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Published on February 1st, 2016 | by Perrin

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My Shout

My Shout
Q&A with the inspirational Vivienne Resch, long standing Head Teacher of Slade Primary School, in the heart of old Tonbridge.

(1) Q: How long have you been in teaching and how long as Head of Slade?
A: I have been teaching for 32 years, that is when I started my first teaching job but I taught people by instinct even when I was at primary school myself, I used to translate the teacher’s instructions into simpler words so my friend could understand what to do. I also gave riding lessons to a little girl who lived in my village when I was about 11 years old. I have been Headteacher at Slade for 16 years it will be 17 in April, I have loved every minute and there is never a dull moment. Education is so fast changing there is never time to stand still.
(2) Q: What’s the best thing about being Head there? A: The children! The joy they share, the pleasure of seeing them have that light bulb moment and seeing the progress they make.
(3) Q: What would you have done if you hadn’t been a teacher? A: I would have liked to be a helicopter pilot! But I was always going to be a teacher- besides the RAF didn’t take women as pilots when I was at school!
(4) Q: You’re a very happy looking person, what makes you smile the most? A: I love those funny moments when a child says something magical or when they come and say thank you for something completely unexpectedly. I enjoy the simple pleasures like seeing a blue sky and seeing the changing seasons.
(5) Q: You must be very proud of your staff. What’s your secret for keeping them so motivated? A: The staff make a great team. I call them my, “Dream Team.” Teaching is a very giving profession, I think they get pleasure from seeing the successes of the children.
(6) Q: How did the children treat new MP, Tom Tugenhat, on his recent visit? A: They really enjoyed his visit and asked some interesting questions, in particular it was valuable for them to hear how the British system of government is organised.
(7) Q: Being so close to the Castle must make you feel like the school is part of the history of the town? A: It is a great privilege to be part of Slade, it feels as though it is a very well loved school. We celebrated the School’s centenary in 2007 and it was wonderful to meet all the past pupils and hear their memories of the school. I really enjoyed the moment when one four year old pupil cut the celebration cake with the oldest ex-pupil who was 84 years old.
(8) Q: What do you most like about Tonbridge? (apart from Slade of course!) A: I have very fond memories of the park, when I first became Head teacher, my son who was 6 years old, used to come to work with me in the holidays and we would go to the park for a treat. The park is a good place for children to meet to play together and get some fresh air.
(9) Q: What do you do when you’re not at Slade? A: I swim regularly, take long walks with my dog and I have recently taken up horse riding again which I find very relaxing. I also like to visit my family, travel and read lots of books.
(10)Q: What other challenges in life are there in store for you? A: I enjoy new experiences, I have a list of things I would like to do! I had some flying lessons a couple of years ago which I loved. I swam with a dolphin, tried paragliding and many, many years ago I used to scuba dive. In the future I would like to have a ride on an elephant and visit Vienna.


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