Our staff

Sue Smith – Headteacher

Education and Learning has always been a real passion for me. I have taught students from 3 to 18 years since I first started teaching in a secondary school in 1978, with Science as my main subject.

This is my third primary headship and I absolutely love the job! The first was as acting head for 2 years in a large urban school of 460 on roll, with a designated nursery and hearing impaired unit on site. My second was as a 0.5 class based teaching head for 6 years in a school of just under 200. I have been here at St Ives Junior since September 2003.

I love Cornwall, travel, films which make me laugh, losing myself in a good book- preferably somewhere warm- and anything fattening, particularly sweets and really squidgy pastries.

I am a vegetarian but I do eat fish with omega things in it as this will hopefully keep my memory agile and keep my brain really alert!

I absolutely adore my two little grandson’s and they, whilst totally exhausting me! – enable me to remain really focused in the needs of all children and the life opportunities they should be getting in school, each and every day.

Children make me chuckle on a daily basis. They are so levelling and so funny and so very real!

Dont forget… ‘In times of change the LEARNERS will inherit the earth, whilst the KNOWERS will be beautifully equipped to deal with a world which no longer exists…’

‘There is nothing permanent except change’…. greek proverb!

Matt Allcock – Deputy Head, Assessment Leader, ICT Leader and Year 6 Teacher

I moved to Cornwall in 2005, having taught in London for a number of years and before that I lived in both France and Spain. I have to confess that my French and Spanish are both really rusty now: it’s true what they say about learning: use it or lose it! I have three daughters  and as a family we love living in Cornwall, spending time on the beach and exploring the local area.

Favourite food:
You can’t beat a good steak and chips, but I’m also a sucker for Paella (rice and meat cooked in a huge, flat cauldron) and anything sweet for pudding!

Hobbies:
I’m an ardent Ipswich Town supporter but haven’t had very much to celebrate recently! I love to ski and have just started playing badminton again after a break of 20 years! I have set myself the target of trying to go running at least once a week: I haven’t got there YET!

Suzannah Teagle – Assistant Head, Inclusion and Learning Leader, Literacy leader and Year 3 Teacher

I have lived in Cornwall most of my life, only briefly studying in both Cardiff and Exeter, before the Cornish air pulled me home again! I live in St.Agnes enjoying life with my 5 year old son, Noah. I like nothing more than chilling at home with him, trying to learn how to play tractors and trains and pretending to be interested about dinosaurs!.

My favourite foods are Stir-fry, fish ‘n’ chips, chinese, roast and…….ice cream. My favourite drink is Coca-Cola. I know water is far more tastier and better for you…. but Coke just hits the spot!

Hobbies: Playing with Noah, meeting with friends, aerobics, music and holidays!

Music is incredibly important to me, and has always been a big part of my life. I like most music including Robbie, Pink,   Hole, Lily Allen, Bob Dylan, Noisettes, Razorlight and the Killers, but also appreciate a bit of Debussy, Pergolosi and Mozart!  Some of my favourite   films are obviously Point Break, Dirty Dancing , Grease and Bridget Jones, but appreciating more and more horror – the more gruesome the better!.

I love traveling, but also coming home to the place I love. Recent adventures have taken me to Kenya and California… and now saving ready for the next one!

Alex McAvoy – Year 6 Teacher and Art Leader (maternity cover)

Hiya. I’m Alex Smallridge. I’m from Bolton and support Bolton Wanderers (no jokes please!).

I moved down to Cornwall with my German Shepherd dog, Fozzy Bear and have fallen in love with the beaches. I like to surf (badly!), read, listen to my records, walk my dog, cook and eat.

I’m rather partial to Japanese, Indian and Thai food but like a true foodie, anything goes! I am a huge film fanatic, particularly the Star Wars films and toys which I could talk about for hours. I really love teaching because I get to learn so much from all the children. I love finding things out and developing new skills.

Ali Watts – Year 3 Teacher and Maths Leader

Hello! Shw Mae?

I have lived in Wales most of my life but moved to Cornwall 6 years ago with my husband due to our love of the sea air, surfing and coastal walks! I was brought up in a small, rural village in West Wales which will always have a place in my heart as well as the Welsh language ( the oldest surviving Celtic language!).

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! LAlready thinking about the next adventure!

I now Live in Hayle with my husband and two boys – Bryn and Jac! I love spending time with them and I like nothing more than heading to the beach or taking them on their bikes or simply chilling at home with them playing trains , diggers and tractors!!

My favourite past times at the moment are camping, travelling, walking, running, socialising and shopping!!! I also love listening to music and going to concerts and festivals – my favourites at the moment are – Kings of Leon , Oasis , Razorlight, Biffy Clyro , Robbie Williams!!!

I like all kinds of different food from Thai to fish and chips but love welsh cakes and bara brith!!

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

Suzanne Le-Doux-Lucas – Year 5 Teacher, RE Leader and Primary Languages Leader

Hiya!

My name is Suzanne Le-Doux-Lucas. I grew up in the Midlands, but always wanted to live in Cornwall after lots of memorable holidays. Having moved down to Mevagissey with my family when I was 12, I immediately felt at home.
After training at Marjon University College in Plymouth, where I completed a four year BEd primary degree, I have been lucky enough to gain my first teaching post here at St Ives – which I love!!

Favourite food – has to be anything Mexican, especially if it has cheese on it ….mmm!!! I also love Earl Grey tea.

Hobbies – dancing, art, cooking, pilates, watching films and going for long walks with my fiancé

Steve Luke – Year 4 Teacher and Science and DT Leader

I love living in Cornwall! It is a fantastic place for my wife and I to raise our two young children 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!

Katie Smith – Year 3 Teacher and Art Leader

I am a fully fledged Cornish girl who attended school in Penzance, college in Truro then spread my wings and moved up to London to study a degree in History of Art. After my studies I travelled to Australia and Indonesia for a year which resulted in a travelling bug and spent a few years visiting various places around the world. On my return I trained as a teacher and worked in Hampshire, however the beaches and blue sea of Cornwall was calling me so I returned to Penzance and started to work at St.Ives Junior School . Art is my specialist subject, which is great when you live with such fantastic art on your doorstep and we have lots of opportunities to work with local artists in school.

I love eating out, especially seafood although now I have two little boys, Finn and Ted, going to restaurants is a special treat!! My hobbies include playing tennis, swimming, being out in the fresh air, travelling to different countries and playing with Finn.

Through working at St Ives I have discovered loads about making learning fun and for life; ‘ learning together, free to fly ‘ applies to me as a teacher as well as the children in school!

Esther Bosustow – ‘One to One’ tutor and Music Leader (Currently on Maternity leave)

After finishing a degree in music from the University of Edinburgh in 2001, I went to the town of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina to live and work for two years.

I worked in schools with a team of young musicians and teachers leading music, art and drama workshops in schools around the area. I also played in an orchestra called the Mostar Sinfonietta. When I came back to Cornwall I worked in Sure Start Trevu in Camborne for two years and for Jo Jingles doing music workshops for under fives. I then decided that teaching was what I really wanted to do and did my PGCE  in Bath.

Favourite Food:
I love cooking, but I love eating my Mum’s food more than my own. Her butterscotch pudding is my favourite!

Hobbies:
Live music, walking, cinema and my two cats, Izzy and Ambrose.

Did you know… music is good for you! Listening to music can help you relax and singing improves circulation and even tones abdominal muscles!!

Gareth Tudor – New Year 6 Teacher

Hello!

I am originally from South Wales, but moved to England to study archaeology at the University of Exeter in 2004.

Whilst studying I was lucky enough to excavate in some amazing locations, including Israel for 2 months. Travel is a great passion of mine and I have spent time in North Africa, New Zealand and south east Asia.

Being from Wales I thoroughly enjoy my rugby, and have played for Cardiff RFC at a range of different age groups. I have also tried my hand at Rugby League (much to the surprise of my Welsh friends and family!). I am looking forward to exploring the local area on foot and kayak, and hopefully I may even get the chance to learn to surf!

Other hobbies include reading, socialising with friends, listening to live music and singing (badly!).

I absolutely love all kinds of food, especially Mexican and Italian.

I am really looking forward to working in such a vibrant and enthusiastic school such as St Ives Junior School.

Jenny Hamilton – Year 5 Teacher and Humanities Leader

Hi, I grew up in Northern Ireland and moved to England last July to teach in Bristol.  I started at SIJS in September 2010.

I trained as a teacher in Belfast and after graduating spent a year teaching on the Isle of Man. I then returned to Northern Ireland where I taught for just over a year before heading off to Argentina, where I worked as an expedition leader in Patagonia.

My two greatest passions in life are being outside and exploring. I have travelled all over the world and hiked and kayaked along the way. I’m looking forward to hiking along the south-west coast path, exploring the coast in my kayak and discovering all the hidden treasures Penwith has to offer.

My favourite food is a home cooked meal always with dessert.

Leanne Hart – Year 6 Teacher

A Cornish girl born and bred! I attended St.Ives Junior School as a child so I am thrilled to have a teaching post as a Year 4 teacher in a place where I have many happy memories!!

I studied Mathematics and Statistics at Reading University and then went on to travel the World experiencing many different cultures and meeting new people. For a few years following my travels I worked as a Pricing Analyst before starting my PGCE at Exeter University.

I love to keep fit! My favourite sports are netball and running but I enjoy taking part in any team game. I have been told my competitive side tends to shine through on the sports pitch/court.

Food is definitely one of my favourite interests, I like to eat healthy foods but I’m a firm believer of everything in moderation. This is what I convince myself of when I make one of my cakes and eat most of it!

My other hobbies include: visiting new places, relaxing with friends, listening to music, cooking and sitting on the beach with a good book.

I love living back in my favourite place in the World…..St.Ives!

Helen Clare – Year 4 Teacher

Hello! I am originally from Essex but after studying Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham I went on to travel the world and haven’t been back much since! I taught English in Japan for a year, which was incredible.. so different, interesting and beautiful! I then went on to live in New Zealand for a year, exploring and learning to surf. After spending time in Thailand and Bali on the way home, I landed in Scotland with my partner in his home town on the North coast, where I soon began teaching French classes and trained to be a yoga teacher.

I came down to Cornwall for yet another change of scenery and to do my PGCE at Plymouth as they were offering the specialism of Primary Languages. I strongly believe our children should be learning foreign languages and learning as much about the world they live in as possible. I used to be a competitive swimmer but now prefer to surf, I love Italian food but only vegetarian as I try to be a yogi!  I always enjoy a good book. I am really very excited about teaching at St Ives Junior School, working alongside such fantastic staff and pupils.

Ramsey Hogg – New Year 5 Teacher

What an exciting move for me this year, I am moving from the north of Scotland to the South West of Cornwall. However travelling is not new to me and I look forward to the new school and new pupils. I moved to Bogota, Colombia for part of my primary education returning to Scotland for Secondary school and university in Edinburgh. My passion for travel is equalled by my love of rugby and I hope to pursue this in St Ives.  I may have to swap slopes for waves and instead of skiing, I plan to learn to surf while in this wonderful part of the country. Following university I taught in South Korea for one year prior to returning to Dundee University to obtain my PGDE, I have since been teaching in Elgin where I have enjoyed all aspects of the school curriculum.