House values: Empathy, Commitment and Organisation
Head of House: Mr Burgess
Who is Mary Seacole?
Mary Seacole was a British Jamaican nurse and businesswoman who set up the British hotel behind the lines during the Crimean War. In 1855 she assisted the wounded at the military hospital and was a familiar figure at the transfer points from casualties from the front. She provided succor for the wounded service men on the battlefield, nursing many back to health. She even turned her home into a hospital. Seacole was named by soldiers as ‘Mother Seacole’.
What does Seacole represent?
Mary Seacole represents the school values of empathy, commitment and organisation.
Painting of Mary Seacole created by the Year 9 Art Club.
An introduction from Mr Burgess – Head of Seacole, Teacher of PE
Before starting at Vandyke in September 2021, I studied an Undergraduate and two Postgraduate degrees in Sport and PE at the University of Bedfordshire. Sport has always been a huge passion of mine throughout my life, especially football and trampolining, and teaching has allowed me to pass on that passion to younger students within Physical Education.
In my spare time, I love to stay fit active by attending the gym and playing semi-professional football on the weekend. I’m also a huge Arsenal fan, and enjoy watching them play when I can outside of work. Aside from sport, I really enjoy music and also have an incredible group of friends and family around me that I enjoy spending time with.
As Head of House, I’m incredibly lucky to work at a school like this one, as well as being associated with Mary Seacole. Seacole was known for being committed, organised, and empathetic throughout her life which acts as a perfect role model for all students at Vandyke.
