Val Hennessy

Val Hennessy
Director

As another summer season approaches, I find I am looking forward to it more than I have for several years. It really feels like we have turned a corner in business terms.

Life has returned to something approaching normal. I am still running, although I have no upcoming races and I now think it is unlikely that I will ever do a half-marathon. However, I enjoy the activity and it gives me much needed thinking time, so races or not, I intend to continue. Marcel and I are still dancing at least twice a week. It is wonderful to have things to do which help you to focus your mind on something other than work. When I dance, dancing is all there is. It is like meditation in movement.

Both children are back home for the summer and both working for us at the school. And we need them there. I am a firm beleiver in young people and I like to have as many as possible at IH Bristol. Nothing beats their enthusiasm, their energy and their unwavering belief that the best is yet to come. It helps me to remember that life is still an adventure and I am still a part of it.

I have also made a return to the classroom. I realised that a hightlight of every day was interacting with our students and decided that I would offer free classes addressing language issues raised by students. I love it. It brings back why I set up the school in the first place and shows me that we can make a difference.

2023 has also seen us continue with our refugee work and this, too, is a wonderful way to remind myself not just how lucky I am but how much difference I can make. Seeing our refugees go on to find jobs, enter the health service or go into further education is uplifting. We all have the power to make the world a little better and I can see how I am doing just that.

This summer also marks my 20th wedding anniversary, which is a milestone. I can hardly believe I have been married that long and I can guarantee you that there will be a lot of celebrating. As it falls during July, an overseas trip is out of the question, but we are going to spoil ourselves for a weekend in the beautiful Peak District.

 

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Meet IH Bristol staff

Marcel Jansen
Director & IT
Pete Gibson
Principal and Director of Studies
Val Hennessy
Director
Sarah Kew
Accommodation and Welfare Officer
Beth Brown
EFL Teacher
Britta Priest
Office Manager
Charlie Abel
Administrator & IT Support
Charlie Marshall
Teacher & Head of Teacher Training
David Hazon
Head of Marketing & Sales
Jason Wong
Bookkeeper & Administrator
Joanna Thorpe
Senior Teacher for Teacher Development
Leander Winden
Head of Exams
Liliana Arango
Receptionist Administrator
Márie Hill
Senior Teacher
Patrick Rushforth
EFL Teacher
Saskia Jansen
EFL Teacher
Sana Abushama
OET Exams Officer