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Yvette Bonfante - Director of Studies

 

We welcome Mrs Yvette Bonfante to the Junior School and hope that she will enjoy working with both boys and staff alike.  Have a read of her profile below to find out a little bit about her... 

My earliest memory as a child was arriving at the Reception class at St Gregory's Primary school in Lydiate and refusing to let go of my Mother's hand, while screaming at the top of my voice.

I'm happy to say that my first day at Merchant Taylor's Junior Boys' School was slightly less intimidating and much quieter. After my first term in Reception, at St Gregory's, I had firmly decided that I wanted to be a teacher. I could write on the board in chalk, I could take a register and I was very keen to tell everyone else what to do. It was only later on, when I was actually training to be a teacher, that I realised the teaching profession was much more challenging and rewarding than I had first anticipated. In fact, I spent four years training and preparing to become a teacher and in 1995, I graduated with a B.Ed. This year was to prove particularly important in my life as, as well as graduating, I met my future husband. Some of you may know him as Mr Bonfante, Head of Biology in the Senior School.

I joined the staff of Runnymede St Edward's School soon after graduation and was to spend the next fifteen years of my teaching career there. I often think that some of the older children I taught when I arrived at Runnymede, may now have children of their own and that makes me feel quite old, even though I'm not!(That's what you think! - PW)

During my time at Runnymede, I taught from Nursery to Year 6. I also had my three children, Emilia, Elizabeth and Joseph, who have taught me a lot and reminded me what it's like to be a child, sometimes grown-ups can forget!

Being a mother, wife and Director of Studies at Merchant Taylor's Junior Boys' School keeps me rather busy and when I'm not going to choir, drama, ballet, swimming, country dancing, flute lessons, etc with my children, I actually have time to do what I enjoy: reading, singing, going to concerts and watching Arsenal play (I would normally throw in a comment here but Arsenal....I'm speechless! - PW). Well my husband enjoys watching them play and makes the rest of the family watch them!

I am very proud to be the new Director of Studies at Merchant Taylor's Junior Boys' School and look forward to working with all who are associated with the school.