VALETE
Katia Grobecker | Nurse Since joining Pipers in 2019 Katia has shown exceptional commitment to her role as one of the two School nurses. Katia has been a highly valued member of the pastoral team and many of us have learnt from her wealth of experience as well as benefitted from her support and friendship. Katia has been a rock to many pupils. Her calm, consistent care and endless patience and support will be sorely missed. Katia has liaised well with parents and when necessary outside agencies, tirelessly chasing them to get the support the student needed. For Katia it is always about the students and her empathy for and focus on them has enriched many lives. Katia has loved working at Pipers she says but sadly the commute to New Zealand where she will return with her family just won’t work.
Karen Ingrams | Teacher of Physics Karen joined Pipers Corner in 1999, initially as an assistant science technician and was promoted to senior technician in 2001. She was inspired to train as a teacher in 2007 and Pipers were delighted to welcome her back as a qualified physics teacher in 2010. Karen is a highly committed, considerate and organised teacher with a meticulous attention to detail. Her dedication and commitment to the students and the school is second to none and this was particularly evident when she stepped up as acting head of Physics. Karen has taught students from Years 6 to 13 and has led the STEM Crest awards at school for many years, encouraging students to think independently and get ‘hands on’ with STEM projects. She has inspired many students and has a wonderful rapport with all age groups. Karen has also played a wider role in the school community accompanying many students on ski trips, twice to Italy and once to America. Karen is a keen gardener, and we hope retirement will allow her time to indulge her passion whilst spending more time with her grandchildren. Karen will be hugely missed by everyone in the school.
Alison Field | Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages Alison Field joined Pipers almost 20 years ago! In her early days, life was so different for this new German teacher. There was a different Head Teacher. There were Boarders. There were no Interactive White Boards and reports were not written on ISAMS! She has championed the virtues of German almost single-handed and promoted the students’ appreciation of the Germanic culture with her regular Osnabrück Exchange trip organised each year in collaboration with the RGS. In the face of diminishing numbers nationally taking up GCSE and A Level German, Alison continued to fly the flag for the subject in spite of its minority status. She rose to the challenges of the digital world and continued to move the German 52
