Our new Heads of School have been appointed for the academic year 2026/2027! Mesha and Harry will take on the roles of Heads of School, while Vir and Ralph are our new Deputy Heads of School. We asked them a few questions to get to know them as they start their new roles...

Mesha

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

I joined Bede's in Year 7. Moving from Uganda during Covid to finally attending school in person, I threw myself into every opportunity. I loved joining different extra curricular activities like cricket and hockey - Bede's has helped me grow my love for sport. Joining Bede's has blessed me with the opportunity to meet such a special group of friends who I believe I will keep for life.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I am looking forward to meeting people I would not usually meet and helping as many of them as I can, and hopefully give them that sense of belonging that I got when I first joined. I am also looking forward to being someone who the younger pupils can look up to. Additionally, I am looking forward to working with the prefect team to make Bede's an even better community.

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

If I could travel to any period of time I would travel to the late 90s/early 2000s because in this period of time there was a perfect balance between emerging technology and uninterrupted physical social interaction which we don't have much of these days.

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list? (max. 5 people - can be dead or alive)

My top picks for my party guest list would be Ruby Bridges - to listen to her sharing her wisdom and hearing her story first hand. Barack Obama - to hear about the different ways lead and how he was able to overcome some difficult challenges. David Attenborough - I think he is such an interesting person and hearing about the most intriguing things he has seen or his favourite episode to narrate. Lastly, I would invite my grandmother because she never fails to make me laugh. 

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

If I had to pick one film, it would have to be the movie 'Home' because it never fails to entertain me even after watching it so many times. For my album of choice, it would be 'The Art of Loving' by Olivia Dean because her songs can fit any occasion. The one book I would take would be the Bible because if there is anything I need to learn about how to lead my life I can get it from there!

 

Harry

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

I joined Bede’s in the Sixth Form this year and I've enjoyed all the opportunities that have come my way. Whether it be playing on some amazing football pitches, experimenting in the lab or relaxing in house; Bede’s has welcomed me warmly, allowing me to make new friends and memories along the way. I'm really grateful for everyone in Deis and all the staff for helping me overcome challenges and fostering an enjoyable learning environment.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I'm really looking forward to working with the team of prefects to implement exciting ideas and to solve problems. Also, being a role model is important to me: I want to show other pupils that just because you don't succeed at first, that doesn't mean you will always fail. The most important thing is to put in the effort to give yourself the best opportunity. Finally, it will be interesting working with the new Year 7 & 8 pupils that will be joining the school after we leave. I hope we can show them how great Bede’s is!

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

If I could go to any period, I would go back to when I was in Year 5. For me, I miss the different types of fun and the idea of still being able to grow up. With the knowledge I have now, I would definitely do some things differently. However, I don't have many regrets as the paths I chose to take have led me to where I am today. But, I still wished I lived in the moment more and appreciated being young.

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list?

I think I'll have to pick Messi as my football idol; his work rate and desire to achieve his goal is second to none, he doesn't let challenges get in the way, so talking to him and learning about his attitude would be interesting. Also having Roy Keane around is always entertaining as he always has something to say. On the same theme, having dinner with Tony Morriss would be funny and also to hear about his entrepreneurship journey as well. Finally I would invite Queen Elizabeth II as she lived a long and eventful life so I think she would have many stories to tell.

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

If I could pick only one book I would pick ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’. The first time I read this book I couldn't put it down so this should keep me busy reliving his adventures. For a film, I would pick ‘Oppenheimer' as it is truly thought provoking. I've watched this a few times and it never fails to make me think after; I still don't think I completely understand everything in the film so it’s ideal to kill some time! I'm a big Drake fan so I think I would have to choose something from him for my album of choice. ‘Thank Me Later’ is a good choice as I never get tired of listening to his older songs.

 

Vir

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

I joined Bede’s in Year 10. Before that, I lived in Spain. Joining Bede's was also my first time living in England. Since I joined, I have always tried to take every opportunity that the School has offered me. Bede’s has always made me feel very welcomed and has helped me push myself outside my comfort zone. On top of that, I have met some great people that have supported me throughout my time here. 

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I am mostly looking forward to working with the school prefects to leave an impact on the School. I want to encourage everyone at the School to take every opportunity that they can. I will listen to opinions to see if we can improve things to make Bede’s an even better place. 

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

I think that if I could travel to one period of history, I would travel to Ancient Greece. I would want to see all the cool structures that they built and how they looked when they were first built. Also, I would like to see how they lived back then without technology.

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list? 

First I would choose Almudena Cid. She was a Spanish gymnast that went to 4 different Olympics and is still involved in the gymnastics world in other ways. Since I was very young, she has been a role model for me. The second person that I would choose is Christina Koch. She went on the last Artemis mission, Artemis II, and she travelled the furthest away from Earth. I think it would be very interesting hearing her talk about her amazing experience.

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

If I had to pick one film I would choose 'Top Gun'. I watched it a couple years ago for the first time and I didn’t think I was even going to like it but I ended up really enjoying it. For a book, I would choose “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by John Boyne. It is a very sad story but it shows how much people suffered during WW2 and it made me realise how lucky I am to live in the current day. As my album of choice, I would choose 'Debi tirar mas fotos' from a latinoamerican singer that I really like at the moment. 

Ralph

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

I arrived at Bede’s in Year 9 and since then I feel I have changed out of recognition. The opportunities provided to me; whether that be on the cricket field, in the classroom or playing the trumpet. My journey I believe fully took place in my start to Sixth Form, where I was given the opportunity to give back to the school that has shaped my life so much. 

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

Providing others with the same sense of belonging I feel at Bede’s. Being able to make a positive impact on people’s lives and having the amazing prefect team to help me do this with, will be something really special. Something I will look back on later and be really proud to say I have done.

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

The late 19th Century as this was the time period that William Morris’ Arts and Crafts design movement was most prominent. Not only would this be fascinating to witness first-hand but it would have the side benefit of making my Design and Technology coursework easier.

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list?

Joe Root, an inspiration of mine growing up. Not only England's all time runscorer in cricket history, but also widely renowned as one of the nicest cricket players to play the game. An evening quizzing him on his career would be a dream come true. 

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

The book would be 'How To Build A Boat' by Elain Feeney.
The film would be 'Kon-Tiki', a true story depicting the ancient techniques of navigation in a voyage across the pacific.
My album of choice would be 'Radical Optimism' by Dua Lipa, something that I’m sure will deteriorate during my journey.