OUR STAFF

ALI WATTS

HEADTEACHER – DSL – ASSESSMENT

Hello! Shw Mae?

I have lived in Cornwall since 2004 after growing up in West Wales. I speak Welsh fluently and love heading back to visit family and explore the drastic landscape, as well as eating bara brith and welsh cakes!

After training to be a teacher at Cardiff University, I decided to pursue a lifelong dream to travel the world. I visited many countries and experienced all different cultures. Some of the countries I visited were Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Fiji , New Zealand. I worked in NZ for a year as a teacher which gave me an opportunity to experience a different outlook on education and to learn about a totally different culture! As well as working I had an opportunity to spend a season snowboarding in the South Island, sky diving, whale watching and hiking glaciers!! Unforgettable experiences!

I now live in Hayle with my husband and two boys. I like nothing more than heading to the beach or taking the boys on their bikes or watching them play their favourite sport – football! I love exploring places, walking, running, going to the gym and shopping!!! I also love listening to music ranging from 30 seconds to Mars to Ben Howard. I like all kinds of different food from Thai to Italian to Mexican fajitas!!

I like to keep in mind a quotation I heard once – “If you can dream it, you can do it!”

GARETH TUDOR

YEAR 3/4 TEACHER – DEPUTY HEAD – HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY & CURRICULUM LEAD – PUPIL PREMIUM LEAD – DDSL

I feel very privileged to be able to live and work in St Ives. Having started my teaching career in St Ives Junior School, my wife and I moved to Penang, Malaysia where I worked at a large International School. After three very happy years of living, working and exploring Southeast Asia, we decided that we wanted to return to Cornwall to raise our family. I have three wonderful children who we love exploring the coastline and countryside with.

Having worked at St Ives Junior School before, I know just what a special place it is and I am thrilled to be back. When I’m not at work, I enjoy going to the gym, fishing and love spending as much time in the sea and on the beaches I can. Being from Wales, you won’t be surprised to know that I am a big rugby fan and enjoy watching and supporting my old club and local team “The Hakes”.

STEVE LUKE

YEAR 6 TEACHER – MATHS LEAD – MENTAL HEALTH LEAD – DDSL

I love living in Cornwall! It is a fantastic place for my two children to grow up in as it’s so special to be able to take them to the beach or park or country within a matter of minutes.

A Cornish lad, I have lived in Hayle my whole life apart from when I went away to study. I spent 3 years in Bedford gaining a degree in Leisure and Sports Studies. Following this, I returned to Penwith to support adults with learning difficulties for 4 years. This proved a great experience and allowed me some time to consider different career options before deciding on teaching.

I completed a PGCE at Marjons in Plymouth, which included a teaching practice at St Ives Junior School. On finishing this course in 1999, I was asked to go back to St Ives to fill a vacancy on the teaching staff and have been here ever since!

Favourite Food:
Well, I guess people that know me would probably say apples, although tomato ketchup and corn flakes (not together!) would come close.

Hobbies:
This is an easy one for me. Watching or playing, I enjoy most sports. Although particularly fond of golf and rugby, I am, and always have been, passionate about football – Leeds United in particular! A frustrated midfielder really, I have played most of my career in goal.

Highlights include playing against Liverpool and Celtic in pre-season friendlies for local clubs and listening to Sir Stanley Matthews as an after-dinner speaker at a county schools festival.

I am also a keen reader, especially of action thrillers and sports biographies. I would love to have the confidence and ability to try some real DIY – but I don’t really have any of the necessary skills … yet!

JENNY REHAAG

YEAR 3/4 TEACHER – OUTDOOR LEARNING LEAD – FOSIJS LEAD

I moved down to St Ives in 2010 and have been privileged to teach at SIJS ever since. I love everything about teaching and am passionate about taking learning outdoors and into the local community. With local beaches, woods and a rich local community, St Ives is the perfect location to teach and learn.

Before moving to St Ives, I grew up in Northern Ireland and then taught and travelled around the world. Now, I love to explore Cornwall with my family. We enjoy exploring the Cornish coast on foot along the coastal path and in our kayaks. When I’m not busy at school or with my family, I love to be outside (sea swimming, cycling, or going for long walks) or at home baking sweet treats.

JULI HOSKING

YEAR 3/4 TEACHER – ENGLISH LEAD – STAFF GOVERNOR – DDSL

I grew up in Central Scotland surrounded by beautiful mountains and lochs. I really enjoy going back to Scotland as often as I can to catch up with friends and family and also enjoy some of my favourite Scottish foods. Particularly tablet, a very sweet treat!

I moved to St Ives in 1996. My plan was to work for the summer, however, I loved life in St Ives so much that my stay just grew and grew.

I enjoy travelling and have enjoyed exploring Spain, France, Greece, America, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. I have a very long list of countries that I would still like to travel! I also enjoy walking, swimming, skiing, cooking, concerts (I love Take That), films, theatre and spending time with my family.

I began working in schools as a teaching assistant at St Ives School and whilst there gained a degree and then went on to teacher training. I have been lucky enough to teach in several local schools and to be selected to participate in a teacher exchange with a school in Texas which was an incredibly interesting experience.

I recently moved to a new house in St Ives with my husband and 2 daughters, Lily and Ella and our lovely little labrador puppy Rudi. Most of my free time is spent fixing up our house, training our puppy and enjoying as much time with my family as I can.

BEN BOWDEN

YEAR 5 TEACHER – SCIENCE LEAD – PARENT ENGAGEMENT – HOUSE TEAMS LEAD – DDSL

It is a great honour to be Cornish and working in a great Cornish school! My passion is helping others develop and fulfil their potential. I believe that school should be a sanctuary where good things happen – a place of smiles, togetherness and learning.

I bring a great deal of my personal interests into the classroom with me including surfing, music, football and pretty much any sport. I love the approach that children bring to life – that unassuming, happy go lucky, non-judgemental, playful way of doing things and I actually feel that as adults, children can teach us a thing or two. I deeply believe in being an advocate for children and enjoy every moment of being inside (or preferably outside!) a classroom with them.

Outside of school, I have my young family to keep me busy and I love whiling away the day in the water or on the beach or just being outside with them. I create music with friends and surf whenever I can. I wish I could say that I still play competitive football but unfortunately, old father time has other ideas… I can still do enough to score a few against ten year olds however, so that’ll do me!

LYDIA REYNOLDS

YEAR 6 TEACHER – DT LEAD – ABLE CHILDREN

After spending my summer holidays on Porthmeor Beach as a child, I always hoped that I would return to St Ives. Now I can’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather live and I still love nothing more than spending the day on the beach.

When I had completed my degree in English and History, I spent a few years working for the library service, running sessions for the under 5s. It was here that I discovered how much I enjoyed working with children and helping them to learn. After completing my teacher training at Exeter University, I began my teaching career in London, spending two years in an inner city school. Following this, I joined SIJS and thoroughly enjoyed my three years working here. Although I took a short break from teaching, I soon realised how much I love being in the classroom.

When I’m not in the classroom, I love spending time on my other passion; baking cakes! I enjoy experimenting with different ingredients to create delicious cakes and the other staff at school ensure that I don’t eat them all myself. Luckily I also enjoy walking and swimming in the sea, which helps to burn off some of the cakes.

NAOMI BROWN

YEAR 5 TEACHER – MUSIC LEAD – RE LEAD

Hello!

Having fond memories of visiting St Ives on the train as a child, I have always loved St Ives and knew it was a special town! After gaining my Teaching and Learning degree, and teacher training status, I joined St Ives Junior School and have stayed ever since. Being subject leader for music at SIJS, my favourite time of year is the Christmas! I love how the SIJS team are brought together to create fantastic Christmas performances.

I live with my partner, Jordan, and our crazy Labrador, Barney, and tortoise, Tilly. In my free time, I love to visit new places and embrace everything that Cornwall offers. I enjoy going swimming (occasionally in the sea if I’m feeling brave!), taking Barney on walks or to the beach and baking cakes. Recently, I have tried to challenge myself to learn the piano again, which I haven’t touched since I was 14! I don’t think you will see my playing in any Christmas productions anytime soon though…

LEANNE HART

YEAR 3/4 TEACHER – PE LEAD

Having fantastic memories of attending SIJS as a pupil, I feel very lucky to be a teacher at the school and to be back home in sunny St. Ives. After gaining my Maths and Statistics degree at Reading University I worked and travelled for a few years before completing my teacher training at Exeter University. My first teaching post was at SIJS where I stayed for many years and following a short break to visit family in Australia and to travel, I am delighted to be back in the classroom.

I am fortunate to have travelled through numerous countries, experiencing many different cultures and landscapes. I hope my experiences and stories can inspire the next generation and add value to our learning.

My two main passions are food and sport! I enjoy cooking a range of savoury and sweet dishes, taking inspiration from exotic foods sampled from around the World. Although I am always willing to give any sport a go and can often be spotted at the leisure centre, netball is definitely my favourite sport. I love playing as part of a team, keeping fit and the competitiveness that comes with team games.

ALEX MCAVOY

YEAR 6 TEACHER – ART LEAD – SCHOOL COUNCIL LEAD

Originally from up north, I trained to be a teacher and taught in London for two years. However, the lure of Cornwall proved too great so, in 2005, I relocated to St Ives. Being a nature super fan, I can’t see myself ever being able to leave the stunning beaches and countryside we are so lucky to have here.

I’m a very adventurous eater and I love cooking all kinds of dishes from around the world. I’m a huge animal lover and am also obsessed with all things Star Wars. In my spare time, I enjoy dancing, having a go at surfing, reading and walking my German Shepherd, Bruce.

I love teaching and the most exciting part for me is that that I am working with the future! Our pupils will go on to be the creatives, workers and leaders of the next generation and hopefully will bring about positive change in the world. Watching our pupils grow in confidence and character is a privilege and I’m constantly learning new skills and information along with them. It’s the best job in the world!

MOLLY BARBER

YEAR 3/4 TEACHER – SENDCO

Previously I have lived and grown up in Hampshire but made the move here to be closer to my Cornish roots. As my family is originally from Newquay, I have spent every holiday visiting and I knew one day I would call this beautiful place my home. Outside of school, I enjoy walking my dog, Reggie, on the beach and visiting new places.