An introduction…
This term we welcome some new members of staff to St Augustine’s Priory. Here is the first of two articles which introduces three of these new members of staff to you.
Firstly, a new addition to the Mathematics Department, Mr Miguel Pereira writes:
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Mathematics Department at St Augustine’s Priory and I look forward to meeting the staff, pupils and to having many shared experiences together.
I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved to Cape Town at the age of 13 to finish secondary school. Following this I returned to Johannesburg to complete a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Accounting and Finance, where I realised that I had a passion for teaching and subsequently completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
My teaching career began as a Lecturer of Computational Applied Mathematics and Accountancy at the University of Witwatersrand, where I taught first year students. This was an enjoyable and fruitful experience and I decided to move into teaching in schools, where I could become involved in extra-curricular activities and the wider aspects of school life.
My passion for Mathematics is equally shared with my other great passion: Music. In addition to teaching Mathematics I have taught Latin American dancing and started various Glee choirs in my previous schools where we have competed regionally. When I am not teaching Maths and music, I love traveling, cooking and learning languages (I am currently learning Spanish – this is a slow process but I know all good things come to those who are patient and persevere).
I look forward to working with the Mathematics Department at St Augustine’s and I hope to bring both Latin American dancing and perhaps a Glee choir to the school and its pupils.”
Speaking of which – Mr Pereira is starting a Latin American dance club. Do join up!
Secondly, in this article, we meet Dr Geoffrey Higgins, who is joining the Music Department:
“I am originally from Northern Ireland, where I studied music at Queens University Belfast. I specialised in baroque music (music written between 1600 and 1750) and trained as a continuo player (usually on the harpsichord, but also the chamber organ).
Over the years I have directed and played in a number of operas including Mozart’s Così fan tutte and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. For a while I lectured at university and taught harpsichord and keyboard skills to undergraduates. Singing is also a passion of mine and with various choirs I have broadcast on television and radio and recorded several CDs. In Belfast I was a Choral Scholar then Lay Clerk at St Anne’s Cathedral; I also conducted the choir there for over a year.
Since moving to London I have taken up the post of Organist at Crown Court Church Covent Garden and I direct the choir there as well. I have also had the chance to play and sing in lots of concerts. I am looking forward to teaching at St Augustine’s and getting to know everyone.’
Finally, this week we meet Miss Louise Naylor who has joined us and is working with Mrs Daly in the Bursary:
“I have just finished college, achieving a triple distinction with triple merit in my Level 3 BTEC Business Diploma course and passed my AAT Level 2 Certificate course. This is my first full- time job and I’m so excited to be joining the Finance Team, as the Finance Assistant here at St Augustine’s Priory. I will also be continuing my studies at college, in the evenings, to go on and achieve the Level 3 AAT Diploma course. “
We welcome all these new members to our community at St Augustine’s Priory and hope that they will be very happy here with us.
Categories: Priory Post