Staff Profile

Anne Lynch - Dean of Students (Clemes)

How long ago did you join The Friends' School?

I started teaching at Friends in 2001. 

What has been exciting for you this year?

The most exciting thing is always seeing people learn and learning more about people. This year I have really enjoyed the interactions in my classes and around Clemes in general.  Working with the Road Safety Task Force has been meaningful and Fraser’s interactions as a therapy dog have been great to witness. Helping international students to settle into a new culture is always a great feeling.

When did you know you wanted to become a teacher?

At the end of Year 11, I was considering offers of future work for Law and Banking but, for me, the thought of working with young dynamic people in a learning environment where I would also be working alongside colleagues who had expertise in such a wide variety of areas was more appealing to me. 

Where is your favourite place in the world?

I love to travel, but sitting in the airport lounge at the start of the return journey I always stop to be grateful that I am returning to the place I love most. Speaking other languages always gives you a greater insight into other countries and cultures.  When I go back to Japan or France I feel like I am returning to my second homes - that’s also special. 

Why Friends? 

I was always keen to come to Friends' to teach because I was regularly impressed by the ethical values and the strong sense of civic and social purpose that I found in its past students when I met them. I was also aware of its prominence for language teaching.

Who is your "hero"? 

When I was a university student there was an SBS programme where the presenter would engage everyday people that he randomly came across in the street and talk with them about what was happening in their lives.  This programme left an indelible impression on my memory as it made me realise that there is something of the hero in all of us when we deal with the challenges of life.  Modern media often makes us overlook the power of the everyday hero.