Mrs Kirsty Knowles
We are delighted to welcome Mrs Kirsty Knowles to St Augustine’s Priory this term. Mrs Knowles joins us as Deputy Head, Juniors and here tells us about herself.
‘From the age of three, when, much to my mother’s paradoxical pride and sadness, I let go of her hand with ease and self-reliance, I have been drawn to learning and discovery.
A Master’s Degree with Honours from the University of Edinburgh, including a year studying at the University of Richmond, in Virginia, USA, provided me with the opportunity to critically analyse and appreciate the craft of American Literature. To qualify to teach, I obtained my PGCE Key Stage 2/3, English specialism at the University of Cambridge and CELTA qualification at Frances King, in London.
My formal accreditation has been enhanced by the voluntary assignments I have carried out with children and adults, and living and working in different parts of the world: In Israel, I taught English to teacher trainees; in America, I supported under-privileged children and inexperienced parents during my work at a summer camp; in Scotland, I promoted further education to disadvantaged adolescents; and in Croatia, I used drama therapy to help survivors of the Bosnian War to build relationships and peacefully move forward. My life was enriched by these meaningful and challenging experiences and my skills and qualities were tested and strengthened.
Johannesburg, South Africa, was my home for ten and a half years but, most importantly, the area of the globe where I met and married my husband. During this transformative adventure, I worked at Roedean Junior School, an independent girls’ school, twinned with its sister establishment in Brighton, UK.
Emigrating to London to challenge ourselves, develop our careers and for a shift in culture in 2013, led me to fulfilling the following roles at Avenue House School, West Ealing: Director of Studies, Senior Management, Safeguarding, Head of English and Year 6 Form Teacher.
Having just returned from a fascinating trip to Cuba, I feel reminded once more of the importance of education, but girls’ education has always especially mattered to me. My passion for teaching and learning, mentoring and empowering girls and young women to be confident, happy, independent and accomplished has motivated me to accept this lead position at St Augustine’s Priory.’
We know that Mrs Knowles will receive a warm welcome from everyone and hope that she enjoys her life here at St Augustine’s Priory.
