Alumni

 Clover Kayne  (2010 - 2017)

Past student Clover Kayne sings the lead role in the opera Ariodante (Handel) at the Royal Academy of Music, London

Rachel Cooper (2005 - 2012)

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) presented its fifth annual Women in Classical Music Symposium from 12 to 15 November at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Centre in Dallas, TX.

As part of the symposium, the Award of Excellence honouree chooses a recipient for the Emerging Artist Award, which comes with a cash award. Benedetti has chosen Rachel Cooper, a violin teacher dedicated to creating fun and meaningful ways to teach young people core technical and musical foundations.

’I always remember the first time I saw Rachel teach,’ said Benedetti, elaborating on her choice. ’She has an uncompromising dedication to her craft, endless energy to problem solve for her students, and despite a relentless seriousness in expecting the best from young people, she manages to keep everyone uplifted, dedicated and in a spirit of belief and positivity.

’Teaching is far more than a job for Rachel, and she is an inspiration to all of us. We have to uphold the value of great teachers and celebrate when they do great work. This is why I am so proud this award is going to a shining beacon in the world of music education.’

Since graduating with master’s from the Royal College of Music in 2014, Cooper has built up a varied portfolio of teaching. She is a trained Suzuki violin teacher working as a violin/viola and chamber music coach at Junior Guildhall, a violin teacher for London based charity Music Masters and a violin tutor, mentor and teacher trainer for the Benedetti Foundation. Cooper runs a string course called VIVAStrings in Wiltshire each summer for eight to fifteen-year-olds.

’This award will give me an opportunity to feed my own professional development, as well as start putting together my ideas for a book,’ said Cooper. ’For many years I have been fascinated with the way teachers create magic and facilitate the best instrumental learning.

 Rachel Cooper with Nicola Benedetti who also won an award at this event

Benjamin Canares  (1996 - 2003)

“Attending St Augustine’s Sixth form was a formational experience for me. I studied English, Art, Psychology and Media Studies and made lasting friendships. The school environment was warm and supportive, but also encouraged a sense of independence - setting me up brilliantly for both uni, and life in London” 

Benjamin Canares is currently Fashion Editor at The Financial Times HTSI magazine. Since primary school, he has been devoted to fashion and magazines. Ben has worked with many of the world leaders in the fashion industry, travelling the world in the process. Most recently, he styled Lily Allen for the cover of HTSI magazine.  

 Melissa Kime (2000 - 2007)

“St Augustine’s was such a special place to go to school and it’s somewhere where I look back upon fondly; it filled me with an excitement and passion to learn and to create - to write stories, perform in plays, make paintings and become good at running the 1500 meters!  St Augustine’s helped me to achieve my dream in becoming an artist and provided the facilities in which to do so. The determination and hardworking ethics I learnt there have stayed with me, as well as that little touch of unique magic that I think the school has” Melissa Kime is a painter and lives and works in London, she graduated from the Royal Drawing School in 2011 and The Royal College of Art with an MA in painting in 2015. Melissa has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions and art fairs both in the UK and worldwide including Christies New York, ‘Bloomberg New Contemporaries’ for promising new graduates and most recently an exhibition called ‘Beyond the Gaze’ at the Saatchi Gallery in London.  Melissa has also contributed to various publications including ‘Our Isles’ and ‘Unpolished Magazine.’ 

James Otto   (2001 - 2008)

Abi Croker  (2007 - 2012)

“My years at St Augustine's is a time I remember with great happiness, creativity, and
respect. I have pursued a career in Climate and Environmental Science and Policy.
I received an MSc from King's College London and went on to lecture at Bournemouth
University on the Green Economy MSc. I am currently completing my PhD at the Centre
for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, in Wildfire Science and Conservation
Biology. My years at St Augustine's taught me to be confident, caring, and strong,
providing me with the skills to embark on independent research trips around the world -
and always make a friend!” 

Danielle Mansfield  (2015 - 2022)

“Going to the Sixth Form at St Augustine's was a valuable experience, especially
when it came to building that bridge between GCSE studies and beyond, which in
my case was going to university. Taking Biology, Chemistry and Maths definitely helped
familiarise me with some of the first-year content being taught on my BSc International
Wildlife Biology course. The support available from having smaller class sizes was
valuable as it enabled a more personal strengths/weaknesses development, and
this has transferred with me as well” 

                                             Tom Miller  (2004 - 2009)