 Mr Burrough, the Headmaster
Questions asked by Head Girl, Charlie Fleming and Montacute Hall Captain, Georgie Morton.
1. You look like a worldly man, what did you do before you came to Sunny Hill?
Worldly? Is that a compliment? I was always pretty convinced I wanted to teach, and began my career direct from York University at Frome College. Next I went to Welshpool in mid-Wales, before returning to my roots as Head of Maths at Foster’s School in Sherborne and then Head of Sixth Form at The Gryphon. Then I first saw the Gleam.
2. What do you think you would have been if you hadn't become a teacher?
Who knows? Given that I never possessed the skills to be a Somerset spin bowler or a successful actor, perhaps an accountant, lawyer, railway engineer or a politician.
3. When playing “pretend” as a child, what would your empty cardboard box become?
To this day I have a compulsion to tap out a rhythm which the box will amplify. Keep your eyes and ears open around school and you may witness this harmless fun.
4. It’s clear from your varied assemblies that you have a wide range of interests, where would you say your ideas come from?
I am fascinated by “facts”, opinions and beliefs and have always possessed what I now believe to be called intellectual curiosity. I hope I can encourage everyone in the room (a few at a time, week by week) to take an interest in the world, in humanity and in ideas, to find out more and endeavour to understand it. As you know, I am a passionate believer in education. The ideas come from newspapers (obituaries – well, the lives they record – can be truly inspirational), the radio and television, my own subconscious and, occasionally, “Ideas for School Assemblies” books and websites.
5. How, if at all, do you think the school has changed since you arrived?
Personnel changes year on year of course and different leadership brings different emphases but the essence of this fantastic school remains in the high quality of relationships, commitment, involvement, teaching and learning.
6. Are there any elements of Sunny Hill that you think will never change (not including the Art block loos)?
I fervently hope that the sheer good nature of Bruton girls will endure: self-confident, able to stand up for themselves, but mindful of others and never arrogant. We shall always be a girls’ school.
7. If you were a Sunny Hill school girl, how would you escape cross-country? Please use space provided for diagrams if necessary.
 I cannot possibly comment.
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 Mr Marsden, the Prep School Headmaster
Questions asked by Rosie Hunter and Enfys Evans (Prep 6)
1. What’s your name?
Mr Marsden
2. How old are you?
53 years of age
3. What made you want to teach here?
I came here to teach science part time, but I was so impressed by the politeness and manners of the girls, and how well they worked that I wanted to teach here full time.
4. What’s the worst thing about your job?
The worst thing about my job is probably not having enough time to complete all of the tasks that I would like to.
5. What’s the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is getting to work with young lively minded girls who are caring and respectful.
6. Do you think that you’re a good Headmaster?
I have failings and success as does anyone in any job, and really that question is for someone else to answer.
7. Do you enjoy teaching here?
Yes, definitely!
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 Miss Donaldson, the Head of Sixth Form
Questions asked by the Gleam Team
1. What were you like as a Sixth Former?
Invisible. I did, though, start enjoying the subjects and I completely fell in love with English, which, although it was not my strongest A Level, became my favourite. Although the staff at my school openly disliked each other, my year group was the best anyone could remember for friendliness. School was not a happy place for me, but my friends kept me going, and I was their agony aunt too.
2. How do you expect to stamp your mark on the Sunny Hill Sixth Form?
By listening and learning as fast and thoroughly as I can. It is 12 years since I was a sixth Form tutor! I want to lead by example, but it is the girls’ stamp that most needs to be on Sunny Hill Sixth Form, and their example that will best lead the rest of the school.
3. What are your best and worst character traits?
Best: I can make people smile in even the worst situations.
Worst: Not thinking forward enough, putting things off, not keeping in touch with my friends enough, not finishing what I…
4. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Three things I can never forget:
‘Never underestimate the power of rubbish.’ Bernie Millard, former colleague and mentor. I like to apply this to my own creative work!
‘If you ever forget what it feels like to be 15 years old, give up teaching.’ Gary Matthews, Head of English at my first school.
‘Just listen.’ I have forgotten who said that. Probably God.
5. What is your greatest achievement to date?
The series of silly stories I have written and illustrated for my nieces and nephews, and my book Hangin’ Out, written for my friend Lucy Cole; I consider this my masterpiece!
6. What is the most exciting thing you’ve ever done (outside teaching, of course!)?
Being a soloist in Mozart’s Requiem, and especially my duet in the Benedictus with a real musician, Erica Jeal. It was unbelievably daunting and wonderful.
7. What would you put in Room 101?
Bedford. If you go there you will find out why. On the other hand, I hope I have saved you the trouble!
That plastic packaging on things that you can only get into by biting, attacking with scissors, hedge-trimmer, chainsaw…pointless, wasteful and guaranteed to induce shouting and general rage.
Reality TV: self-indulgent, narcissistic rubbish. Harmless? I don’t think so.
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 Miss Wedgwood, Head of Hall (Stourhead)
Questions asked by the Gleam Team
1. If you could invite any two people to dinner, who would they be?
Indiana Jones! He would probably be the best person to ask for advice on escaping from tombs! (Editor – you will have to ask Miss Wedgwood on her tomb experience!) I would also invite Bill Bryson, to pick his brains about his book, A Short History of Nearly Everything. He comes across as being very intelligent, and would be able to tell amazing travel stories.
2. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Antartica. The diversity of wildlife within such extreme conditions is amazing, and it is one of the few places on Earth that is untouched and unspoilt by man. Also, you gotta see it before it melts!
3. What would be your three essential items to have with you on a desert island?
If I was stuck on a desert island, then I would have the time to play and continue teaching myself the guitar, so that would be my first item. I would take my mountain bike to keep fit, learn some tricks on it and get around the island. Lastly, I would take a towel. This is probably the most versatile and useful item; you could use it to sleep under, wash with; you could even use it as a parachute.
4. What is the best book you have every read?
My favourite book has to be His Dark Materials, the trilogy by Phillip Pullman. In it, he presents a different view of the existence of God and the nature of existence.
5. What is the best film you have ever seen?
Chariots of Fire is perhaps the best film I have ever seen. It’s all about the idea of belief leading to success, which makes it so inspiring.
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