Meet Ms Juliette de Souza Dark, Class Teacher. We were excited to sit down with her and learn more about her role and experience!

How long have you worked at the school?

I have been at Belmont for 8 years

What does your role involve?

My role is to oversee the use of digital technology in Lower School and offer the pupils new and creative ways to record and embed their learning. The pupils love working with digital technology and it'sa great way to promote communication, collaboration and creativity - all 21st Century skills.

What is the most rewarding moment you have experienced in your teaching career?

One of my most rewarding moments, was last summer, when a group of Year 5 girls came 2nd in a UK competition run by SKY and Adobe. They produced an amazing news report about the deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Any invaluable advice for our pupils to make the most of their time here?

Challenge yourself and embrace every opportunity, in all areas of the curriculum.

If you could go back in time and give advice to your first-year teacher self, what would you say?

Be confident enough to think outside of the box. Use your pupils as your starting point and consider what it is that engages them. Give them the chance to express themselves and to direct their own learning.

What inspired you to become a teacher, and has that inspiration changed over time?

It's a bit of a cliche, but I had the most incredible primary school teacher, called Mrs Rich. She was so inspiring, that the idea of working with young people and being a teacher was always on my mind, despite having different careers when I first started working.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities or clubs in school?

Yes anything sporty - netball and Athletics - I ran for Barnet Ladies.

Can you tell us something that we might not know about you?

I was a magazine journalist and I worked at BBC Documentaries as a Producer/Director.