School Staff
Headteacher – Mrs Rowen Prigg
Coming Soon!
Deputy Headteacher – Mrs Lisa Dines
Mrs Dines was born and raised in Essex. Before becoming a teacher, she had a ‘proper’ job in London! She was inspired to train to become a teacher when she saw the impact that great teachers had on her daughter when she started school. Mrs Dines worked at Sunnymede Junior School in Billericay before joining St. Michael’s, starting there as a student teacher and moved through the ranks to a Senior Leadership position. She enjoys going on warm summer holidays, reading, spending time with her family, going to the gym (reluctantly!) and eating chocolate (regularly, hence the gym!). She is delighted to be one of the new members of staff at St Michael’s.
Special Needs Co-ordinator – Jo Watts
Class Teachers
Mrs Orton
Mrs Orton grew up in Colchester before going to university in Norwich. She completed her teacher training at the University of East Anglia before gaining her first teaching post in Lawford, Essex. Her second post at East Bergholt Primary School enabled her to teach creatively and develop her skills in using drama and dance and a Mantle of the Expert approach. Mrs Orton aims to inspire a love of writing in her pupils. She is a keen poet and has a dream of publishing her very own novel one day. Travelling is another big passion and her classroom is a showcase of artefacts collected from many different countries.
Mrs Harriet Stevens
Mrs Stevens originates from Dorset but grew up near Epping Forest in Essex. Having Godparents who were, until recently, teachers encouraged her to consider a career herself as a primary teacher. This ambition became a reality once both of her children were happily attending Infant school. During this time she was able to undertake a Post Graduate Teaching Certificate course at Middlesex University. Prior to having a family, Mrs Stevens undertook some independent travel and voluntary work in Asia, Africa and Europe and worked predominantly in London, including a rewarding time at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Mrs Stevens really enjoys teaching and is especially inspired by the super children and her colleagues at St. Michael’s.
Mrs Bowcher
Mrs Bowcher was born and raised in Essex. Ever since starting school herself, she has always wanted to be a teacher. She studied Early Years and Education at Southend University then went on to gain a PGCE with Billericay Educational Consortium to fulfil her dream. Mrs Bowcher originally wanted to be a reception teacher but soon realised she loved the independence of children in Key Stage 2 so never returned to Early Years. Since teaching, she has worked at Bonnygate Primary School and Sunnymede Junior School before joining St. Michael’s. In her spare time, she loves listening to music (especially Busted), spending time with her dog Maggie, travelling, going to the theatre, eating chocolate and going to the gym.
Miss Morris
I was born and raised in Shenfield in Essex and grew up loving the outdoors, horse riding and travelling. As an adult I have continued to enjoy travelling and have acquired a love for unusual foods and love to cook and share meals with friends and family. I have two children 16 and 14 who also love to spend time outdoors. We often go geocaching (a bit like a treasure hunt). I qualified as a teacher once my children were at secondary school, this has allowed me to bring lots of life experience to my role at St Michael’s including seven years spent as an LSA at another Chelmsford school. It’s a privilege to be able to share my passions and interests with not only my own children but those that I teach too.
Mrs Rhianna Rodwell
Miss McManus was born in Dagenham and began her schooling there. Half way through her first year, she moved to Chelmsford and has lived there ever since! Miss McManus studied Business Studies at college and tried office work for a few months. She realised this wasn’t for her and carried on her education at Anglia Ruskin University where she gained her Early Years Professional Practise degree as a route into teaching. She went on complete her SCITT year through Essex Primary SCITT. Since qualifying, she has worked at a school in Hutton before joining St. Michael’s. In her spare time, she loves exploring new places and countries with her boyfriend, spending time with family and friends, going to the gym (occasionally) and eating anything sweet!
Lorraine Maxwell
I was born in Ilford but moved to Chelmsford and went to Moulsham High School where I discovered my passion for music and began to learn clarinet and piano. Inspired by a fantastic music teacher at Moulsham, I decided that I wanted to become a teacher myself. After A Levels I started a teaching degree but dropped out, switched my studies to Accountancy and worked in various financial settings for many years, I had the chance to give teaching a second go when my children were growing up, I returned to Anglia Ruskin and completed my PGCE in 2009 and have been happily teaching ever since. Aside from playing a variety of musical instruments (recorder, saxophone, clarinet, piano, ukulele, violin & a few others) I am a keen linedancer and have my own weekly class, I also enjoy sewing and crochet. I love animals, I am lucky enough to have a visiting family of hedgehogs which I have a house in my garden for. I share my house with my husband, two children, 4 cats, 1 bearded dragon and 2 fish…. life is never quiet for us!
Teaching Assistants
Catherine Cullen (HLTA) – Pastoral Care Manager
Marian Fletcher (HLTA)
Lorraine Maxwell (HLTA)
Helen Scott (HLTA)
Jemima Hanberger (HLTA)
Bev Hockey (HLTA)
Maria Lopez Berna (HLTA)
Learning Support Assistants
Sally Bangs
Sarah Bensusan
Colette Newman
Natalia Lack
Louise Wilson
Shireen Taverner
Emma Brown
Heidi Williams
Wrap Around Care Staff
Helen Scott
Tracey Diebelius
Amy Gordon
Sally Bangs
Louise Wilson
Sarah Bensusan
Kitchen Staff
Cilla Darvill
Sharon Stagg
Kim Faure
Midday Assistants
Shirley Brown
Donna Francis
Kim Ross
Emma Hunt
Maria Lopez Berna
Office Staff
Andrea Wolahan – School Business Manager
Admin Assistants
Catherine Abercromby
Krissie Thomson
Claire Mackintosh
Support Staff
Jonathan Tee – Site Manager
Cleaners
Shirley Brown
Wendy Martyn
Jackie Pearson