thank yous (schools)

Thank you so much for all you have done for Highgate and for the Pettitts this year. You are an extraordinarily committed, scholarly teacher: the focus and connection you bring both subject and individual are powerful and transformative. It is or could be intoxicating - and I know you work to the point of exhaustion - but you go about your work with such calm affection and touching interest in all those you meet that it’s nothing other than liberating and disarmingly exciting to be taught by you. High standards without fear of judgement. Wonderful. original message

(Adam Pettitt, Head of Highgate School)

I am super sad that I won’t be seeing your gorgeous smiley face around the corridors at school. You have been such a special teacher to me with making history of art such an amazing lesson last year and I will always remember all the special moments….I will also always remember how you were so kind and patient with me in year 8 when I was so naughty in Latin and so bad and you were continually nice and understanding. You are so super cool and I hope I can see you in the future for a drink. original message

Thank you for all you do for Highgate. I count myself very lucky to have two children in your classes: you have been utterly instrumental in converting them into passionate and committed Classicists, and they model themselves on you - meticulous, engaged, demanding and intellectually versatile. Your ability to engage with all pupils of all ages, but particularly with our youngest ones, means that your knowledge is infused with warmth and pitch perfect recognition of what is going on in their o-so fertile minds. original message

(Adam Pettitt, Head of Highgate School)

I hope you are doing well. I just wanted to email to introduce you to my new hamster which I have decided to name Hector, after my favourite Iliad character. They share a lot of the same characteristics actually; brave, caring and very very cute. I just hope he doesn’t meet the same end as the real Hector, my cat is a bit of an Achilles... Anyway, this is just proof of how much the Iliad had an effect on me and I am really missing our lessons.

Thank you for everything over the last year….I’m grateful for all the effort & passion you put into studying Antigone (it truly is an extraordinary play); you’ve left me with a deep curiosity about women in Greek literature… original message

I would like to thank you for these last five years of Greek that you have taught me. From Herodotus all the way through to Xenophon, I am extremely grateful for your teaching and for fostering my passion for Classics to the highest extent. I would also like to thank you for putting up with my stubborness with regards to changing my essay-writing technique. 

I think you are an exceptional thinker, reader, teacher and adviser. I feel privileged to have been taught by you finally this year. How you visualise Homer – and how you generally can see writing in cinematic snapshots – is a tremendous gift. original message

thank yous (ithaca)

I just got my grades back and am absolutely thrilled with my Classical Civilisation result. I’ve absolutely love studying this year and this is just the icing on the cake. Thank you so much for your helpful feedback and support after mocks (and year round) that allowed me to reach my full potential. You really are a fantastic teacher that makes learning engaging, fun and ever so interesting! Also, you’ll be glad to hear I got into Bristol to study Classical Civilisation!! (Kelly) 

Ithaca Coaching has been hugely helpful to our daughter in helping her present the best possible reflection of her capabilities, ambitions and qualities in the University Personal Statement process.  Melissa enabled her to show not only how she differentiated, but also how she would be an asset to the university.  As a result of Melissa’s process of listening, thoughtful suggestions and honing the statement, our daughter received 5 offers.  This would not have happened without Ithaca Coaching’s process and direction. (The Keiths)

Melissa helped my son George with his Personal Statement. He applied to five universities and got five offers - including Edinburgh which he wanted to go to above all. He was so excited to get the offer especially since the year before only one student at his school received an offer from Edinburgh. I have no doubt it was in part down to the quality and delivery of his Personal Statement. So a big thank you to Melissa. (James D)

Under Melissa’s mentoring, I got all A*s and received a place from Cambridge to study Classics. She is the perfect guide through the process of applying to university and through public exams, but she is also a lot more than that. She single-handedly took my interest in Classics to a true love for the subject and I couldn’t wish for a better teacher. (Lara)

Melissa worked with our son for his A level History of Art - and she was fantastic.

I think she was as invested as he was -  she was so engaged, so interested and worked so hard. He really felt he had someone on his side, someone who had his back, making sure he would get there in the end. She helped him plan his work, providing plenty of encouragement and motivation as well as teaching him in a very engaging and stimulating way. All this resulted in him feeling not only had he learnt a lot of history of art, but he had built up self confidence in his work,  having learnt how to effectively study - and is all the better prepared for university. And he got the result he needed! It was such a pleasure to work with her helping our son.

Thank you Melissa for all your work! (Jude)

From a parent perspective, I would wholeheartedly endorse Melissa as both an inspiring coach and first-rate Classics tutor.  Melissa is a lovely person combining high intellect with top-rate emotional intelligence.  Helping with both Classics tutoring and personal coaching, she has helped our son navigate effectively the often challenging A Level period from both a work, and a holistic, perspective. Her encouraging and engaging style really resonated with him so he felt heard and valued. He will carry forward Melissa’s wise counsel but is also reassured in the knowledge that he can reach out for future guidance. (LM)