Elizabeth Cairncross

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Elizabeth Cairncross, born St. Annes's Bay, Jamaica in 1957, has dedicated much of her life to education and her writing on the subject is commonplace in learning institutions and has been referred to by some of the great educators of the last century. She was, as a child, particularly influenced by the Rastafarian religious movement, and writes extensively on the advantages in bringing the principles of this sect into educational practice. Her forward-thinking pedagogical work has led her as far afield as Kabala, Sierra Leone, where as part of a six month sabbatical from her post as Head Teacher at Wells Cathedral School, she penned an extensive study into the use of Black Magic in traditional Western African parenting. This undoubtedly influences her classroom methods today.

From the ages of eighteen to twenty five she lived in the USA, studying English Literature and Psychology at Harvard University. It was during these university years that she developed her interest in American Sports. During a sermon given at Wells Cathedral, she once spoke of her time as the leading pitcher, in her rookie season (1976), for the University baseball team. As a young woman, her passion centred on English Literature, and she continues to voice her fascination of words to her pupils today. "The desire to continue working with English and communicate this love of literature and words ultimately inspired my decision to become a teacher."

Although all her efforts are nowadays focused on her role at Wells, a post she has filled since joining the school in 2000, Elizabeth, in her youth, was an affluent member of major Magic Societies, not least the The Magic Circle. It was her ability to combine and reconcile talents as a performer (both of sports and magic), educatonial brilliance, and strong spiritual ethos, that can be seen as responsible for her successful career today.

Aside from her role as discipliner and role model, pupils look up to her as "a figurehead of sophistication and culture" (anon. Y11 Pupil). She is well versed and has a detailed knowledge of all the arts including dance, singing, and acting, and has in recent years displayed her abilities to her Wells pupils at various talent nights. She is also referred to affectionately as the redoubtable Queen of Anecdotes.

Since 2005, she has been a guest speaker at a number of infamous societies, including the Wells Rotary Club, Kudos DJ Selection Committee (K.D.S.C), and the Wells Literary society.