Nursery Team Introduction

An Introduction to the Nursery Team

For this week’s #FridayIntroduction we had the pleasure of chatting with our wonderful Nursery Team. Working for Emily Willetts, Head of Nursery & Pre-Prep is our Nursery Manager, Sian Hickmott who is in charge of the whole Nursery team. 

Sian previously worked at St Helens Primary giving one-to-one support in Reception class, she was also Manager at the Children's House Montessori Nursery School in Bembridge. Sian loves the friendly, family atmosphere here at Ryde and said she is keen to further develop the outdoor learning and practical life experiences.

Working closely with Sian is Hannah Hurn  who has worked as the Deputy Manager of Nursery since September 2022. Prior to Ryde, Hannah worked as a Room Manager at Tops Day Nursery. Hannah loves the sense of community within the School where all staff and students support each other. Hannah is keen to develop new ideas for our new Nursery opening in September. 

Nursery Assistant, Penny Ong has worked here for an amazing 22 years! We asked Penny what she loves most about her position and why she has stayed so long, she said “I love the innocence and honesty of the little ones, it’s the most rewarding job anyone can do”. Before joining, Penny lived and worked in Singapore for The British Association and for a private nursery school.

Nursery Assistant Emma Cooke joined Ryde in 2022. Emma loves working at Ryde 'the role is very rewarding and the children make me smile every day, I am honoured to witness their growing independence'. Emma is a Registered Paediatric Nurse and worked at St. Mary’s Hospital Children’s Ward as a Senior Paediatric Nurse for 20 years before joining Ryde.  Emma said she loves the emphasis on traditional values “the children are polite and considerate of themselves and others. My first week, every face I saw had a smile for me and a hello, I felt so welcome”.

Mimi Brophy, also a Nursery Assistant, has been here for a year and a half after joining us after finishing Sixth Form here at Ryde. Mimi loves working with the children in the nursery. It’s such a rewarding job and every day brings a new challenge and lots of laughter.  Mimi has secured a place to study at the Norland College in Bath from this September so will miss everyone very much.

Amy Townson has worked at Ryde for 12 years, mostly in Nursery, plus two years in Year 1 as Teaching Assistant. Amy now works half of her time in Year 1 and half in Nursery. Prior to Ryde, Amy worked in retail for many years before retraining in education.

Nursery Assistant Aimee Hodnitt started in January this year after being at Ryde School as a student since nursery herself! Aimee said the School “feels like a family and you're always welcome back”. Aimee will be off to university in September to study Primary Teaching. 

We asked the team their favourite places on the Isle of Wight, Sian chose to be anchored in Newtown Creek, Hannah chose Totland Bay going kayaking and Penny said the cycle tracks Arreton to Cowes. Emma chose Osborne House for the tranquillity, Mimi chose lovely Godshill,  Amy added St Helen's Green where she spent many happy times as a child and  Aimee’s favourite is the woodlands when the bluebells are blooming.