The early 21st century saw Julia move into boarding as housemistress alongside Cameron at Lambardes . She brought her love of the great outdoors to the young boarders , many of whom had never previously set foot in the UK , by setting up a rescue chicken programme , starting a Lambardes allotment and undertaking a pond-building project .
More recently , Julia has been Head of Vocal and Instrumental Studies , a post where she has worked closely with the ITL and Learning Support departments , producing extensive SEN resources and insightful information on how we have been able to improve our provision for every young musician . Associated Board exam scores rocketed in this time . Julia devised and subsequently expanded the ‘ free first term ’ initiative , which stimulated interest in underrepresented instruments , and worked very closely with the Assistant Bursar to widen the distribution of music bursaries in line with other areas in the school .
JULIA KIGGELL
Arriving at Sevenoaks School in the last century , Julia has been an ever-present member of staff , not just in the Music department , but also in the wider school where she has been a huge personality and lively presence . Back in those heady days of the 20th century , you would find Julia popping up running the Music department ’ s technology programme , entering prize-winning bands into the Music for Youth competition , organising the careers advice , coaching the girls ’ cross country , while still squeezing in time to organise staff social activities as secretary to the Common Room .
All this merely scratches at the surface of someone who has embraced a much wider position at Sevenoaks . Julia has run the Army section of the CCF , been an enthusiastic and caring Lower School tutor and a trailblazer for curling ; starting from a base of zero , Sevenoaks won the English novice championships three times . As a teacher of Music and IGCSE examiner , Julia has been an enormous help to me and to others in the department grappling with the myriad of vagaries which is the new IBDP music syllabus .
Quite who the three people will be who we need to replace Julia , I ’ m not yet sure ! We certainly won ’ t find everything that Julia has accomplished in one , or even two people . Her departure will leave holes in the school ’ s fabric , but we wish her every success as she enters the next exciting phase of her life .
Christopher Dyer
156 FOUNDATION , FRIENDS AND FAREWELL