Committee Profiles |
Clare Mellish: Adviser for Dance, Hertfordshire
I first became a member of the Hertfordshire CDTA when I moved to St Albans to take up the position of Head of Dance and Drama at Townsend School in 1990. Since then I have taken the roles of committee member, Secretary, Chair and LA Co-ordinator and have watched the association grow in strength and stature. The first festival my students performed in showcased only 12 other schools! The CDTA provides a fantastic opportunity to share expertise, brainstorm and promote high quality dance activity across Hertfordshire. |
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Michele Chapman: Treasurer
I teach at Stanborough School and have taught there within the PE Department for the last ten years. I am Head of Dance and teach KS3, GCSE and am hoping to teach the Btec National Award in September 2008. We have a dance display every 2 years involving around 200 students and a school musical every 2 years. We have been involved in the last 5 County Dance Festivals. |
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Lindsey Riggott Jones: Secretary
I have been teaching PE at Beaumont School for 8 years. I am the lead teacher of Dance and spend time encouraging others in the department!! Dance is taught in KS3 and through GCSE PE at KS4. In September 2008 we are hoping to start a Dance course a examination level. Our dance is showcased through the annual gym and dance display where many styles of dance are amalgamated with great enthusiasm. I also enter a piece into the County Dance Festival which is always a treat. |
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Amanda Battersby
I am Head of Dance at Queen’s School, Bushey and an AST Dance teacher in Hertfordshire. I teach KS3 and GCSE dance and am focussing on promoting and encouraging boys dance. |
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Kate Brown
I am the Lead Teacher for Dance at Barnwell Business and Enterprise School, responsible for dance at key stage 3, 4 and 5. I am keen to build links with local primary and special schools and currently have several groups of Dance Leaders involved in projects with local schools. I am very interested in raising the profile and involvement of boys in dance at Barnwell. |
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Louise Coates
I am Subject Leader for Dance at St Mary’s Catholic School in Bishop’s Stortford (Performing Arts Specialist School). I teach KS3, GCSE and A Level Dance as well as Performing Arts Btec National Award, Level 3. I have a particular interest in community and outreach work running a strong primary links project with our 6 main feeder schools and participation in regional opportunities. |
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Nicola Haynes
I am Head of Dance/Assistant Head of Performing Arts at Sheredes School in Hoddesdon. I have been teaching dance for 7 years, ranging from teaching primary to 6th form students, covering KS3, GCSE and Btec Dance. I also spent 4 years dancing as a professional, after graduating from Italia Conti Stage School in 2000. I thoroughly enjoy helping students succeed in the Performing Arts industry. |
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Judith Wright
I am a Dance specialist, teaching Dance (and some PE) at Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School. We offer dance up to GCSE and will be introducing the Leadership in Dance course from September. |
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Jeff Gentry
I am Deputy and PE Co-ordinator at Wilbury Junior School, Letchworth. Having enjoyed taking children to 2 consecutive County Dance Festivals I wanted to ‘put something back’ to help promote dance both within the school and outside. |
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Rebecca Philo
I have been the PE Co-ordinator at St Joseph’s Primary, Waltham Cross since starting there 3 years ago. We took part in last year’s County Dance Festival and enjoyed it so much that I decided to get more involved with the CDTA!! I am currently teaching Year 6 dance but have set up an after school dance club which will be available to all age groups on a rotation basis – Reception to Year 6. |
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Christine Rajchel
I trained in Canada before joining Amwell View School in Spring 2007, as their Dance Specialist. I am focussing on the growth of dance as a subject throughout the school, with the intention of exploring other subject areas as a basis for teaching. I am passionate to shares my love of dance with the children at Amwell View. The school has recently been awarded ‘outstanding’ in their Ofsted report, achieved Sports College Status, and is constructing a brand new dance studio that is near completion! Exciting times! |
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Julia Laird
I am a specialist PE teacher of pupils with severe learning difficulties at Watling View School. I have really enjoyed taking part in the last 5 County Dance Festivals with my pupils. |
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Lisa Herbert
I teach dance from reception to Year 6 at Middleton MLD School in Ware. the school will be involved in the Primary Dance Festival at Castle Hall and also the Special Schools’ Dance Festival for the first time this year, plus a joint workshop with Sheredes Secondary School. All of which is proving to be a really exciting time for pupils at Middleton. |
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Emma Poole
I started my journey through dance at the Nobel School in Stevenage in 2003, teaching PE and Dance. We entered the County Dance Festival last year and enjoyed the experience so much that I jumped at the chance to join the CDTA committee. I am now Head of Girls’ PE at the Sele School in Hertford and line manager Dance. We are looking forward to getting ‘stuck in’ with the County Dance Festival next year and developing dance at Sele through community based projects. |
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Lucy Ward
This is my third year of teaching GCSE Dance and second year of teaching AS/A2 Level Dance. I have introduced Dance Leadership into KS5 at Knight’s Templar School and we participated in the County Dance Festival for the first time last year. I believe the experience is one all dance teachers should be involved in. |
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