Who's Who?

Mr Athanasiou

Head Teacher

Mr Athanasiou is our Head Teacher. The children know him as 'Mr. A.' He has taught every year group during his career which has spanned over 14 years. He enjoys teaching a variety of subjects and insists that staff use all of learning environments the school has to offer. It is his job to keep the children safe alongside all of the other staff. He loves to talk to people so please come in and see him, anytime.

Favourite movie: Mrs Doubtfire

Favourite book:  Revolting Rhymes

Favourite food: Greek vine leaves.

Favourite song: It is too embarrassing!

Miss Reis

Deputy Head - Eagle Class

Miss Reis is our Eagle Class (Year 5&6) teacher and the Deputy Head. She studied Chemistry and Maths at University of Sheffield, before her PGCE in Portsmouth. She is very passionate about reading and phonics. Miss Reis looks after English in our school.

Favourite movie: Singin' in the rain

Favourite book: Anything by Roald Dahl

Favourite food: Mrs Wain's Chicken pie! 

Favourite song: That'll Be The Day By Buddy Holly

Mr Laing

Class Teacher. - Puffin Class

Mr Laing is our Puffin Class (Year 1&2) teacher. He studied at UEA and brings a wealth of experience as a teacher. He has a particular interest in Maths and Sport. Mr. Laing always delivers exciting lessons, he is very skilled at making learning memorable and 'hands on'. We love his assemblies! Mr Laing looks after Maths in our school. 

Favourite movie: Star Wars, or The Breakfast Club or Three Colours Blue 

Favourite book: Farmer Duck, or The War of The Worlds, or The Grapes Of Wrath.

Favourite food: Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza,  Buffalo mozzarella and Pepperoni pizza.

Favourite song: Happy by Pharrel, or Hurt by NIN/Johnny Cash, or Shine on You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd

Mrs Armstrong

Class Teacher- EYFS Robin Class

Mrs Armstrong has a B.Ed (hons) degree in Biology and Education. She has a vast amount of experience in teaching and is an early years specialist. Mrs Armstrong creates exciting learning journeys for the children in her care ensuring she uses both indoor and outdoor learning environments. Mrs Armstrong looks after humanities in our school. 

Favourite movie: Chocolat

Favourite book: Hounds of the Morrigan (Pat O'Shea)

Favourite food: Raspberries and chocolate

Favourite song: Spectrum (Florence and the Machine)

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Miss Swain

Class Teacher - Swift Class

Miss Swain is our Swift class (Year 3&4) teacher and has a B.Sc. (hons) degree in Biochemistry and a P.G.C.E (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) from Cambridge University. Miss Swain really enjoys teaching and regularly gives children opportunities that are 'outside of the box'. Miss Swain looks after the arts in our school. 

Favourite movie: Tangled 

Favourite book:  Beyond the Deep Woods by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell 

Favourite food: Macaroni cheese

Favourite song: Tightrope from The Greatest Showman

Mrs Murrell

Mrs Murrell teaches in all classes. She joined Great Sampford in September 2008 and has been teaching for fourteen years in total.  Mrs Murrell has a B.Sc. (hons) degree in Maths and Statistics from Anglia Ruskin University and a P.G.C.E (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) from Cambridge University. Mrs Murrell also looks after science in our school. 

Favourite movie: Jerry Macquire

Favourite book:  Room (Emma Donoghue)

Favourite food: Cake!

Favourite song: Paradise (Coldplay)

Miss Laidler

Higher Level Teaching Assistant - Puffin Class

Miss Laidler is a Teaching Assistant in Puffin Class. Miss Laidler has the Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification. 

Favourite movie: The Green Mile

Favourite book: Watership Down (Richard Adams)

Favourite food: Indian

Favourite song: Take me to Church (Hozier)

Miss Mitchell

Higher Level Teaching Assistant- Eagle Class

Miss Mitchell is a Teaching Assistant in our Year 5/6 Class with Miss Reis and has been at Great Sampford since September 2006. Miss Mitchell has the Higher Level Teaching Assistant qualification. 

Favourite movie: Lion

Favourite book: Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien)

Favourite food: Fish Fingers Sandwiches (with salad cream of course!)

Favourite song: Our House (Madness)

Mrs Hale

Teaching Assistant - EYFS

Mrs Hale is a Teaching Assistant in our EYFS Class with Mrs Armstrong and has been at Great Sampford since September 2001. She has a particular interest in the children's voice and organises our School Council. She is also particularly interested in the outdoors and runs our Gardening Club as well as the knitting club. Mrs Hale is the best teaching assistant in Essex, she won the county wide award 2018! 

Favourite movie: Any James Bond Movie 

Favourite book: The Complete Guide to Self Sufficiency (John Seymour)

Favourite food: Spotted Dick and Clotted Cream or Cornish Pasty

Favourite song: Why (Tracey Chapman)

Mrs Mikkides

Teaching Assistant - Swift Class

Mrs Mikkides is a Teaching Assistant in Swift Class. She enjoys working with all of the children and has a particular interest in phonics and reading. Mrs Mikkides encourages the children to keep going, she runs a sewing club. 

Favourite movie: Up

Favourite book: Black Beauty

Favourite food: Chinese

Favourite song: Happy

Mrs Taylor

Learning Mentor

Mrs Taylor takes care of us all. She enjoys working with every child in the school and supports our wellbeing. Mrs Taylor helps us to believe in ourselves knowing that we can do anything! She makes us feel unstoppable...