It was with regret that we learnt that Anne Brenchley, who taught at the School from 1999 to 2002, had passed away on 9th September 2023. We are grateful to Annie Wilkinson (Staff 1984-2016) who has provided the following tribute:

"Times were hard for Anne growing up, she passed the 11 plus but could not take up the place offered, as the family couldn’t afford the uniform. She realised that education was important, studied hard and was offered a place at Chelsea College, but had to work for a year to buy all that was needed before she started.

A love of sport and education made Anne the committed, professional teacher that came to Sutton Valence School to help run girls’ games and P.E. on a part-time basis. She stayed despite making her junior girls run for cover when she encountered the CCF for the first time. However, it quickly became apparent that Anne was not a part-timer as she became Head of Girls’ Games and a First/Second Year tutor.

Anne was always eager to give the girls as much match experience as possible and to ensure not only their fitness, but a scrupulously fair-minded attitude to competition was followed, where a win is a happy outcome not an arrogant expectation. Girls’ sport flourished and our girls’ teams were respected throughout Kent. She reintroduced Sports Day at Sutton Valence School, which was superbly organised and the medal ceremony afterwards was always a happy occasion.

During her time with us she suffered a painful abscess on her Achilles’ tendon and underwent several operations. She was impatient to return to the job she loved and with her specially ‘modified’ trainer hobbled back to work. It was this determination to overcome adversity that helped her with her battle against Motor Neurone Disease never wanting to give in to it. Sadly, it is neurodegenerative and as her condition worsened she found strength in her faith and was so grateful for those who visited and joined her in prayers. Anne passed away on 9th September 2023. We offer our sympathy to her husband Peter, her sons Paul and Steve and their families at this sad time."