Brentwood School - Brentwoodian 2020

102 Natalie Da Costa As friendly and caring as she is organised and efficient, Ms da Costa comes to Brentwood as our new Sixth Form Pastoral Manager. She likes having a lasting impact on the health and well-being of her students and, while her role is challenging in all the right places, she loves to be a listening ear, helping to offer emotional support and reassurance. Ms da Costa loves to read, travel and learn new things. She loves her family, whether that is spending time with her children, or enjoying her Mum’s Sunday dinner. Her favourite film is Back to the Future , and her favourite flavour of ice cream is bubblegum. Favourite quotation Treat others how you expect to be treated Advice for students Balance is key; work hard but also enjoy your life and the freedom that you have, as there are many that are not as lucky! Ashleigh Ellis Ms Ellis is extremely excited to be starting in Brentwood School’s Drama Department this year. She came here from the James Allen Girls School in Dulwich, where she was the ‘Director in Residence’, and has worked with the Stagecoach Performing Arts School. She loves the creativity that students are able to express within the Drama classroom, and the way that Drama gives students a chance to develop their teamwork, communication and confidence in themselves. In her free time, Ms Ellis enjoys going to the theatre (of course!); though this is less possible than it used to be at the time of writing. She is, however, making the most of the local walks and coffee shops! She loves Spanish food, too, particularly tapas or authentic Valencian paella. She enjoys Hugh Grant’s work from the late 90’s and early 00’s, and her favourite flavour of ice cream is… not ice cream at all, but sorbet! In particular, lemon or mango. Favourite quotation Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. (Mother Teresa) Advice for students Cherish your time here; throw yourselves into all aspects of life at Brentwood: your studies, extra-curricular activities, the people who surrounded you. Believe that you can achieve anything you put your minds to! Adam Clarke Our new Head of Second Year, Mr Clarke, also joins us as a teacher of History, Theology, and Philosophy. Twentieth Century history is his main passion, and he loves linking the events of the past to the surroundings and society of the modern day. When teaching Theology and Philosophy, moreover, he enjoys the discussion of religious beliefs and various philosophical ideas, with ‘The Philosophy of Mind’ as a favourite area of study. With his ‘Head of Year’ hat on, meanwhile, he enjoys shaping students’ attitudes and motivating them to do well. Mr Clarke has been a teacher for six years, but started out in journalism and the media. His favourite activities outside of school are largely sporty, as he plays rugby, cricket, and football, and is an avid supporter of Liverpool FC. His favourite food is jerk chicken, rice, and peas, perhaps followed by vanilla ice cream and sprinkles. His favourite films are the Matt Damon Bourne series. Favourite quotation Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. Advice for students Be respectful, work hard and no one can complain.