Our clubs and societies are some of the most enjoyed elements of school life. In P4-7, these are organised with military precision by one of our Junior School Deputy Heads, Mrs Hewitt. Many of you may have seen both Mrs Hewitt, and her Cavapoochon Therapy dog, Betty, around campus.
Originally from the North East of England, Mrs Hewitt grew up in Hong Kong, returning to the UK to study at St Andrews University and the University of East Anglia. When she joined our community twenty years ago as a class teacher, she brought with her vast experience of teaching in England and Saudi Arabia. She is a woman of extraordinary talents and our Junior School would be lost without her.
What inspired you to become a teacher and what is your favourite part of the job?
As soon as I was old enough, I trained to be a swimming teacher – this was my first job, working for the YMCA in Hong Kong where I grew up. I then did lots of volunteering with Guides, Brownies and in local schools. I loved the fact that as a primary teacher every day is different, and you get to do so many different subjects, so you never get bored. The best thing about being a teacher is when someone is struggling to understand something and you are able to help them – seeing that light of understanding go on is magical.
What is your favourite part of the week?
My favourite part of the school week is the end of the school day on Friday – no, not because it’s the end of the week - it's when I run the Harry Potter Craft club. I love running clubs and this one is my favourite. It’s crafty, often messy, and usually magical.
Are the clubs just about having fun?
Clubs are primarily about having fun and can be a real escape for those children who find classroom learning more of a challenge. However, children learn so many skills in their clubs as well.
They are also a great opportunity for children to widen their circle of friends beyond their classroom, which is really important for their transition to Senior School.
As well as your Deputy Head role, you are well known in the ESMS community as a woman of many hidden talents. You're a talented seamstress and have sewn many school play costumes, you have made cakes for our Open Day, you have extraordinary craft skills, you manage staff development in the Junior School, and you are a certified coach. Tell us something else about you that other people may not know?
One of my favourite hobbies is music – I love to play the flute and saxophone and I like writing music – I have written several school musicals. At the moment, I am learning to play the organ and I am the organist for the Church on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Your lovely dog, Betty, is an ESMS Therapet. Tell us how that came about, and how does she help to support mental health at ESMS?
When we first got Betty, I was spending time in school over the summer holidays. Betty dropped in on Holiday Club in Solway and I realised how great she was with children – even as a tiny puppy. As she grew up it, became apparent how calm she was and how she could tell when people (and in particular, children) needed some care and attention. We investigated various Therapy Pet options and started to train her to the requirements of a therapy pet. She was about to have her therapy pet final assessment just as the first Covid lockdown struck. Once Covid was over, we were able to finally have her assessment done, which she passed. She works with/for a company called Underdog International who provide therapy dogs for school visits (they also rescue dogs from war torn countries).
The children love to see Betty around the school, and we have had some visits to specific year groups and classes so that they can learn about her, what she does and how to be safe around dogs.
What is your best ESMS memory?
Probably our Christmas End of Term assembly in 2022. It was hours of hard work to pull together with the help of some amazingly talented colleagues, but the result was worth it – I don’t think the TFC has seen that amount of fun and laughter for a long time.
What is your proudest achievement?
Getting the Junior School through the pandemic – as part of the Junior School Leadership Team, we worked tirelessly and largely unseen by many of the staff and school families. Working out the logistics of lockdowns, key worker care and distance learning, and then how we would reopen safely. I remember an online leadership team meeting on Christmas Eve 2020 when we suddenly found out about the next lockdown, and I remember trudging through snow early in 2021 delivering learning packs to some of our children. I think Covid was hard for everyone, but I am proud of playing my small part in getting us through it.
What is the one thing you hope to have instilled in every child before they depart for senior school?
Try your best and be kind to each other.
How do you relax?
I love to spend time on Lindisfarne where we have a home. If I am not sewing or practising the organ, then you’ll find me either walking along St Cuthberts Beach or swimming in the sea.
Who is your hero?
My mum who was a nurse and a swimming teacher. She taught me to swim, sew, cook and bake, to do all sorts of crafts, and to be kind and look after other people.
Who would be at your fantasy dinner party?
I’m not sure this is something I’d really enjoy!! The best dinner party would be one with just a few close friends and family at a lovely restaurant. I had planned one for a ‘big birthday’ in April 2020 but never got to have it – one day I’ll get round to organising it again.
Do you have a motto that you live by?
It will be alright in the end, and if it’s not alright, then it’s not the end yet.
