background which has brought me opportunities and experiences. I am proud to work at HARI and educate such inspiring students, who all have incredible futures. Since I retired from playing, I went straight into coaching and for the last ten years I have had two jobs which regularly see me carry out 18 hour working days; some days I don't get to see my daughter. That is hard but I am motivated that my work will give her an incredible life. I love what I do; I enjoy work and helping my colleagues and beneficiaries evolve. And I enjoy seeing my hard work rewarded by the smiles of my daughter and my wife. I am proud to be a working father.