We will be very sad to see Kay Webber, James Smith, Carol Rees, Bella Jones and Annabel Bush leave Moulsford this summer. We took the opportunity to ask them if they could tell us a little about their time at Moulsford, share some of the highlights and talk to us about their plans for the future.

Annabel Bush

In the summer of 2011, I popped into the school office to hand over documents to secure my eldest son Harry Bush’s place at Moulsford. Whilst I was sitting waiting to speak to Mrs Harley a conversation was being had between the head of learning support and Mr Higham, the headmaster, about the need for another learning support teacher. I piped up that I could do that! The following week I came in for an interview and started school with Harry in September.  What neither Harry nor I had anticipated was me becoming his class teacher for a term of cover too.

Running the Learning Support Department has been an incredible journey. Interventions have been challenging for some but on reflection transformative. Recent support groups have been such special events too. The highlight for me has been the learning support outings in the woods, at the trampoline or water park. I have been so lucky to work with an amazing team and incredible kids who have inspired me.

It has been an honour and a privilege to have worked at Moulsford. The school plays will always stand out in my memory, so much talent on show. The events are also remarkable, the Moulsford Mudder, Moulsford’s Got Talent and Activities Week to name but a few.  There are two sounds that will stay with me from Moulsford, laughter from splashing on the river and the click-clack of boots running out to the backfield. I am so proud to be a mother of three Old Moles; Harry, Edward and James.

Although I will no longer be working at Moulsford I will not lose touch with lifelong friendships. As a family, we will remain a part of the Moulsford Community. I am particularly looking forward to spending time planning and preparing a memorial garden for Edward Bush.

Bella Jones

I have been Head of Latin at Moulsford for two years although I have been lucky enough to teach here previously in the guise of an English teacher covering for an out-of-action Mr Martin a few years ago! I am incredibly proud of the boys I have taught during this time. Whilst not all share my love for the language, I am confident they have all developed a respect and appreciation for it! I have no doubt that Latin at Moulsford will continue to go from strength to strength and, happily, I will be able to keep in touch with the school via Mr Jones' daily updates!

I am taking a step away from teaching to pursue a new educational consultancy business and, perhaps more importantly, to be able to spend more time with our girls. Moulsford is a very special school, full of talented staff and delightful boys and set in the most stunning of locations. I will miss it! 

Carol Rees

Five years have flown by! I remember sitting in the old library on my first day, a September morning full of late summer sun, looking out through the window to the swimming pool and the lawns. The view made me smile.

Since then many things have changed in the library. Some things have changed with the view too - particularly now that the library has moved. My view is now of a playground teeming with noisy boys. Different, but it still makes me smile.

I’ve been very lucky to be a part of the community here for the last five years and I shall be sorry to say goodbye, but I’d like to spend some time actually reading books rather than arranging them on shelves and challenging children who say that “I definitely returned my book - I remember doing it”.

My parting emotion is to wish all of the children at Moulsford a happy time at school and a successful life (filled with happy book reading, of course!).

James Smith

It’s been a long and amazing journey spanning 24 years for me at Moulsford; from pupil to JTA to teacher. I started here in Year 3 in 1999 and left in 2005 as a Year 8 boy. I have absolutely incredible memories of the school as a child, and I relied heavily on the Learning Support department, without whom I would not have gotten into my secondary school (Bradfield College) with Cs. I have extremely fond memories of teachers, friends and the school ethos. So much so in fact, that when I was unsure what to do after uni, coming back as a gappy and reliving some of that, seemed a great choice. After a couple of years as a JTA, I joined the staff as a teacher, later becoming Head of History, Head of Tennis and Stretch & Challenge Lead.

During my time as a teacher, I taught not only history but also Latin and Humanities to Year 5, mental arithmetic to Year 4 and DT to Year 3. On the sporting side, I coached tennis to the whole Prep School, taking close to 100 fixtures in my time, as well as coaching all the other sports, which has been great fun. As a teacher, I tried to emulate Andy Southgate, the Head of History when I first started, to be innovative with teaching and inspiring the boys, particularly with my younger self in mind and being one of those pupils for whom reading and writing doesn’t come as naturally. The highlights of working here have been all the wonderful people I have worked alongside, the beautiful setting and all the fantastic events and sports which take place year-round.

My plans for the coming year are to travel around South East Asia with my partner, but I’m not sure what will come after that. I know I’ll be very very sad to be leaving Moulsford, and I owe the school an enormous debt of gratitude. It really has been fundamental in shaping who I am today. I feel privileged and proud to have been a little part of the Moulsford story and legacy.

Kay Webber

I have been at Moulsford for over 16 years. Initially, I joined as a Teaching Assistant in Year 3, then taught Geography and Maths for a few years before returning to being a TA in the Pre-Prep. My highlights are definitely a split between the football conversations with the boys over the years and the various exploits with the other members of staff, the Chocolate Club and the fantastic Pre-Prep crew.

I now feel it is time for a new challenge and am joining Fugro in Wallingford to work in their Land and Nearshore Departments. So bearing in mind I'll be nearby, I look forward to bumping into a few old pupils and their parents in Waitrose and discussing AFCB. I'll miss you all.

We invite you to leave any farewell messages you have for the departing staff in the comments box below.

Thank you!