Hidden Heroes
St Sampson's - Infant School



They finish work early every day, except that is when they are on holiday which is more often than most of us could ever dream of – teachers have got it easy, right? Wrong!

GBG, as always, likes to look a little deeper and we are always taken aback with the extra work and effort that all of our local teachers put into their careers, as well as all of the people they round up to help keep their schools going. At every school you will find not one, but many hidden heroes.

As a child you will remember looking up to teachers at times and, if truth be told, not liking them all that much at other times – but, one thing is clear, we all remember them! Our childhoods mould us and teachers are a big and important part of that.



Who often becomes a role model? Who needs to be firm but loving and kind but a disciplinarian? Who organises school concerts and nativity plays? And last, but not least, who needs a whole load of patience?

GBG caught up with Anne Brouard, head of St Sampson’s Infant School, to tell her why we at GBG considered all of our local teachers heroes. Her school is certainly in the headlines at the moment and it was a timely boost for them to receive the recognition as GBG Hidden Heroes on behalf of all Guernsey schools.

GBG enjoyed a tour of the school. Anne’s passion and warmth when she spoke about the teachers and the pupils was obvious. Anne was quick to highlight the contribution made by all her teachers and quash one of the myths about them. “Teachers regularly work outside their normal hours to prepare for their lessons,” she explained. “When you walk into a classroom you see the current themes for lessons, what you don’t see is the teacher working very long hours to create that classroom; when you listen to those wonderful Christmas carols that are always a delight to hear, you don’t see the teachers that give up their own family time to make it happen”.



GBG can certainly vouch for this because although it was nearly five o’clock when we left the school, all of the teachers were still there and all of the classrooms were still a hive of activity although all the pupils had gone home long ago.

“Teaching is a very rewarding job but you need to be a special kind of person,” insists Anne. “Teachers need to gain the trust of all pupils and they handle each child as a person in their own right”.

The story does not end with the teachers and when we quizzed the St Sampson’s Infant School headteacher as to the amount of people that give their time freely to help our local children outside the call of duty. GBG thinks that Anne even surprised herself.



Teaching assistants, caretakers, admin assistants, dinner ladies, PTA members, Rev Baskerville – the minister for St Sampson’s, the Siroptomists that help children in their own time, the Guernsey French club helper – the list goes on and on.

“When you see a child doing well with reading, you don’t see the helpers that come in to the school in their own time to help the children reach the level where they need to be,” says Anne. “So many people give so much free time to help the pupils, it is really is touching. If I could name them all individually, I would, but there are simply too many”.

But the pupils are also taught to help others too, especially around Christmas time. They are taken to Jubilee House and Rodley Park where they meet the residents and sing Christmas carols to them. The pupils are also encouraged to fundraise by taking part in BBC Children in Need and other initiatives.

GBG was truly impressed. The teachers and volunteers do not only give ‘hours’, they give their ‘heart’ to make the school what it is. This is why St Sampson’s Infant School and everyone involved in all schools on the island deserve a round of applause and the title of heroes.