Reviews

Sue is an inspiration to children and colleagues alike, with her creative flair and think-outside-the-box approach in helping children become the very best versions of themselves - both academically and more widely. We are truly lucky to have Science Sue, and so appreciate all she brings to school life, both in and out of the classroom.

Science Sue's teaching is effervescent. She understands young minds in their infinite variety, and how to get the best out of them. Sue's love of science shines through her lessons; she makes exploring and learning a fascinating process. Her pupils are engaged and animated by Sue's enthusiasm, and so they work hard to succeed.

I remember starting at the Merlin and being immediately intimidated by how well organised Sue was. It was my first teaching role and Sue appeared to me to be someone already familiar with the school, to understand Jane Addis and her idiosyncratic approach, and know how to win respect and love from staff and students alike. She breezed in (or was already there) each morning and her classroom was immaculate, work displayed neatly, lessons planned to perfection. I suppose I don't know if this was all actually the case, or she was winging it a bit more like the rest of us, however, to me, she seemed effortlessly professional and smart. During breaks she was the one to talk to, the one with the funny anecdotes and interesting and intelligent observations. I learnt a lot from being on the staff with Sue and she was always happy to share advice and help. The Sue, in my memory, has endless energy and enthusiasm, is competitive and ambitious, and knows a lot about a lot. Fiercely proud of her boys and very family focused. She was always great fun in and out of school, quick to laugh and full of wit. Even though we haven't seen each other for many years I feel I'm very lucky to know her and be able to call her a friend.

Sue is an engaging teacher who always inspires children to reach their full potential while developing confidence and pride in their achievements. Science topics come alive with relatable, exciting links and self-discovery. A joy to work with; supportive, funny and so creative.

Sue is an inspirational teacher. Her science lessons are fun, relevant and highly interactive! Sue has an ability to engage children from their very first lesson in Reception all the way through to the thrill of the Year 3 leavers Science Party! Every lesson is carefully developed so that each child, while working within their ability, is challenged to extend their understanding. It was a privilege to work alongside Sue and see the children come away from their science lessons brimming with joy, full of knowledge and a feeling of achievement.

There is nothing more exciting than watching a child truly grow in confidence and enjoy exploring expression through characterisation during rehearsals and finally through performance. This is an area of expertise that Drama Sue excels at. With her many years of writing and directing plays, from The Sword in the Stone to Heracles, Robin Hood and many more, Drama Sue has given her young actors a real taste of the excitement, joy and confidence that comes from an energy created in her rehearsal space that is magic to be involved in for the actors and wonderful to witness as a member of the audience.

Science Sue! What a privilege it has been to work with you and develop a very precious friendship. You are an inspiration in the classroom, bringing learning to life with such creativity, energy and joy, making every lesson an adventure. You inspire curiosity, confidence and wonder in your teaching. Whatever you turn your hand to, there's always a touch of the Science Sue magic about it. Oh yes, where would we be without laughter 😆, Les Dawson, hairy scary castles, squirrels, elephant 💥 and a whole lot more….! Happy 60th Birthday!

Science Sue is brilliant at inspiring and exciting children. She is an extraordinary educationalist whose knowledge and passion has benefited the lives of children across South West London. As a colleague she is supportive, encouraging and one of the best people I have ever worked with.

Science Sue's eagle eyes catch every detail, and her legendary dissection lesson inspires curiosity and confidence. With engaging experiments and genuine passion, she turns science into an exciting, hands-on journey that students never forget.

Dear Science Sue, Thank you so much for inspiring Josie and Lewis! We will never forget the Love of Three Oranges play. Your talent as a playwright is amazing - what a unique, extraordinary and memorable achievement it was. Have you considered publishing all the amazing plays you've written over the years? You should!

Science/Drama Sue! Hope you have a wonderful day and are thoroughly celebrated as you very much deserve to be. Thank you for all of your amazing contributions. You have shaped and inspired so many young minds - something to be very proud of. We still say are you sitting on your Botticellis and your and Mrs Prest's wonderful videos got us through lockdown!!

Science Sue! What an amazing inspirational teacher! I have no doubt she had a huge influence on James and James's love of science. Such a rarity to find someone who was brave enough to inspire such young kids with what others would believe to be too complicated for them at that age. I remember james also telling me that he dominated the interview at colet court telling Mr Meunier all about the heart dissection! 🤣 just brilliant.

Dearest Science Sue - Wishing you a very happy 60th birthday from all the Fewings! Hoping there's not too much resting on your Botticelli on the big day! So many wonderful memories shared amongst the whole family of your inspirational teaching and humour! Cocoa cola stripping a 2 p piece and what must it be doing to your gut - you should have been on National TV -it would have saved our nation's gut, teeth and money! Except maybe best kept secret, were your dance moves wearing a crash helmet 🤣! With lots of love from us all for a wonderful 60th birthday!

What an amazing woman, teacher and inspiration. Thanks from the Hill family for everything.

Science Sue! Romeo — is now 14 and mysteriously 6'3", which shocks us too! He remembers every topic that set his brain buzzing, and how the whole class prayed for a Science Superstar sticker… a badge he earned and still treasures thanks to you. You taught that energy never disappears — Much like your patience through the years. And though you're sixty (don't panic… stay calm), You're still more stable than sodium in a palm. So here's to you, our science star, Still glowing hotter than a quasar. May your birthday be a grand breakthrough… Happy 60th, brilliant Science Sue! 🧪✨

Science Sue has been an incredible inspiration to our son, Theo. Her energy, passion, and creativity sparked his curiosity and have certainly made science his favourite subject. Thank you for sowing the seeds of joy for learning.

Both our boys absolutely love science and remember Merlin very fondly. Monty specifically after his very special four years with you all. He has excelled in science and still loves the subject and everything it offers. Science Sue's passion for everything science definitely set him off on the path to being a positive and engaged scientist. If professional rugby player doesn't happen, it's definitely something he really enjoys. 😉 That along with history and Latin! Seb only had a short year with you all but has such fond memories. He says he always looked forward to going up the stairs to see Science Sue and her lessons. He has a great grasp of everything science too and always gets good feedback. He got 86% for his first proper test from his forces module...! From our point of view Science Sue was such a positive and happy teacher who demonstrated her passion for Science and teaching in everything she did. The plays the children put on were always such fun with everyone managing to do something with a smile on their faces. The children clearly loved and respected her and knew she always meant business in her lessons. Not a skill to be underestimated! Thanks for your energy and enthusiasm and many happy returns!

Science Sue taught three of my sons and is still remembered very fondly in our house - a truly inspirational (and humorous) science teacher! A huge happy birthday!

Always lovely to hear from you. Science Sue! What an amazing inspirational teacher! I have no doubt she had a huge influence on James and James's love of science. Such a rarity to find someone who was brave enough to inspire such young kids with what others would believe to be too complicated for them at that age. I remember james also telling me that he dominated the interview at colet court telling Mr Meunier all about the heart dissection! 🤣 just brilliant.

Dear Science Sue, your amazing Year 3 production of Galileo and The Starry Night is now legendary in our whole family and no other stage production has managed to surpass it! Thank you for all you have done - and continue to do - for all the young Merlins; inspiring them with a lifelong interest the wonders of science in so many exciting ways! Your Zoom videos with Mrs Prest during the Pandemic will not be forgotten either and provided the Merlin community with a comforting daily lifeline during such an uncertain time of isolation. All our very best wishes!

How well we remember your energy in daily greetings at the school gate; On stage we felt the electricity and butterflies as we learned our lines and sang our chords; We seemed to defy gravity when were selected for the top table and of course the Goslet awards! These were the things that mattered to us and magnetised the Merlin crew; You shine so bright that Galileo Galilei would have named one of the stars on the Merlin Hat as 'Sirius Sue'. You set many forces in motion and we are still giving it a go: Drew is a main part in the Bermuda panto!

Science Sue the backbone and beating heart of Merlin School. She knew every child, not just by name, but knew them well - their strengths and their fears. She inspired and encouraged in science lessons. She boosted creativity and confidence by writing and designing the most original drama plays. Always working incredibly hard behind the scenes. Devoted, passionate and Inspired.

Science Sue! How much fun you made learning and the exciting activities we did!!!! One of which being the study of the eye. I remember being blindfolded and you gave us raw, peeled tomatoes, and had to poke our fingers in them to work out what we were about to study! We all thought were real eyeballs!! Such a fun way to learn and something I remember very fondly. Equally the amazing plays you directed which definitely added to my love of performing that has not wavered since and I'm now studying at university.

Science Sue - In your mysterious laboratory, we learnt some very interesting things - who used mentos and coke in science lessons? Sue did…..to show us chemical reactions and the release of gas from the coke bottle! And we parachuted eggs out of windows to find out about gravity and air resistance! Great fun and still remembered! Also, to put a pea size amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush for heathy teeth! 🦷! And of course, we learnt to sit on our 'botticelli's' correctly! 😆 Thanks Science Sue! Great fun!

An epic drama and science prof! Happy 60th Birthday Sue

Science Sue was such an inspiring teacher. I still remember the hilarious lesson when she tricked us into holding skinned tomatoes (with blindfolds) pretending they were eye balls… always brilliant fun and dramatic teaching. I'm now doing A-Level Biology!

Big thanks to Mrs DJ for many happy afternoons spent the her science classroom filled with skeletons and sitting precariously perched over the Merlin entrance!

What can we say - thank you for all those wonderful early years learning science and growing in confidence through drama!

Science Sue - thank you for making Science so fun and interesting for me from such a young age!

Dear Science Sue, Thank you for the amazing journey I had at Merlin! I will always remember my favourite classroom - the Science lab! I remember it exactly! Our Galileo play in year 3 and our Alphabet play are great memories too.