Welcoming the new Secondary staff - 2020/21

Damian Blanchard

Hi my name is Damian Blanchard I was born in England, went to University in Leeds but since graduating I have lived in Japan, Poland and Peru.  I have a wife and four children.  Three of them will be attending St Julians which I am very excited about.
I will be teaching IB Economics, Business and Management and IGCSE Business at St. Julian’s and I will also be taking on the position of Head of Humanities
Previously I have been teaching IB Economics for the last 10 years and have previously also taught IGCSE Business Studies.  Recently I completed my Masters in Educational Leadership and have a real interest in explicitly teaching skills to help young people succeed. From a professional perspective, I am hoping that St Julians will be an open and collaborative teaching environment where professionals are sharing best practice.  From a personal point of view, I hope that my own children look forward to going to school each day and develop friendships that last a lifetime.

Leonie O'Keefe

My name is Leonie O'Keefe and I am originally from the UK but was raised in the Algarve, Portugal from an early age and attended high school at Escola Internacional São Lourenco.  My family still live in the Algarve after 30 years, and I love living in Portugal and experiencing Portuguese culture.
I will be the new St. Julian’s Head of Chemistry and I have been a teacher for 10 years; 4 years in the UK and 6 years at an International school in Dubai.
I am really excited to be joining the team at St Julians and working with the wonderful students.  I know this year will present its challenges due to Covid, however I know that with continued hard work and positivity we will have a very successful year ahead.

Jacob Thorpe

Hello my name is Jacob Thorpe and I teach history and mostly specialise in modern/early modern social history. I studied History at the University of Portsmouth and am currently completing a Masters degree at University College London alongside working at St Julians. 
I previously worked at Croydon High School, an independent all girls’ school in Croydon, London 
I will be teaching History to years 7-12 
I am very excited to begin working at St Julian’s! I am excited to be working in such an inclusive and forward thinking school with such a stellar reputation in both Portugal and the international community. 

Helen Waywell

My name is Helen Waywell, from the UK and I moved to Portugal in July with my husband.I am the new Teacher of Business and Economics, Year 12 Form Tutor and I have been teaching IGCSE and IB Economics and Business for over 10 years and have worked in the UK, Malaysia and Dubai.
I am really looking forward to teaching students from so many different nationalities and inspiring them to love Economics and Business as much as I do!