Returning to teach at your former school offers a unique perspective. As both an Old Brightonian and a member of the Common Room, Yvonne Helmore (Se. 2008-17) has experienced Brighton College from both sides of the teacher's desk. We caught up with her to reflect on her time as a pupil, the experience of returning as a teacher, and the memories that still take her straight back to her school days.
You walked through the College gates as a pupil and now return every day as a teacher. What still feels exactly the same, and what surprises you most about how the school has changed?
What feels exactly the same is the friendly environment, from both pupils and staff. The pupils are still just as chatty and approachable as I remember, and everyone is every bit as busy. When I was a pupil, my friends and I were constantly involved in music, sport, drama and everything else we could fit in, so it's wonderful to see that culture still thriving today.
The most obvious change is the campus itself. I remember some of the building projects beginning during my time as a pupil, but it's still remarkable to see how much the College has developed over the years.
Before returning, I wondered whether it would feel strange teaching in the same place where I'd spent five years as a pupil. In reality, the building I teach in didn't even exist when I was here, so it feels like a completely new experience while still retaining a strong sense of familiarity.
When today's pupils discover that you're an Old Brightonian, what do they most want to know about your time at the College?
The two questions they always ask are, "What house were you in?" and "Are there any teachers still here who taught you?"
I think the house question is particularly relatable. I spent so much time in Seldon, so it's nice to share stories about what life was like there as a pupil. They also find it fascinating that some of the teachers who taught me are still here today. There's something rather special about coming full circle and becoming a colleague of people who once taught you.
Pupils are often surprised when they find out I'm an Old Brightonian, but I think it also reassures them when I say I understand what they're going through. Having experienced the same balancing act between academic work and extracurricular activities, I genuinely do know what it's like.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice as a Brighton College pupil, what would it be?
Perhaps an unexpected one: learn the art of saying "no". I did a lot of music and sport, and there were times when I felt pulled in too many directions at once. Learning to juggle different commitments is an important skill, but so is recognising that you can't do everything.
I sometimes worried about letting people down by turning opportunities down, even when my schedule was already full. I'd tell my younger self that it's okay to be selective about where you invest your time and energy. You don't have to say yes to everything in order to make the most of the opportunities available to you.
Physics can help us understand some of the biggest mysteries in the universe. Do you have a favourite topic to teach?
My favourite topics are particle physics and quantum physics at A-level. The A-level course allows you to explore ideas in far greater depth than at GCSE, and I particularly enjoy helping pupils move beyond hearing terms such as quarks, antimatter and quantum phenomena to understanding what they actually mean.
These topics offer a fascinating insight into what happens on the smallest scales imaginable and how that helps shape our understanding of the universe as a whole.
Are there any school traditions, places or memories that instantly transport you back to your own days as a pupil?
There are several places that immediately take me back. Seldon is certainly one of them, as I spent so much time there with friends and have many happy memories of those years.
I also spent countless hours in the various music buildings. Whether practising for concerts or simply improvising songs with friends, some of my fondest memories were made in those music rooms.
One event I always remember is the official opening of the Clock Tower. The whole school gathered in the Quad and, in the weeks leading up to it, we learned a choreographed song and dance during lessons. With abseilers unveiling the tower and a horse-drawn carriage involved, it was wonderfully eccentric and unmistakably Brighton College.
And finally… now that you've experienced Brighton College from both sides of the teacher's desk, what is the one thing you wish every Old Brightonian knew about the College today?
First, that the College still loves a commemorative mug! The collection I've accumulated over the years is becoming quite impressive, and the opening of the Cairns Building recently added another to the shelf.
More seriously, what has struck me most since returning as a teacher is just how invested the staff are in every pupil's success. I remembered the College fondly as a pupil, but seeing things from the other side has given me an even greater appreciation of the time, thought and care that teachers devote to helping young people make the most of every opportunity, both inside and outside the classroom.