Mike Bunting 3rd July 2023

Back in March 2015, I had applied for a variety of teaching positions as I planned to return from a stint in an international school in Cyprus. I was shortlisted for positions at two schools. I only needed to attend one of them... That cold Monday morning, I was struck by the warmth and openness offered to me by Bobbie and the staff at Sun Academy. It was as if her essence was part of each and every member of staff. So, when I got the offer of a position, I didn't even hesitate in accepting. Bobbie certainly was someone willing to take a punt. From offering a teaching position to an overseas applicant, to placing me in Y6 teaching English (which I had never done before) to somehow bagging me a place on a Discovery Education convention in Chicago, my early days at Sun were a blur. But what a blur! I reached a confidence in teaching that someone like Bobbie could inspire. She had that knack of ensuring you were on your toes when she was 'on a mission', motivating you when you needed to believe in yourself, and comforting you when life in general was getting too much. And this was despite all the pressures she had with overseeing Sun, Star, Phoenix, oh, and life... Very few people have the charisma, drive, compassion and heart that Bobbie had. I miss her terribly. What I wouldn't give to have one more of our 'chats' where we would talk about everything from teaching philosophy to wine-fuelled evenings. My deepest sympathies go to John, Thomasin and Seb as well as the extended family. Rest in peace the brightest sunbeam...xxxx