La Vie En Rose for Veronica Kean!

Veronica Kean writes: “I am sure that you will all remember that at the end of term you would sit down with your form tutor and reflect on your achievements and set targets for your future goals. After 16 years of teaching at LEH, I am now reflecting on all the changes that have taken place since 2006.

There have been changes to the curriculum, lesson timings, a new week A and week B timetable, the use of iPads throughout the school alongside many impressive physical changes: smart Sixth Form common rooms, a swanky theatre, a stunning art block, amazing music rooms, a new pupil dining room, the Gateway Building with new IT suites, a beautiful swimming pool and activity studio, the Q building, new numbering for the classrooms, a gate in the fence between Hampton and LEH and the younger years being allowed to use the Sixth Form corridor!

What are your enduring memories of LEH? Sitting on the floor in Assembly, particular lessons or certain teachers, taking exams in the Sports Hall or competing in matches, Sports Day, the Carol Service or Leavers’ concert, House drama and school productions or just hanging out with your friends.

For me, it will be all the MFL school trips, the French exchanges to Béthune, Paris and Marseille or study trips to Nice and the Camargue. Memories of one Sixth Form A level student eagerly getting on the wrong métro train, the doors closing and her friends creasing up with laughter, as her train pulled out of the station.  Being an LEH girl she simply got off at the next station and made her way back to the awaiting group!

Other memorable French experiences include arguing with a ticket inspector in Nice as one of the girls had not validated her ticket correctly, horse riding in the Camargue, going around Arles in a searing heat wave or watching a French sketch and dance routine in the hotel dining room, travelling on Eurostar and oversize cuddly souvenirs from Disneyland Paris.

The school will of course continue to change and evolve, and staff will come and go but some things will remain constant: the passion of the teachers for their subject and the joy of working with remarkable young people who make teaching such an inspiring career.

I have been so privileged to have taught at LEH and, as I embark upon my retirement, will always cherish my 16 years here. I have loved being a form tutor to my L4 and U4 tutor groups over the years, being Head of French and teaching groovy grammar to my wonderful GCSE and A level groups. Non, je ne regrette rien!”