Staff - BJAB - British Junior Academy of Brussels

Our Staff

School Leadership

Mr Francis Retter, Headteacher

Francis Retter is a highly experienced educator, having worked in the independent and maintained sectors in the United Kingdom and Germany. He studied Modern Languages at the University of Exeter before completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of York. He holds a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Cambridge. He has significant experience in boarding and holds a diploma from the Boarding Schools Association. He and his wife both have experience of teaching and assessing GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, and the IB Diploma. He enjoys water sports, especially white water kayaking and canoe touring, football, cinema and literature.

Miss Victoria Cowx, Deputy Headteacher

Miss Victoria Cowx has a wealth of experience, teaching both internationally and in maintained sectors of the UK. Before becoming a teacher, she worked in Finance and as a Riding Instructor. She studied Primary Education at the University of Roehampton, has a Diploma in Inclusion from the University of Chester, is an accredited Dyslexia specialist and holds a Certificate in Competence in Educational Testing. She is currently completing a master’s at the University of Keele in Leadership and Education. Victoria enjoys mountain walks, is a keen equestrian and a creative sewist. 

Teaching Staff

Early Years Foundation Stages

Ms Caroline Petherick, Kindergarten Class Teacher

Ms Shannon McCarthy, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Mrs Cheryl Wells, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Ms Jo Lambrechts, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Ms Claire Bailey, Reception Class Teacher

Lower School

Years 1 – 4

Ms Shona Walker, Year 1 Teacher

Mr Luca Trivigno, Year 1 Teacher

Ms Beth Gape, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Ms Eleanor Street, Year 2 Teacher

Ms Lucy Greig, Year 2 Teacher

Ms Haylie Chang, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Mr Sandy MacDonald, Year 3 Teacher

Ms Lauren Payne, Year 3 Teacher

Ms Claudette Vancoillie, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Ms Natalie Pelczer, iPGCE trainee

Mrs Renata Cuigniez, Year 4 Teacher

Ms Molly Rogers, Year 4 Teacher

Ms Anne Loewenstein, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Prep School

Years 5 – 8

Mrs Debra Johnson, Year 5 Teacher

Ms Rachael Bland, Year 5 Teacher

Mr Tom Mitchell, Head of Physical Education & Year 6 Teacher

Ms Laura Whittaker, Year 6 Teacher & Art Specialist

Ms Laura Vanderbiest, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant & Drama Specialist

Ms Serena Grey, Learning Support and Teaching Assistant

Ms Megan Goodes, English & Humanities Subject Specialist

Mr Anthony Varden, Science & Mathematics Subject Specialist

Mr Thomas Wilkinson, Music Teacher

Ms Anita Sharma, Computing Specialist

Ms Judy Nesbit, Latin & Philosophy Specialist

Modern Foreign Languages

Ms Esther Rozenberg, Head of MFL

Mrs Itzie Scott, Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages

Ms Lea Desiderio, Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages

Ms Aimee Emeriau-Gurtner, Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages

Administrative Staff

Ms Justine de Maertelaere, Finance Officer

Ms Marisa Benitez, Personal Assistant to the Headteacher

Ms Ana Tesovic Geurts, School Office Assistant

Mrs Fiona Mace, Admissions Officer

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