Much-loved history teacher Jacquetta Devine is to retire from Dame Allan’s and ‘embrace new challenges’ after 23 years at the Schools.
Since joining the History department in 2000, Jacquetta has shared her love of the subject with more than 2,600 Allanians and describes her years at the Senior School as ‘an absolute joy’.
” I very quickly realised how blessed I was to be accepted into the Dame Allan’s family; it’s a very special place indeed,” says Jacquetta, who held the position of Head of History for 16 years. “It stands out for me because of the special relationships that exist between staff and pupils. In many ways, it’s a unique workplace.”
Jacquetta, who started her teaching career in 1986 having studied Medieval and Modern History at the University of Liverpool before taking a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at Newcastle University, credits her ‘inspirational colleagues’ for her longevity at Dame Allan’s.
“There have been so many individuals who have enriched my teaching life, provided comradeship and generously given of their time and experience. Those working relationships, and the mutual respect for the talents, skills and professionalism of others, are humbling,” she shares. “I have worked alongside the most wonderful people, and I appreciate their kindness and care more than I could ever say.”
Aside from teaching history, Jacquetta was Assistant Head of Lower School DABS for 11 years and held various tutoring positions in both the Boys’ School and the Sixth Form.
She adds: “The Schools not only deliver an excellent education, but also mould and develop confident, curious and interesting young adults. They go out into the world well-equipped for its many challenges and thrive in a myriad of different environments.”
As a World Challenge school leader, Jacquetta has supported pupils to travel the globe, accompanying groups to Norway, Peru, China, India, Botswana and Namibia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. In June, she travelled to Eswatini and Mozambique for her final school expedition.
She has also joined six Geography field trips to Iceland and travelled to Germany, France and Poland on numerous History, RS and language excursions. She says “I’ve enjoyed Duke of Edinburgh expeditions; spent a day crawling deep underground in the limestone caves of Bull Pot; slept under the stars; scrambled in gorges; and clung on for dear life to the ‘death swing’ at Derwent Hill! I’ve fallen over repeatedly in my feeble attempts to learn to ski and have laughed so hard at times in the staffroom that my sides have hurt.”
Jacquetta’s three children, Camilla, Genevieve and George, attended Dame Allan’s Schools between 2003 and 2013. With her third grandchild due in September, Jacquetta says it’s time to retire.
“I will dearly miss my pupils, friends and colleagues, but the time has come to move on and embrace new challenges,” says Jacquetta. “I want to delve into art classes; ramble along lay lines; climb hills for as long as my knees allow; dust off my rucksack and explore this beautiful world; meet and be inspired by fascinating people; and continue to learn Portuguese.
“Whilst I will miss the hustle and bustle of school life, I know that I have made friendships here that will last the rest of my life.”
Jacquetta’s role will be in safe hands; her former pupil Emma Tyndall is returning to Dame Allan’s in September to take up the History Teacher position.