She’ s been fair and kind and brilliant in disciplinary situations; it’ s unpleasant for students to be interviewed, especially if they are not entirely forthcoming in the first instance. However, she is calm, rational and helps students to learn from their mistakes; she respects nuance and extenuating circumstances, such as SEN or family or personal issues.
One of the many reasons I’ m sad to lose her is because it has been amazing to have her‘ in the trench’ alongside me. The students make close friends at Sevenoaks, and sometimes the staff do too. I have worked alongside Clare for four years, and yet it feels like just the beginning. I hope and expect that we will be lifelong friends.
CLARE IVES
Clare Ives is a force – a remarkable human being and outstanding colleague. She is one of the most exceptional people that I have met in teaching. I knew this when I first met her: on my interview notes I wrote‘ she will be a Head – soon’. And she has exceeded my expectations. She is principled, with remarkable clarity of thought. She is firm and yet kind. She works tirelessly and finds meaning and purpose in work, which compels her to do it well.
Many colleagues and students will have encountered Clare in different aspects of school life: the History department, playing her double bass, playing tennis, refereeing netball or on a school trip. She does everything to a high standard, yet with warmth and humour. She has helped the school make great strides in EDI: leading assemblies, forming working groups of staff and students, and arranging surveys and outside speakers. In an organisation like Sevenoaks, EDI work is never complete, but Clare has helped us to make progress in individual cases and overall with the student body. We are all grateful for her contributions and leadership.
I know leaving Sevenoaks is very hard for Clare too. Her values and principles align with this school, and she has relished working with colleagues throughout the school. She knows that Sevenoaks is not ultimately about great results or facilities – it’ s about the people, relationships and the community. The staff here are incredibly committed, as she is, and I know she’ s won many colleagues over. She has also earned the respect of students, even those whom she’ s had to discipline.
I spoke to Upper Sixth leavers about leaving well, and the ancient Athenian oath of leaving a place better than you found it. Clare made Sevenoaks better: she added so much, every day. She will say she learned from me, but I learned from her and I appreciated that she challenged me regularly.
Jesse Elzinga
148 VALETE